Dionysus and Semele

        Semele was the daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia, king and queen of Thebes, and the mother of Dionysus, divinity of wine. genus Zeus cast madly in pick out with her and made an oath to do anything that she asked. Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus,realized Zeus was in love with Semele and tricked Semele into asking Zeus to let her see him in his majesty. derail by an oath, Zeus appeared before the unfortunate fair sexuality in all his divine glory. (Morford-Lenardon 187) As she looked at him, she was consumed by the lighten bolts and light that radiated from him. Zeus was able to rescue her unborn child, Dionysus, and hid him in his side until it was misrepresent to be born.         Hermes carried Dionysus to be cared for by the nymphs of Nysa- the loveliest of earths valleys.(Hamilton 65) When Dionysus had grown up, he wandered to many out-of-the-way(prenominal) and strange places. Everywhere he went he taught men the culture of the vine and mysteries of his morality and everywhere he had been, he was accepted as a god.         Dionysus went to Thebes to register his worship, since that was his mothers city. He was accompanied by the Maenads. Pentheus, the King of Thebes, was not happy with the behavior of this group of strangers.

He ordered his soldiers to throw out the visitors, only he had no idea that Dionysus was a bran-new god.         The soldiers tried to throw away the maidens but said that the doors unbarred themselves. Pentheus was furious. He ordered his soldiers to imprison Dionysus but the priso n could not hold him. Dionysis tried to arg! ue that the wonders of this new worship of a new and great god was divine but when Pentheus only heaped insults and threats upon him, Dionysus left him to his doom.(Hamilton... If you insufficiency to start out a full essay, order it on our website: OrderCustomPaper.com

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