Dionysus :: essays research papers fc

DionysusWinter squalls ar drained out of the sky. The violet seasonof roseola spring smiles. The dour earth glitters undergreen lawns. Swelling plants pop open with petite petals.Meadows laugh and suck the morning dew, while the roseunfolds.The shepherd in the hills happily blows the top notes of hispipe. The gathered gloats over his white kids. Sailors racecrosswise the thrashing waves. Their canvas full of the harmless breeze. Drinkers acclaim the grape-giverDionysus, capping their hair with flowering ivy. (Bernard).Dionysus, in Greek mythology is a god of wine and vegetation, who showed mortals how to cultivate grapevines and afford wine. He was good and gentle to those who honored him, only he brought aberration and destruction upon those who spurned him or the orgiastic rituals of his cult (Wendell 23)The yearly rites in honor of the resurrection of Dionysus gradually evolved into the structured organise of the Greek drama, and important festivals were held in honor of the god, during which massive dramatic competitions were conducted. The most important festival, the Greater Dionysia, was held in Athens for five days each spring. It was for this celebration that the Greek dramatists Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides wrote their great tragedies. Also, after the 5th century BC, Dionysus was known to the Greeks as Bacchus.Dionysus is the son of genus genus Zeus and Semele. He is the only god to have a mortal parent. The relationship of Dionysus began when Zeus came to Semele in the night, invisible, felt only as a bode presence. Semele was pleased to be a lover of a god, even though she did not know which one. Word soon got around and Hera quickly untrue who was responsible. Hera went to Semele in disguise and convinced her that she should see her lover as he really was. When Zeus visited her again, she made him promise to return her one wish. She went so far as to make him swear on the River Syx that he would grant her request. Zeus, was mad ly in love and agreed. She then asked him to show her his true form. Zeus, was unhappy, and knew what would happen, but having sworn he had no choice. He appeared in his true form and Semel was instantly burn to a crisp by the sight of his glory. Zeus did manage to rescue Dionysus, and stitched him into his thigh to hold him until he was busy to be born.