Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Bacchus explained
The chapter recounts the birth of Bacchus, son of Jupiter and Semele, and Juno's vengeful plot that led to Semele's destruction.
What happens
The chapter recounts the birth of Bacchus, son of Jupiter and Semele, and Juno's vengeful plot that led to Semele's destruction. Bacchus is raised by nymphs, discovers the vine, and after being driven mad by Juno, spreads his worship across Asia and Greece. The narrative focuses on his confrontation with King Pentheus of Thebes, who opposes the Bacchic rites. Through the tale of the captured sailor Acetes, the chapter illustrates Bacchus's divine power as he transforms the treacherous crew into dolphins. Pentheus ignores warnings, goes to spy on the rites, and is torn to pieces by the frenzied Bacchanals, including his own mother Agave, establishing the worship of Bacchus in Greece.
Themes in this chapter
Hubris and Divine Retribution
Pentheus's arrogance in defying the god Bacchus leads to his violent death, demonstrating the peril of opposing divine will.
Love and Transformation
Juno's vengeful love for Jupiter drives her to destroy Semele; Bacchus's power transforms the treacherous sailors into dolphins, illustrating the transformative and often punitive nature of divine love.
Characters to notice
- Jupiter
Father of Bacchus; his oath to Semele leads to her death; he saves the infant Bacchus and entrusts him to the Nysaean nymphs.
- Juno
In her resentment against Semele, she disguises herself as Beroë and persuades Semele to demand Jupiter appear in his divine splendor, causing Semele's destruction.
- Bacchus
Son of Jupiter and Semele; discoverer of the vine; driven mad by Juno; wanders and spreads his worship; transforms treacherous sailors into dolphins and establishes his rites in Greece.
- Pentheus
King of Thebes who opposes the worship of Bacchus; ignores warnings and is torn to pieces by the Bacchanals, including his mother Agave.
- Acetes
A Maeonian pilot captured by Pentheus's men; recounts how Bacchus transformed his treacherous crew into dolphins; miraculously freed from prison.
Key passages
“Juno, to gratify her resentment against Semele, contrived a plan for her destruction. Assuming the form of Beroë, her aged nurse, she insinuated doubts whether it was indeed Jove himself who came as a lover.”
Juno, seeking revenge on Semele, disguised herself as the old nurse Beroë and planted suspicion in Semele's mind about whether her lover was truly Jupiter.
Juno's deception leads to Semele's fatal request.
“Her mortal frame could not endure the splendors of the immortal radiance. She was consumed to ashes.”
Semele's human body was unable to withstand the divine brilliance and she was burned to ashes.
The consequence of Semele's demand to see Jupiter in his full glory.
“The whole crew became dolphins and swam about the ship, now upon the surface, now under it, scattering the spray, and spouting the water from their broad nostrils.”
Every sailor was transformed into a dolphin, swimming around the vessel, diving and surfacing, and blowing water from their wide nostrils.
Bacchus's punishment of the treacherous sailors.
“Pentheus would take no warning, but instead of sending others, determined to go himself to the scene of the solemnities.”
Pentheus ignored all warnings and decided to personally go to the Bacchic rites rather than sending others.
Pentheus's fatal decision to confront the worshippers directly.