Dionysus Strengths And Weaknesses

Dionysus was the only god who was born to a human parent. He was the god of wine and festivity. His mother was Princess Semale, a mortal, and his father was Zeus. Dionysus is usually described as either a beautiful youthful god, almost feminine looking, with long curly hair entwined with grape vines and grapes, or an old bearded god. In addition he is credited with the invention of wine and also helping to inspire the theatre, both important parts of Greek life.

A nasty temper, intoxication, and insanity were Dionysus’ weaknesses. When he lost his temper he was know to have his band of women tear the person that made him mad apart and then eating them or changing them into an animal form. Both of these can be seen in the myths told about him and his followers. Dionysus also had powers such as wine making, changing himself and others into different forms, and helping free people from their shyness with wine, music and dancing. Some of the things that Dionysus holds sacred are the tigers the leopards goat, ivy a

Zeus’s jealous wife, Hera, found out that he was having an affair with Princess Semele and she was not happy so Hera went to Princess Semele in disguise. Hera told Princess Semele that if Zeus truly loved her that he would let her see him in his natural form, a frenzy of lightning bolts. Princess Semele asked Zeus to promise to grant her a wish. He loved her and so he swore to her that he would do whatever she wanted. When she told him that her wish was to have him show himself to her as his natural form he knew it was a mistake but he had promised and could not take it back. He had to go to her as a frenzy of lightning bolts and he knew it would kill her; when he went she was fatally scorched. Princess Semele was pregnant with Dionysus, so Zeus reacted by grabbing the fetus and putting it in his thigh. From there, this is where the fetus grew and where Dionysus was born