Inadequacy is a problem that people struggle with. It describes people who feels less than other individuals, which most of the time causes them to find ways to either boost their self esteem or to make themselves look and feel more important. In the play Bacchae, Dionysus, the god of wine, does the same thing that mere humans do. He wants people to believe that he is truly a god and in order to show the people his true power, he brings havoc onto the small city of Thebes. Dionysus is the egotistical mean girl that always has to show how much better she is than someone else and in doing so makes themselves feel superior to others. Even though he is a god and should not feel the need to prove himself to anyone, Dionysus shows off his power to Thebes in order to how great of a god he truly is.
In the prologue of the play, Dionysus describes how Pentheus has waged “war on the gods through” (Bacchae 2) him. In Dionysus eyes, Pentheus is waging war, because he does not believe that Dionysus is a god and is outraged by this. Dionysus is so upset with this that he feels that to “show him” that he is “truly a god” (Bacchae 3). With this information alone, it is clear to see that Dionysus has a gigantic ego yet at the same time has insecurities that people do not know who he is. In the instance that Dionysus is apald with Pentheus and the Thebans for not truly understanding that he is a god and how important he is shows his insecurities, because Dionysus is hurt that the people do not appreciate him like he thinks they should. When Dionysus feels the need to show everyone who he is, gives way to how egotistical he is in the fact that he will use his power and strength in order to prove his god superiority to the inhabitants of Thebes.
Dionysus also is seen using his power to manipulate others into getting his desirable outcome. In many instances throughout the play Dionysus is seen manipulating people, but one that sticks out in particular is right before he takes Pentheus up the mountain to his death. Dionysus, disguised in human form, talks Pentheus into going to see the “women gathered on the mountain” and convinces him to dress up in a “linen dress” (Bacchae 32-33). In getting him to “change rank from man to woman” (Bacchae 33) allows us to see how Dionysus uses his power to help in assisting in Pentheus demise. This also allows for the audience to understand what Dionysus meant at the beginning of the play by “I’ll show him I am truly a god” (Bacchae 3) by making Pentheus dress as women. In having Pentheus dress like a woman, allows Dionysus to strip him of his masculinity and embarrass him. This is how Dionysus is seen as the mean popular kid in school, because tricks Pentheus and belittles him in order to achieve his own objective.
Even though people could argue that Dionysus was a great god for giving the humans wine, his ego and his need for affirmation is what lowers his potential. With getting angry that people do not believe who Dionysus says he is bring his insecurities and his immaturity to light throughout the play. Also wanting people to worship him and know who he is gives us a clear picture of the size of his ego. With all the events that take place in the book, Dionysus seems as someone the author wants us to pity. The fact he goes to such extremes to show people who he is shows how his ego is over inflated and he is full of himself. The author wants us to show pity towards Dionysus, because he honestly feels the need to go to the extreme in order to accomplish the goals he has set.
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