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Overview

The Bacchae is a Greek tragedy written by Euripides that was first produced posthumously around 405 BCE. It tells the story of King Pentheus of Thebes, who opposes the worship of the god Dionysus and the frenzied rites of his female followers, the Maenads. As Pentheus attempts to suppress the cult, he becomes entangled in a web of divine retribution. The play explores themes of hubris, the destructive power of unbridled passion, and the consequences of denying the divine.

Read the full play summary, an in-depth character analysis of Dionysus, and explanations of important quotes from The Bacchae.

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