The Bacchae: Literature Technique Analysis

Jib
9:30 ACA
Literature can take consumers on a journey of wonder they could never know possible. Evident in
different perspectives like Non-Fiction to Fiction. From Historical to Sci-Fi, if the author is skilled
enough, they can make the readers feel a different emotion they’ve never known before. If we can feel
this connection to normal literature & everyday narrative expression, how powerful can sacred text be.
Commonly known sacred text are The Bible, Quran, or Vedas. Previous civilizations that predate us may
have their own type of sacred text or literature to represent their beliefs and gods. One of these pieces of
literature is The Bacchae, written by Euripides, a play that represents the rise and acknowledgment of
Dionysus, The Greek God of Fertility. Within this play, we get to know who Dionysus is and the impact
of his existence on the rest of the environment around him. Euripides connects to the watcher with his
descriptions and clear imagery of the physical and emotional environments of the characters. Euripides
uses several Greek literature skills to convey these images, skills that are still used today. Here they are
and an example:
Pathos (Emotion): An appeal to the audience’s emotions, aiming to evoke feelings such as
sympathy, fear, or anger to persuade.
Example: “Think of the innocent children who will suffer if we don’t act now.” This
statement evokes compassion and urgency to inspire action.
Logos (Logic): An appeal to reason and logic, using evidence, facts, or rational arguments to
make a case.
Example: “Studies show that students who sleep more perform better academically.” This
statement uses factual evidence to support the claim.
Ethos (Credibility): An appeal to the speaker’s own credibility, authority, or trustworthiness,
persuading the audience to trust their perspective.
Example: “As a doctor with 20 years of experience, I can assure you this treatment is
safe.” Here, the speaker’s credentials build trust in their recommendation.
Kairos (Timeliness): An appeal to the timeliness or appropriateness of the argument,
emphasizing that the moment is right for action or change.
Example: “With election day just around the corner, it’s time to decide who truly
represents our values.” This emphasizes the urgency of making a decision now due to
upcoming events.
Telos (Purpose): An appeal to the intended purpose or ultimate goal of an argument, highlighting
the end result or reason behind the speaker's message or actions. It often centers on what the
speaker hopes to achieve or why the argument matters in the bigger picture.
Example: “Our goal is to create a future where every child has access to quality
education.” This statement appeals to a shared vision or ultimate objective, making the
purpose of the argument clear.
With these skills it’s easier to identify the characteristics and environment of the story/ characters. If we
take an excerpt from The Bacchae, we can search for these skills. The lines 215-244, (when Pentheus is
expressing his resistance to Dionysus and his followers), is a scene with very heated emotion, it’ll allow
us to see these skills in action without much interpretation.
"This new god, whoever he may be—I’ll soon find out
for certain. He’s a fraud, a foreigner, who corrupts our
women with a new disease, a fever, and so pollutes our
beds. If I catch him under this roof, I’ll stop his
pounding thyrsus and his waving curls, and I’ll slice his
head right off his shoulders."
In this excerpt, Pentheus’s words and actions are detailed a very specific way to convey his mental state
and character. By using Logos, Pathos, Ethos and Kairos, it can identify what Pentheus wants to convey
to the person he’s speaking to and what the author wants the readers to know.
Logos: He tries to argue logically by describing Dionysus as a "fraud" and a "foreigner,"
dismissing his divinity and casting him as an outsider who is morally and culturally suspect.
Stating that since Dionysus is an outcast within the social norm he should not be trusted.
Pathos: His language about the "corruption" of women and "pollution" of beds taps into
emotions related to the preservation of social order and sexual purity, likely resonating with his
male audience's anxieties about control and propriety. Or Pentheus excessive desire to maintain
his power and social image to appease his pride.
Ethos: Pentheus tries to position himself as a defender of traditional values and morality,
believing he’s preserving the honor and integrity of his city. Because he is attempting to prove
that he is a man fit in an appropriate position that equals the power he has be acquainted with.
Kairos: His intent to capture Dionysus "if I catch him under this roof" suggests urgency,
emphasizing his commitment to take swift action to stop the spread of what he sees as a
"disease" in his city.
This moment reflects Pentheus concerns about moral decay, as he views the worship of Dionysus as
undermining the social and moral fabric of Thebes. While also represents his pride, his declining mental
state, and his worry for his position as a king being lessened.
Here is another scene that displays these skills, but with a different context. In lines 460-471, this passage
showcases Dionysus asserting his divine nature and the consequences of ignoring it, challenging
Pentheus, skepticism and warning him about the risks of defying the gods.
“You don’t know why you live, what you’re doing, or
who you are. I warn you—do not raise up your anger
against a god. Just stay quiet. Dionysus will not compel
you to praise him against your will. But this god, whom
you deny, will vindicate himself in your eyes—for all his
goodness, all his gentleness, to those who honor him.
But you, you rage against him.”
From this passage we can identify the skills Ethos, Pathos, Logos, and Telos:
Ethos: Dionysus speaks with the authority of a god, asserting his divine identity and warning
Pentheus not to challenge him. His words emphasize the wisdom and insight of a divine being,
building his credibility.
Pathos: He appeals to Pentheus sense of caution and fear, warning him not to "raise up his
anger against a god" and hinting at the consequences of defiance.
Logos: Dionysus also uses logic to a degree, pointing out that Pentheus lack of understanding,
"you don’t know why you live, what you’re doing, or who you are", will lead to his downfall.
He suggests that resistance is irrational because the god’s power will ultimately prove itself.
Telos: Dionysus makes his purpose clear; he seeks honor and respect from humans but will not
force them. His aim is to demonstrate his divinity and to ultimately be recognized and
worshipped.
This text highlights Dionysus attempts to make Pentheus and others understand the serious consequences
of denying a god. While also showing Dionysus’s pride in himself and what it means to be a God above
man. Since he will not be a dictator and raise his hand towards them, since they are ignorant of the world
above them, but since now they are informed, they will act accordingly or face judgment.

Using this information from The Bacchae we can make an analysis that these literary skills that predates
our current society is key in making a narrative and its characters real. Since without out these skills there
would be no connection to the characters and there would be no understanding of the circumstances of the
story, leaving the narrative as an empty husk without any filling. Euripides work stands as a testament to
the enduring power of literature in exploring the human condition and its untapped feelings that are never
addressed until it’s too late, by using the relationship between humans and divine gods.