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Une personnification mythique de la nature : le portrait des Ménades dans les Bacchantes d’Euripide

1999; University of Lisbon; Volume: 27; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1484/j.euphr.5.123855

2736-3082

Emmanuel Filhol,

Archaeology and Historical Studies

The Greek imaginary uses the name of Menades to refer to one of the mythical paradigms of femininity and is deep-rooted affinity with nature. As can be seen in Euripides’ Bacchantes, these ecstatic women who take part in Dionysos’ cult express all the excessiveness borne by the wildernes, overflowing with life and dangerous at the same time. Overflowing with life since the close relation between the vegetable and animal world and the Asiatic bacchantes, as symbolized by certain attribute, is expressed through an intense communion between the creatures : as for the god’s devotees, this dionysian communion which is the stream of universal life, is felt as a pure expense, a free and frenzied outpour. Dangerous, in so far as the savageness of the menades can lead to a murderous violence.