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

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Date Posted: 12:41:09 02/15/08 Fri
Author: CS Holden
Subject: Re: Doubting the Efficacy of Pentheus as Scapegoat
In reply to: Hwaet! 's message, "Doubting the Efficacy of Pentheus as Scapegoat" on 20:59:10 02/10/08 Sun

I see your point, but I think part of the idea of the scapegoat is that the act of sacrifice is really just a placebo. Whether Pentheus' death really does bring peace to the Bacchae (it doesn't, given that violence always bubbles underneath peace), the fact is that not only does the frenzy of the Bacchae subside, but so does the potential frenzy in Thebes and the house of Cadmus. It's an act of mini-violence that keeps the real violence at bay. As far as ways of getting revenge go, this method is much easier than inciting a revolution or an all-out civil war.

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