The Dithyramb of the Rose
The Dithyramb of the Rose is the first tragedy by Angelos Sikelianos written and published in 1932. The first performance was held in Athens, in 1933. This play, is fermented through the beliefs of Sikelianos for Delphi, the Delphic Idea, and the two, already completed, Delphic Festivals. The play, was translated into English in 1939.
Plot
The tragedy is inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus. This is demonstrated by the announcement to his faithful followers and comrades that he will perform a sacrifice to the God at the top of mount Paggaio with the risk of execution and dismemberment by the sacred Maenads of Dionysus. The personae speaking are Orpheus, the First Leader of the Chorus A and the Second Leader of the Chorus B. This tragedy has the structure of the early types of this genre, showing higher correlations with the dithyramb that evolves into a tragedy, more than a tragedy itself.Sikelianos, influenced by the Orphic theology and its founder and leader, Orpheus, places him as Hierophant – officiant in the myth, with clear references to Dionysus. As scholars have said, the individual symbols of ear of grain, the vine and, especially the rose that are eminent in the play are allegorically bound with the tragedy itself and aim at transmitting a universal message of peace, harmony and unity among all people, a "key" message to understanding all creative events of Sikelianos.