Exodos Summary

When Agave triumphantly returns to the city, even the Chorus expresses pity for her. Cadmus comes out to see what has happened, and then he talks Agave back to her senses, helping her face what she has done. Cadmus explains that Dionysus has punished them all, because they did not recognize him as a god.

Agave and Cadmus complain to Dionysus that his punishment is too harsh, but he is unrelenting. Agave and Cadmus grieve while they leave Thebes for separate exiles.

Exodos Analysis

Surely Agave and Cadmus speak for the audience when they complain that Dionysus was too hard on them, but the message of the final scene is clear. The gods will have their honor, and they will not be merciful if it is denied them.