Antigone and Bacchae the Tragedies

Antigone and Bacchae

The tragedies of Ancient Greek authors Sophocles and Euripides show the high level of human relations and developed system of social and moral values in Ancient Greece. In the tragedies The Bacchae and Antigone authors wanted to show the uniqueness of Greek moral culture, struggle for the unity of moral values and family values and the real value of harmony in society.

The desire of Pentheus in the play The Bacchae for cross-dressing in order to spy the Bacchae, was basically motivated by the anger on Dionysus who submitted women to his will and also to immorality, chaos and bacchanalia. Pentheus was obviously losing control over the city of Thebes and tried to return his power by any means. He decides to kill bacchae as they are setting example of submission to Dionisys who wanted to gain control over Thebes. Pentheus doesn't understand that he is not able to resist Dionisisus who has a dualistic nature of being both a man and god, and who's rank is higher than the rank of a mortal. The rule of Pentheus seems to be very authoritarian as he doesn't allow to worship to Dionysus as he doesn't want to share the power over Thebes citizens with god. Besides, we can see that Pentheus also wanted to submit women to his authority which violated Greek morals of freedom and equality. This is the main fault of the man, as he becomes the victim of his arrogance and narrow mind. It's obviously stated that power of gods can not be cognized by humans and humans have to submit to existing laws set by gods. Besides, in many aspects it's obvious that Dionysus brought liberation to citizens of Thebes together with joyful way of life and he can not be perceived as an ambitious and selfish God, but instead as one who cared about people. The decision of Pentheus for cross-dressing was motivated by a desire of Pentheus to spy maenads and punish them. But at the same time it was curiosity and also a sexual desire to watch free and liberated happy women. The act of cross-dressing in order to spy women may be also viewed as a desire to show protest to the laws set by gods, as only gods had the right to watch over humans and take image of humans (both women and men). Disrespect shown to Dionysus, as Pentheus refused to acknowledge Dionysus to be a god and disrespect to social norms decided the future fate of the mortal king. 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 guardians of the king Creon and is sentenced to death in jail. 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)