Episode 8.2: ‘Bacchae’ by Euripides
Ancient literature? Yeah, we’re going there!
‘Bacchae’ is the play, the source material, the inspiration, for the adventures and dangers that Henry and Co get in to during ‘The Secret History’. It’s a foundational text for this novel and lays the groundwork for the conflict and the goal of the book, and shapes and sets the tone for the academic tones and goals in dark academia.
Bacchae, a profound exploration of the human psyche, deals with the appalling consequences of resistance to Dionysus, god of wine and unfettered emotion. This tragedy, which above all others speaks to our post-Freudian era, is one of Euripides' two last surviving plays.
This is the first time we’ve ever encountered ancient literature on the podcast, and our first deep dive into the underlying inspirations for ‘The Secret History’ - we’re so excited about getting deep on this season of the podcast and connecting with the novel and Tartt’s inspiration. This play changed her life!
In this episode we discuss:
How we found reading ancient literature for the podcast for the first time
‘Bacchae’ as a foundational text for ‘The Secret History’
The role of the Chorus in ancient literature
The dark academia tropes that we found originating in or connecting to the play
You can listen to it here:
TEXTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
‘Bacchae and Other Plays’ by Euripides
‘The Secret History’ by Donna Tartt
Jay Kristoff
‘Titus Andronicus’ by William Shakespeare
‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad
‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens
‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley
‘Percy Jackson’ series by Rick Riordan
‘Northanger Abbey’ by Jane Austen
‘Mansfield Park’ by Jane Austen
OTHER MEDIA AND POP CULTURE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
‘True Blood’ (2008-14)
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