ABSTRACT
In The Birth of Tragedy, Nietzsche links the words sensuality and cruelty to form a definition of Dionysiac religion represents the two facets of drunkenness and of the god's magic. This perhaps explains the sensuality that accompanies the cruelty of the Baccants: while satisfying their darker instincts they can relive the passion of the god who possesses them. Following the tradition according to which the word tragedy comes from tragos, the Greek for goat an animal sacred to Dionysus. In any case, it is clear that the cruelty inherent in Greek tragedy is the same as that to which the god inspires the Bacchantes. Nietzsche concluded his work by announcing a rebirth of tragedy, had been diverted from its Dionysian aim by the influence of Aristotelian theory. In the myths relating to the god, these plants both have a salvational role: an ivy saves Semele's child from the lightning of Zeus.
