Essay about We Two Being One Are It The Greek God Dionysus

Dionysus, god of wine, in ancient Greek and Roman mythology is argued to have come late to the divinity family. Scholars continue to debate the idea. Myth scholars, fascinated by his stature and appearance believe that Dionysus was perceived as a god, and yet there are images of Dionysus that depict him as a goddess as well. The divine family tree of Dionysus begins with Dionysus as a gender specific male. I merely argue that, perhaps it is not a question of gender, but of perception. In order to receive the full understanding of Dionysus, one must start at the very beginning of Dionysuss divine story. Zeus and Persephone had a son, Dionysus. The Titans at the directions of Hera dismembered Dionysus, whom they had seen†¦show more content†¦Ion and the Nymphs took their own precautions and raised Dionysus as a girl. Dionysuss raising encourages the belief of Dionysus as female rather than a male. His childhood is only partially responsible for his feminine characteristics and style. These elements also come from his association with the mother earth goddess, Demeter, and his travels. On his travels, Dionysus gained the ability to cultivate grapes, turning their juices into wine. Believers of the time say that Demeter gives the ability to him. Readers and scholars alike consider Demeter as Dionysuss counterpart. Some research actually links Demeter as Dionysuss mother Semele. (Hodges 2) The festival held in Dionysuss honor, Dionysia, is also a symbol of the connection of Dionysus to the mother earth goddess. Demeter is responsible for the changing of season, the winter of cold and death, to the spring, a rebirth of greenery and life. Dionysia is held in the spring. It is a symbol of Dionysuss rebirth. Dionysuss garland of ivy can also link Dionysus to Demeter. When Dionysus was born, Zeus gave him a garland of snakes. The trading in of the snakes for the ivy, indicated in the chorus of Euripidess The Bacchae, could be a symbol of trading a more masculine way of dealing with life for the feminine ivy. He crowned him with a crown of snakes, which the Maenads hunt eagerly... Semeles nurse put on your crowns of ivy bloom withShow MoreRelatedThe Plot Of Euripides The Bacchae1534 Words   |  7 PagesThe plot of Euripides’ The Bacchae, a Greek tragedy translated by Richmond Lattimore, has roots deeply engrained in barbaros which is the Greek word for barbarian. In The Bacchae, Dionysus, son of the god Zeus and the mortal Semele, returns to Thebes, the town in which he was born, in order to establish his cult there; however, he returns as a foreigner. 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