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The Bacchae Study Guide

by Euripides

The Bacchae study guide contains a biography of Euripides, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Some background is helpful in understanding the events of the play. Semele, princess of Thebes and daughter of Cadmus, was impregnated by Zeus, king of the gods. She boasted proudly of the child's fathering, and her sisters became jealous. More importantly, the girl's pride offended Hera, Zeus's wife and queen of the gods. Because of Hera's anger, Semele was struck by lightning as she gave birth. Zeus preserved the child and hid him from Hera. The child was Dionysus, and he grew into a powerful deity. In Thebes, Semele's own sisters slandered her, saying that the girl was no bride of Zeus; clearly, said Semele's sisters, the lighting was punishment for Semele's lies. The child was assumed to have perished with its mother. But in truth…

Read the full The Bacchae Summary

• The Bacchae Summary
• About The Bacchae
• Character List
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 1-369
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 370-519
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 520-774
• Summary and Analysis of Lines 775-1024
• Summary and Analysis of of Lines 1025-1394
• Related Links on The Bacchae
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Bacchae: Major Themes
• The Bacchae: Essays
• The Bacchae: E-Text
• The Bacchae: Questions
• The Bacchae: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Euripides: Biography