Dionysus decides to help Orpheus reunite with Riddy to prove himself to his father. In KAOS, Nabhaan Rizwan plays Dionysus.
Dionysus is the god of pleasure, madness, and wild frenzy, but he does not enjoy his role and is tired of his hedonistic life.
He wants more responsibility and longs to be a god of something more meaningful. However, Zeus does not take him seriously, and his requests are never fulfilled.
Dionysus’ quest for purpose
Dionysus’ mother was a mortal who was turned into a bee by Hera. Zeus then made Dionysus a full god, but unlike the other gods, he is not cunning, selfish, or lacking in compassion.
Despite being the only one of Zeus’ children who still visits him and keeps in touch, Dionysus is considered a disappointment by his father.
Dionysus tries to earn Zeus’ love and respect, but all his efforts are dismissed, leaving him with no parental love or sense of purpose.
When a human suggests that Dionysus find a purpose for himself, Dionysus decides to help Orpheus, a superstar deeply in love with his wife, Riddy.
He is moved by Orpheus’ love for Riddy when he hears him sing. Soon after, Riddy dies in a car accident, leaving Orpheus heartbroken.
Dionysus stops Orpheus from taking his own life and reveals his divine nature to him. He assures Orpheus that there is a way to bring Riddy back from the dead.
He goes to great lengths to help Orpheus reach the Underworld, even trading Zeus’ lucky watch, which he had stolen, to convince the Fates.
Dionysus also agrees to take care of Orpheus’ kitten in his absence and quickly becomes attached to it. The kitten becomes the companion Dionysus never had.
The god who chose love
Dionysus believes that if Orpheus accomplishes the impossible by bringing someone back from the dead, Zeus and the other gods will start respecting him.
However, after Orpheus reaches the Underworld, Dionysus realizes that Riddy’s return will only enrage Zeus, as it would mean defying the natural order of death.
Dionysus also faces pressure from Poseidon to return Zeus’ watch, which he had traded. Instead of confessing the truth to Zeus, Dionysus brings him a similar-looking watch.
Zeus then starts involving Dionysus in his plans for war, but Dionysus is uncomfortable with them, as he does not enjoy hurting people. Unlike his father, he is kind-hearted and favors love over destruction.
When Zeus finds out about Dionysus’ deception, he punishes him by not only limiting his share of the Meander but also killing his kitten and Hera’s bees, which included Dionysus’ mother.
Zeus tries to convince Dionysus that love is a weakness, but Dionysus chooses to believe Persephone, who tells him that love is a strength and that he does not belong with Zeus.
Following Persephone’s advice, Dionysus takes his bottle of the Meander and seeks out Ari, the woman who had greatly impressed him by defying the gods.
Also Read: The Meander in KAOS explained