Assignment: Euripides' Bakkhai and a Rationale for the Irrational

Pentheus Among the Bakkhai

I've asked my students to read the Bakkhai (or Bacchae) by Euripides. This play is providing some contextual background for the Greek development of the art of rhetoric.

Their assignment is to respond to the irrational and the rational elements of the play, and to personalize this (again) by drawing upon personal experience.

The Irrational
What are the things in this play that do not make sense? Consider the motives or actions of any of the characters, the degree to which these characters accurately reflect truly irrational aspects of us humans, or even consider how (un)realistic the play is. You can focus on Dionysus (or Bacchus). It may seem very obvious, but what's the problem or issues with a God like Dionysus? Say why this deity or what he does just doesn't make sense. Another angle could be gender: How is each sex represented as driven by things other than reason? How does sex amplify the irrationality of the human condition? Choose any of these approaches or something similar dealing with the theme of irrationality.

The Rational
Consider how Euripides uses his craft as a playwright to provide a rational framework for the irrational that is present in the play. How does he bring out opposites? Consider male / female, city / wilderness, etc. Does the highly formal nature of the play give a more discernible way of talking about the issues? I'm looking for discussion about the functions of art, language, and theater and how these provide structure and form for the meaningful investigation of powerful, irrational forces native to the human condition.
The Personal
Tie into your analysis of Euripides' play a personal angle. How have you used techne (the Greek word for "art" "craft" or "method") in dealing with the irrational in your own life (or those close to you?) A techne is something that is more than just personal, but can be used personally. And a techne is formal: it can be defined with terms and turned into a method through which others can learn and apply it.

Some starting points:

• The arts (creative writing, drama, dance, visual arts, plastic arts)
• Sports (team or individual)
• Science (labs, data gathering, scientific method)
• Psychology (or any of the "ologies" that deal in some way with the irrational)

Length: 300-400 words
Due: Saturday 9/20/14 at noon (extended this week)

Example: See an example post that fulfills this assignment (longer than you need, but has all the required elements).