1. What do you make of Dionysus? Is he justified in his actions? What does he represent in the play?
2. Why does Dionysus seem to succeed so easily in getting Pentheus to dress as a woman and go into the hills?
3. What does the play suggest about the way gods treat humans and the way humans should treat the gods?
4. What role does the chorus play? Do they contribute to the plot through their actions? How do their songs relate to the themes of the play?
5. How do Pentheus, Agave, Cadmus, and Teiresias each respond to Dionysus? Is there a "right" way to respond to Dionysus and what he represents? If so, what is it?
6. Why do you think Pentheus is so vehement in his opposition to Dionysus?
7. There are two long messenger speeches in this play. What do they contribute?