This scene, a conversation between two geriatric characters about their entrance into the Dionysiac worship and revelry, has been a subject of academic debate for well over a century. The fundamental issue is to what degree this episode should be interpreted as a comic scene, and if so, to what extent.
Our characters, for this first portion, are relatively important figures in the world of Greek mythology. Cadmus is the founder of Thebes, who emigrated from Phoenicia (modern Syria and Lebanon) and supposedly created some of the original citizens of Thebes by sowing a dragon's teeth into the earth. At this point, he has abdicated his power to his grandson Pentheus, the current king of Thebes. Tiresias is a famous, blind prophet probably best known in modern times for his appearances in the Oedipus cycle. Like many prophets in mythology, he continually gives good advice which is often ignored.
When this scene begins (or at least as it progresses), the characters are dressed in Dionysiac garb: fawnskin garment, crown of leaves, and thyrsus. Whether or not their costume is meant to be amusing in and of itself is unclear: Dodds believes it is not, although many scholars would disagree with him. As the old men are determined to go off and dance with the Bacchic revelers, they may provide additional humor with pathetic attempts to be nimble and energetic. However, it could be argued that the divine power of Dionysus has rejuvenated them and given them the ability to do so; the characters say as much.
Another interesting question is to what degree Cadmus and Tiresias are willing participants in the Bacchic ritual. Their commentary is laced with a subtle pragmatism: when Tiresias advises what is necessary to placate the god, Cadmus accepts without opposition. The fear of the divine, the unknown, is enough to motivate them both to enter into what seems like a crazy escapade. Dodds writes that they seem to not be motivated by faith (90); however, Greco-Roman religion was mostly transactional (I know I'm oversimplifying this), and "faith" per se was not as important as correct performance of ritual, which the two old men are tremendously concerned about.
170-214
(Enter Tiresias)
TIRESIAS: Who’s at the gates? Call Cadmus from the house,
the son of Agenor who, after he left the city of Sidon
behind, built towers around the city of Thebes
Somebody, go and let him know that Tiresias
is looking for him. He knows why I’ve come,
since, even though I’m old and he’s older, we agreed
to tie together thyrsoi and wear the hides of fawns
and to crown our heads with shoots of ivy.
(Enter Cadmus)
CADMUS: O, my dear Tiresias! When I listened and heard your voice,
the wise tongue of a wise man, I was inside the house.
I’m ready and I’m coming, wearing a god’s attire.
Dionysus – who is my daughter’s son, and who
revealed himself as a god to mortals- we have
to augment his great power as much as we can.
Where should we be dancing, where should we
set down our feet and shake our gray heads?
You, Tiresias, lead me forth, an old man
leading an old man. You’re wise. I hope I’ll
never tire of striking the earth with my thyrsus
all day and night. I’ve gladly forgotten that I’m old.
TIRESIAS: You’re feeling the same thing as me.
For I feel young and I’m going to try out the dances.
C: Shall we use a carriage to drive to the mountain?
T: But the god wouldn’t have the same honor.
C: Should I, even though we’re old, lead you there like a student?
T: The god will lead us there effortlessly.
C: Will we alone from the city dance for Bacchus?
T: We alone are in our right minds; the others are thinking poorly.
C: The delay is great; still, hold my hand.
T: Come, tie and bind our hands together.
C: Being born mortal, I don’t think ill of the gods.
T: We don’t make fancy arguments with the gods.
What was handed down from our fathers, which is as old as
time itself – no argument will overthrow these things,
not even if our minds discover something in the heights of cleverness.
Will someone say that I am dishonoring old age,
being about to dance and putting a wreath on my head?
If there must be the dance, the god does not distinguish
between those that are young and those that are old,
but he wants to take a common honor from everyone,
and wants to be exalted, making no distinctions.
C: Since you can’t see the light, Tiresias,
I’ll explain to you in words what I see. Pentheus,
the son of Echion, whom I gave rule over this land to,
is coming towards the palace, in haste,
as if he were terrified. What news will he tell us?
Notes:
Agenor is a Phoenician king, father of Cadmus and also of Europa, who was famously raped by Zeus (in both senses) in the form of a bull.
Sidon is a city in Phoenicia.
Echion is the son-in-law of Cadmus, husband of Agave, and father of Pentheus.
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