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It was an open protest based of selfishness and arrogance and it had no rational explanation. Pentheus is punished by death and dies from the hands of his mother who thought he was a wild beats. Such death is very symbolic as it outlines that the will of god is higher than love of mother to son and god's punishment has no mercy to sinners: "What is wisdom? Or what fairer gift from the gods in men's eyes than to hold the hand of power over the head of one's enemies? And 'what is fair is always followed"(Euripides, The Bacchae)
In the tragedy of Sophocles Antigone, another opposite case is presented as Antigone the niece of the king Creon demonstrates the actions which are worth admiration and respect. She neglects the order of the new king and buries her brother according to Greek customs. This deed is very symbolic as she demonstrates respect to her brother and to the will of gods. Antigone is arrested by the...
But she is confident in her innocence and is faithful to her ideals:
didn't say yes. I can say no to anything I say vile, and I don't have to count the cost. But because you said yes, all that you can do, for all your crown and your trappings, and your guards -- all that your can do is to have me killed." (Sophocles, Antigone)
As she is unwilling to accept such a shameful penalty she commits suicide:
My nails are broken, my fingers are bleeding, my arms are covered with the welts left by the paws of your guards -- but I am a queen!" (Sophocles, Antigone)
Even though that Antigone dies we observe the triumph of justice and virtues as the king is punished: as Haemon, the son of Creon follows the example of Antigone. It is a triumph over cruelty of the king and the triumph of justice.
The death of Antigone and the death of Pentheus are very symbolic as both of them represent the triumph of gods laws (morality and ethics) over the vices and evils of humans. Justice committed by gods is the victory of moral ideals over human arogance and cruelty, as Euripides writes:"Slow but sure moves the might of gods" (Euripides, The Bacchae)
References
Euripides, The Bacchae
Sophocles, Antigone
He and Pentheus meet and Dionysus asserts that Zeus and Semele were married and that their child was the god Dionysus, who is honored by the Bacchae. Pentheus refuses to believe it and professes his skepticism -- yet Dionysus inflames his curiosity and Pentheus admits to desiring to see the rites performed: he is like the unbeliever who asks to see a miracle, when the person with faith is
However, Pentheus is a flawed king. He seems driven by inner needs and is fascinated as well as revolted by the changes Dionysus is bringing. He is easily swayed, and sees some aspects of the new religion as alluring as well as a threat to the status quo. Part of him wants a compromise so that the new religion will not completely fade away. He seems to find it a
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Euripides’ Bacchae Hubris is perhaps the greatest offense that could be given in ancient Greek society. Hubris means showing arrogance and a belief that a human being can challenge the power of the gods. Pentheus, by the standards of his society, has committed the greatest offense possible in Euripides’ Bacchae by attempting to ban the revels of Dionysius. This is not a privilege extended to him as an earthly ruler. Thus,
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