the bacchae of euripides a communion rite

Wole Soyinka has translated-in both language and spirit-a great classic of ancient Greek theater. There are numerous other adaptations of The Bacchae, like Charles Mee’s, that bring out different levels of meanings as well.The Bacchae of Euripides: A Communion Rite New life and new meaning can be given to scholarly traditions.Īdaptation is an act of reinterpretation and rejuvenating old texts to make sure their relevance continues on in modern culture. The ending of this adaptation is one of peace and tranquility after the cruel leader Pentheus is vanquished, a sign of positivity for the community rather than punishment as in Euripides’ text.ĥ. Water being turned into wine, as wine is a central symbol in Soyinka’s version. Soyinka uses a scene from the Gospel of John. The slave Chorus is alongside Euripides’ Chorus they eventually work together while maintaining their separate identities.Ĥ. In it, there are two Choruses, comparisons between Dionysus and the Yoruba god Ogun, and the recognition of slaves as sacrifices by the cruel Pentheus to the gods. However, the adaptation holds many differences. This Bacchae was first performed in London.

It also influenced Wole Soyinka’s 1973 The Bacchae of Euripides: A Communion Rite. Many people throughout the years have made parallels between these figures as neither is recognized by his own people at first.ģ. In both, ethical challenges are posed to the community. They both have a prologue where the audience knows the truth, the believers state their devotion, there is conflict between believers and nonbelievers. They narrate the stories in similar ways, thematizing similar issues like the problems of arrival and recognition. The Gospel of John and The Bacchae don’t have a direct line of influence, but they are both texts about gods arriving in a community. It has a relationship with the Gospel of John.Read on for 5 takeaways from our second session in our Theatre & Thought BACCHAE Series, “Identity, History, and Change.” The scholars focused in on two key adaptations to delve into a deeper discussion of the thematic issues in all three texts. Clifford Ando held a conversation about the afterlife of The Bacchae in the form of adaptation.

The bacchae of euripides a communion rite