Doubting the Efficacy of Pentheus as Scapegoat -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 20:59:10 02/10/08 Sun
Author: Hwaet!
Subject: Doubting the Efficacy of Pentheus as Scapegoat

I�m reconsidering the ending to Bacchae. At first it seemed obvious that Pentheus is the scapegoat because after the Bacchae kill him, their frenzy subsides. But now I realize that Pentheus�s death does not bring peace to the house of Cadmus. Dionysus comes to pronounce judgment on Cadmus (who worshipped Dionysus), promising to turn him and Harmonia into snakes (for offending Ares in another myth?). Agave says, �I see a sight that brings me infinite pain and misery� (1282). So I was wrong to think Pentheus a scapegoat for the house of Cadmus; Pentheus is the scapegoat for Thebes, so that the rest of Thebes can return to peace. And yet it is not only Pentheus who is destroyed, for Cadmus and Harmonia, and, in a way, Agave, are ruined. The whole house of Cadmus is scapegoated for Thebes�but only one person, Pentheus, is violently sacrificed. This makes me doubt the efficacy of Pentheus as a scapegoat.

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Replies:

Re: Doubting the Efficacy of Pentheus as Scapegoat -- CS Holden, 12:41:09 02/15/08 Fri