Bakkhai

by Euripides

Dionysos is god of the beginning before the beginning.

Lecturing in Japan Stephen Hawking was asked not to mention that the universe had a beginning (and so likely an end) because it would affect the stockmarket.

Beginnings are special because most of them are fake.

Look at Pentheus twirling around in a dress, so pleased with his girl-guise he’s almost in tears.

Costume is flesh.

Dionysos does not explain or regret anything.

If life is a stage, that is the show. Exit Dionysos.

put on this suit of human presence.

Here’s what you’ll need: fawnskin, thyrsos, absolute submission.

That’s why I’ve changed to mortal form — how do I look? Convincingly human?

Isn’t it fun to forget our old age?

I don’t believe in despising the gods, a mere human myself.

Dionysos didn’t specify his worshippers be young or old — he wants reverence from all.

Swoony type, long hair, bedroom eyes, cheeks like wine.

Might be a good idea, if it’s not too much bother, to show more respect for your old grandfather. Not to mention the gods.

Wine is an escape from grief, a slip into sleep, a cool forgetting of the hot pains of day. What better cure for being human?

when the god enters your body you’re suddenly speaking the future.

do you really think violence is the only way to influence people? Think again. Accept this god.

Pure at heart is pure in life.

Watch out for pride.

Cleverness is not wisdom.

Darkness is serious.

Can’t corruption be found in daylight too?

born of a masculine womb.

Dashed it. Smashed it. Disarticulated it. To bits.

Man against god: never works.

A wise man is a well-tempered man.

Doors don’t stop gods.

Dionysos is inferior to no god.

You’re the type of person who listens yet you do not hear.

don’t take up arms against a god.

daimonic ancient, elemental,

He is a violent man. But Death will discipline him. Death takes no excuses. To accept that we are mortal helps us live without pain.

To live and think and act within measure, reverencing the gods, this is a man’s finest possession.

he took up a thyrsos and followed a bull directly down to Hades.

And Pentheus my son, where’s he? I want him to set up a ladder against the house and nail this head to the roofbeam: my trophy. My lion. I won it myself.

He was outraged by your hybris. You denied he was a god.