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Thyrsus
The ancient Greeks traditionally depict Dionysus’ human form as an effeminately beautiful young man, and hair was often grown long as a tribute to the gods. Thus, Dionysus’ long and luscious hair emphasizes his feminine grace and beauty, which, coupled with his more traditionally masculine characteristics, increases the sense of his sexual appeal and power. When the two cousins first meet, Pentheus is intrigued (and perhaps attracted) by Dionysus’ beautiful locks, eventually cutting them off in a vain attempt to exert his authority and “emasculate” Dionysus of his attractiveness. Later, when Pentheus has been convinced to dress a woman, he’s chiefly concerned with making sure his hair looks good, echoing back to suggest a subconscious desire for Dionysus—or to be like Dionysus—on his part in the earlier encounter. Euripides adds a final, cruelly ironic twist to this symbol during Pentheus’ death—Agave thinks Pentheus’ is some kind of mountain lion, probably confusing in her frenzy his womanly wig for a lion’s mane.
Hair Quotes in The Bacchae
The The Bacchae quotes below all refer to the symbol of Hair. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Lines 169 - 519 Quotes
They say some foreigner has arrived from Lydia:
one of those charlatan magicians
with blond hair that reeks of scent,
the flush of wine in his cheeks
and all the tricks of Aphrodite in his eyes.
Day and night he's with the women,
showing them his mysteries –
holding up his secret, for them to adore.
Once I catch him there'll be none of that tossing of locks
and waving of wands:
I'11take that head from off his body!
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This fleshes out Pentheus’ distrust and denial of Dionysus’ godliness. He thinks it’s all fraudulent magic and tricks rather than genuine displays of godly power. From a psychological standpoint, it’s interesting just how adamant Pentheus is in his criticisms of Dionysus—as if he is secretly fascinated by the god’s power over women and indulgence in wine. He also seems to be preoccupied with Dionysus’ appearance—although Pentheus currently thinks that Dionysus is a Dionysian priest, not the god himself. The mention of hair is significant as it’s a symbol of worship and virility. Subconsciously, Pentheus wants to castrate Dionysus—or the priest—by Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita
So. Not entirely unattractive—at least to women, I suppose,
which is why you’re here in Thebes.
Such long hair.
Not a wrestler then, I take it?
So long, it frames your cheeks.
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This quote comes from Pentheus’ first encounter with Dionysus, who is in disguise as a priest of his own religion. Dionysus’ mortal appearance is effeminate, graceful and undeniably attractive. Considering how much Pentheus professes to hate Dionysus and his ways, his admission that Dionysus is “not entirely unattractive” sounds like high praise indeed. Pentheus is quick to dispel any suggestions of homosexuality by adding the caveat, “to women, I suppose”—but the sense that the king is confused by feelings of physical attraction to Dionysus is certainly present. Pentheus’ question about wrestling is intended to put Dionysus down, implying that he Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nes
Lines 867 - 1022 Quotes
PENTHEUS
I see two suns in the sky;
two cities of Thebes, each with seven gates.
And you, my guide, you seem to be a bull.
Horns grow from your head.
Were you a beast all along? For you are a bull now.
DIONYSUS
The god is with us.
There were difficulties, but now we have a truce.
You see now what you should have seen before. The god.
PENTHEUS
So how do l look?
A little like Aunt Ino, or a bit more like my mother?
DIONYSUS
The very image of your mother, now I can see you plain.
But let me fix this curl that's come astray.
PENTHEUS
It must have been all that Bacchic ecstasy there in the palace.
I was shaking my head so much!
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This quote comes just after Dionysus and Pentheus have prepared Pentheus’ female disguise. It represents the height of Pentheus’ loss of rationality; Dionysus has been toying with the King by dramatically altering his form. Pentheus’ double vision demonstrates that he is losing his grip on reality. Dionysus even confesses to Pentheus that he is the god, rather than the Dionysian priest, but Pentheus is too preoccupied with his new outfit to even notice. Pentheus has clearly let loose a buried part of his psyche, wanting to look like either his mother or his aunt. Euripides underscores the irony of Pentheus’ Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque er
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Hair Symbol Timeline in The Bacchae
The timeline below shows where the symbol Hair appears in The Bacchae. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Lines 169 - 519
...look at Dionysus, saying that he is “not entirely unattractive” and praising his skin and hair. Pentheus interrogates Dionysus, who says he has come to Thebes to bring the rituals of...
(full context)
Dionysus’ evasiveness angers Pentheus. Pentheus cuts off Dionysus’ hair and snatches his thyrsus, before ordering him to be locked up. Dionysus warns Pentheus that...
(full context)
Lines 520 - 866
...he admits it makes sense. Dionysus instructs him to put on a “wig of flowing hair,” a dress that goes down to his feet, and a headdress. To complete the outfit,...
(full context)
Lines 867 - 1022
Dionysus fixes up Pentheus’ hair, which Pentheus says must have come loose in “all that Bacchic ecstasy there in the...
(full context)
