The Bacchants Summary

The play begins with Dionysus, immortal son of Semele and Zeus, discussing how the Thebans under the rule of his grandfather Cadmus have not respected his Bacchic rites. He decides that it is time that the Thebans respect the power of Dionysus and to that end he has hatched his plot.

In Thebes, Tiresias the blind prophet is calling out for Cadmus. Both men are very old and are dressed in the clothing of followers of Dionysus, that is, in deerskins, ivy wreaths, and a thyrsus. He meets with Cadmus and both men say that despite their age, they are ready to dance again in the bacchanal celebration. They discuss the importance of believing in the gods and not trying to rationalize too much the working of the gods. After awhile, Pentheus, Cadmus' sun and king of Thebes, joins the scene...