Tiresias is a common character in Greek literature. He is elderly and blind, but was granted “second sight”—the ability to make accurate prophecy—as compensation for his blindness. In The Bacchae, he warns of the importance of paying tribute to the gods and is dressed up in Dionysian garb during his one appearance in the play. Pentheus fails to heed his warning, thereby making Tiresias’ prediction of tragedy come true.