The Irrational:
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First, it is very irrational for Dionysus to be
so bitter about not being praised (see lines 378-379). I would be a little
upset if people didn't take me seriously as a person or a god, but the fact
that not everyone is praising him for his godhood it kind of pitiful and
greedy. I don't know if I was accurately interpreting the text, but it seemed
like he was upset that he 1) wasn't able to be ruler of Thebes, but also that
2) he couldn't get the entire city to worship him. Then again, Kadmos and
Pentheus are the same way- only wanting the power and praise (see lines
394-398).
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The next completely irrational thing that I
found was the different ways that they treated each gender. I understand that
at this time, women were seen as more frail and delicate and men were the
protector and powerful. I understand that gender roles were different. Even so,
reading (on line 876-877) “Women defeated the men--- and not without some god”
as if the only way any women could beat a man is with a god’s assistance. There
were other lines, too, from that play that seemed fairly irrational in their
views of women and men.
The Rational:
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Although many of the actions portrayed in the
this play prove the irrationality of thought in different characters, the play
seems to display them in a way that proves rationality- Of course the idea that
gods and the worship of them can encourage a whole group of women to abandon
everything and run into the woods to become wild is absurd, it shows the
rational and realistic view that people can be persuaded and change in
character. The irrational (gods, etc.) makes a great framework for the natural
(persuasion, wanting to be a part of something bigger, freedom, etc.)
The Personal:
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I have used music in my life to get the freedom
and fulfillment that I desire- I was able to feel belonging and purpose by
playing in a concert band for about nine years. It’s just too bad that Dionysus
couldn't find fulfillment and acceptance in some other way, and neither could
the women that ran into the woods.
Nice contrast with how you feel fulfilled. I think Dionysus thought that he could be fulfilled by having people worship him because that is how the other gods felt fulfilled. How did you discover that playing music is a way to feel fulfilled? Are your parents musicians?
ReplyDeleteI defineitly felt fulfilled when playing music, but more than the music and emotions that come with it, it was about being part of the group that all had a unifying purpose. My parents were never part of any organized musical group, but encouraged all of their kids to be.
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