Dionysus

A detailed Summary of Dionysus

Dionysus was the god of the vine. He invented wine and spread the art of tending grapes.

He had a dual nature. On one hand, he brought joy and divine ecstasy. On the other hand,

he brought brutality, thoughtlessness and rage. This reflected both sides of wine's nature.

If he chooses, Dionysus can drive a man mad. No normal fetters can hold him or his

Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Semele. He was the only god to have a mortal parent.

Zeus came to Semele in the night, invisible, felt only as a divine 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 realized who was responsible. Hera went to Semele in disguise

and convinced her she should see her lover as he really was. When Zeus next came to her,

she made him promise to grant her one wish. She went so far as to make him swear on the

River Styx that he would grant her request. Zeus was madly 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 Semele was

instantly burnt to death by the sight of his glory. Zeus did manage to rescue Dionysus and

him in pieces, because they believed Dionysus who had said that the land would not bear

and filled the vessel with ivy and the sound of flutes so that the SAILORS went mad, and

cultivation. But some say that it was Aristaeus who discovered honey and that he

Others say that Lycurgus was almost killed by the MAENADS but was saved by Hera and

The festival for Dionysus is in the spring when the leaves begin to reappear on the vine. It

wine. Some say that Oeneus, king of Calydon, was the first to receive a vine-plant from

servants of Dionysus during the festival.

Approximate Word count = 1836
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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