ANALYSIS

Analysis of Lines 1068 - 1107 “The Bacchae by Sophocles”

Analysis of Lines 1068 - 1107 “The Bacchae by Sophocles”

The very essence of choosing the mentioned lines from the play is the overall importance of the passage in the play. It is described in the passage that Dionysus and her follower were continuously striving to hunt the lion (Aeschylus, 2004); in fact, it was not lion but her own son Pentheus (Ian, 2008). Unexpectedly, she killed her own son accidently. The story had driven the attention when she told the story to her daughter that she had killed her son cruelly. The reason behind choosing this passage to analyze is that it represented shocking contrast of emotions, which were depicted by two characters. The passage is very effective and interesting in this regard. Cadmus had observed the terrible situation in which his grandson's head was seen in the arms of his daughter. When Cadmus says; “If you come to understand what you have done, you will feel terrible pain…” the line clearly explains the pain which was expressed by the grandfather to her daughter that she killed her son for no reason (Aeschylus, 2004).

It was catching the attention of her daughter, and made her realise that she is guilty of the murder of her son. The scene has come with dazzling sentiments, not only attracted the readers but also the audience. One could hardly watch the highly emotional scene. In fact, agave did not realise that he not only made his daughter cry, but also made the situation more badly. She became more upset from the influence of Dionysus and Bacchic way of explaining it. It was obvious when Agave had a sharp poke at her saying; “If only my son were as successful in the chase as his mother…” these lines of her son make the situation deeper, dramatic, and ironical.

The words of her son make the situation worse and intensive; almost everything that Agave says is ironic. It seems that Sophocles moulding the hearts of readers and the audience. This created extensively nasty and vile and vivid picture. It has emerged as the centre of attention for the audience and attracted the customers towards the scene. In the exact lines specifically, the term “successful” is frightening as she has observed death of her son as a success. In the very nature of mother-son relationship, there is a natural, strong bonding, this bond cannot be broken by anyone, expect mother or son. In this regard, the scene has emerged as the most eye catching scene for the audience and readers.

In this passage, the worse moment was shown when she asks from Cadmus that why he is not happy for her; “What is wrong in this? Where is the pain?” Cadmus then continuously trying hard to make her realize that why is she celebrating the killing of her son. She was under the fold of monumental arrogance and proud that she refused to listen to anyone. She did not even listen to ...