The main topic of this dialogue is whether virtue can be taught. In the myth discussed in the story, Epimetheus provides humans with nothing whereas he provides many talents to non-human animals. This imbalance was fixed by Prometheus, who stole fire and wisdom and brought it to humanity. As such, humans have language, make artifacts, and worship gods. Before Prometheus, humanity could not take part in god-like activities. Afterwards, they could, but they still lived in isolation and were destroyed by strong animals. They lack the art of politics, so any attempts to organize as a city ends up in injustice. Hermes then brings humanity justice and shame, which form bonds of friendship and bring order.
How might this relate to Bacchae?
Dionysus' first miracle is to release the jailed women in the city. His second miracle is an earthquake (586-588) and his third is his escape from jail (613-617). Dionysus claims that whereas Pentheus thought he was chaining Dionysus, in fact Pentheus never touched his hands. It is also important to note that Dionysus says that Pentheus was feeding on his desires. Dr.Giannopoulou claims that this is part of Pentheus' transformation into Dionysus. In the following lines, Dionysus explains that he was placed in a stable, as if he were an animal. He then turns into a bull and in this form he is imprisoned as an animal. Pentheus tried to restrain this bull, but Dionysus was also watching from the outside. Then he explains how Bacchus came and brought an earthquake and fire. He also claims that Bromius appeared in the palace. In lines 618-632, there are thus at least four versions of Dionysus. Dr. Giannopoulou argues that when Pentheus takes a sword against Dionysus, this is a futile attempt to use a phallus to destroy his sexual desire (as represented in Dionysus).
In the mountains, we have a much more peaceful picture. The Maenads are enjoying sober rest. Importantly, they were also being modest, which is the most important female virtue. In other words, they are acting very Greek. When the women awaken, they let their hair loose and they use snakes to attach their fawnskins if they need it. Lactating women suckled animals and the women cried out for Bacchus until the beasts were wild with divinity "And when they ran, everything ran with them" (727). In short, this "society" of peaceful women includes harmony with animals and nature. One women uses a thyrsus to strike a rock and create a fountain of water. Another makes wine spring from the earth. Women who wanted milk scratched at the ground and pure honey spurts from their wands (702-711). The women are thrusting a phallus into a surface in order to eject liquids. Women, as changing and fluid entities, were often associated with liquids. Whereas Pantheus is unable to be successful with his phallus, the women are able to use the thyrsus with success. This represents a reversal of roles.
Then, after being seen by villagers, the women pillage and destroy a town and kidnap the children (747-754). The townspeople take up arms against the Maenads and the men's spears make no wounds whereas the women's spears do cause damage. Eventually, the men turn and run, having been defeated by the women. This represents the main problem of the play for Pentheus: the men are ineffectual. The men are incapable of fulfilling their roles, but the women have success in masculine roles.
When the women are spotted by men, they perform sporagmos on men, but they also do the same to animals sometimes even when they do not think they are being observed (736-747). In lines 811-816, Pentheus admits that he wants to watch the women of the Bacchae.
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