In high school, we used to get asked what our favorite part of each class was. I would answer, “the essays”. The meanest glares anyone could possibly imagine would be shot my way as it was the furthest thing from anyones mind when someone thinks “fun”. In my opinion, writing is fun. It is a way to fully express yourself while at the same time possibly learning a new subject, idea, or creating an argument. It has made me challenge myself in ways I did not believe were possible. I view topics differently and test myself to see what I my opinion is or how I could add to the topic. Writing about what I have read in The Bacchae has become a task as there is a tremendous amount of depth to this play. For example, I had never thought of the people as “intoxicated” as we discussed in class. My whole perspective of the play changed after that day, so I took a second look. What I had perceived as madness, ruthless, joyous people turned into drunken misfortunes. Intoxication on power, on loyalty, on obedience, and obsession; this is part of the depth I never saw and want to challenge myself to see. The women are so intoxicated on loyalty and love for Dionysus, they would kill for him, no matter the outcome. It is the high, like Pentheous’s mother feels when she kills her son, that does not last forever and then you have to deal with the consequences. It all connects back to real life as this is true for many people; they get drunk and do stupid things and will regret it for a short or long time after it occurs. This is another aspect of English and writing that I love; connecting it to the real world. Dionysus is after revenge as his family has been destroyed and all he wants is to be worshipped. Wouldn’t anyone feel that way? People want others to look up to them and if something horrid happens in their life they want someone to pity them. I love this; writing. Writing about The Bacchae can be difficult, but in the end, the outcome is incredible.
English Majors Practising Criticism