The Dionysian Ghost of Christmas Present

Vintage illustration by John Leech

Everyone is at least a little familiar with A Christmas Carol. 
Long ago, Charles Dickens wrote a ghost story for Christmas, because that used to be what you did on Christmas: tell ghost stories. And with the popularity of the book he assured the popularity of that the then dying holiday of Christmas for years to come, perhaps for the forseeable future of mankind. The book would be adapted for the stage and for the screen in many new and wondrous ways. 

But what of the ghosts themselves? Past, Present, and Future all archetypes in their own right, and of course, I'm focusing on the archetype of Christmas Present, who bares a jolly resemblance to the God of Joy, Dionysus. So,

"Come in! Come in! and know me better, man!"

From the moment we first meet the Ghost of Christmas Present, he is surrounded by greenery, ivy, wine, dead animals, and plenty - all a feasting setting familiar to the Bacchanal. 

It was [Scrooge's] own room. There was no doubt about that. But it had undergone a surprising transformation. The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which, bright gleaming berries glistened. The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light...

References to a "grove" and "ivy" should not be lost on the Bacchante. The God Dionysus (or the Roman name, Bacchus) is the god of wine, but he is closely associated with Pan and other forest gods. Revelry is the teaching of Dionysus.

Je Jeune Bacchus by Caravaggio

Though the Spirit's eyes were clear and kind, [Scrooge] did not like to meet them.

Dionysus is often described as having a youthful, kindly face. As one of the last Greek gods to be added to the pantheon, he is much kinder and softer than the old gods who were often selfish and unreasonable in their myths. And though the Spirit of Christmas Present is often pictured in movies as being rather portly, there is nothing in the original text to lead us to this, except that he is referred to as being a giant. He is also never described as having a beard. So, in this respect the Spirit is often balrogged.

It was clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the figure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles. Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air.

This description might as well be of Dionysus himself, with the chest refusing to be covered and his very being radiating freedom and joy. The wreath is holly, with a short jump to the ivy and grapevines traditionally pictured around Bacchus's head. Interestingly, Dionysus and his teacher, Silenus (who was a portly man), are often confused in art as well.

Bacchus by Joachim Wtewael

The Spirit takes Scrooge on a journey through the present, opening his eyes to what is happening around him every day. He brings Scrooge to the sea at one point and we see sailors celebrating Christmas, reminding one of the fact that Dionysus always traveled by boat, and one of his more famous stories involves sailors. While they pass amongst the people, invisible, the Spirit sprinkles water on meals as a blessing from a horn of plenty. 

Dionysus brings blessing to the people in the form of wine. Through wine he brings joy...but there's also a catch to this. Too much wine also brings a kind of madness and in this madness, truth is thrust upon us. All the nasty things we hide from people are brought out when we drink. Dionysus does not bring the negativity, we do. The Spirit of Christmas Present echoes this later on in his chapter in one of the most important connections between Dionysus and the Spirit. 

The Spirit brings Ebeneezer to the home of the Cratchit's where he realizes for the first time how hard his often abused employee has it and he questions whether Tiny Tim will live.

"If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race," returned the Ghost, "will find him here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population?"
  Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.

Although the Spirit bitches out Scrooge something awful after this, he uses his own words against him. He doesn't bring the nasty, Scrooge does.

Dionysus is usually regarded as a kind god, however the madness he brings can sometimes have disastrous consequences. "The Bacchae" is the story of Pentheus, the king of Thebes, and is a gruesome one, ending with the non-believer's head being torn from his body by his own mother, under the thrall of the Bacchanalia. Unlike Scrooge, he refused to learn the lesson.

The last time we see the Spirit he is shouting words of warning about man's creations to Ebeneezer and for the last time, the Ghost uses his own words against him.

"They are Man's," said the Spirit, looking down upon them. "And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!" cried the Spirit, stretching out his hand towards the city. "Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse. And abide the end!"
   "Have they no refuge or resource?" cried Scrooge.
   "Are there no prisons?" said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. "Are there no workhouses?"

In this may be the true meaning of Christmas and the true meaning of "The Bacchae". If we do not practice kindness and take it upon ourselves to help, grow, and sow seeds, doom will follow.

But we don't need to end on a downer, because the message of Dionysus and the Spirit of Christmas Present is also to remember to relax, enjoy yourself, and have a beer...or a glass of wine...or a smoking bowl of bishop. And don't take things too seriously. Enjoy life while it's here.