Aristophanes: Ancient Greek Comedy and Satire

Aristophanes: Master of Ancient Greek Comedy

Athenian dramatist Aristophanes is considered one of the greatest writers of comedies in the history of literature. His works have been performed over the centuries, and his wit, humor, and poetic language have secured a lasting popularity.

Life and Background of Aristophanes

Aristophanes, the son of Philip, is believed to have been born in the outskirts of Athens. He likely received a good education and may have owned land on the island of Aegina. He had three sons—Philip, Araros, and Nicostratus—all of whom became comic poets.

Aristophanes' Political and Philosophical Views

Aristophanes was known for his conservatism. He favored monarchy over democracy and upheld established philosophical and theological ideas against the emerging Sophist philosophies. His opposition to developments and reforms was more emotional than intellectual, often failing to distinguish between progressive and retrogressive proposals.

The Enduring Legacy of Aristophanes' Plays

Aristophanes wrote 44 plays, of which 11 have survived. He staged his first three plays under a pseudonym.

Notable Surviving Works

• The Acharnians (425 BC): A plea for an end to the war with Sparta.
• The Knights (424 BC): The first play staged under his own name, a devastating satire on the Athenian political and military leader Cleon, champion of democratic forces and head of the war party.
• The Clouds (423 BC): Satirizes the Greek philosopher Socrates, whose penetrating analysis of established values Aristophanes considered inimical to state interests.
• Wasps (422 BC): Aristophanes satirizes the law courts of his time.
• Peace (421 BC): Again emphasizes the desirability of ending the war between Athens and Sparta.
• Birds (414 BC): He ridiculed the Athenians' penchant for litigation.
• Lysistrata (411 BC): Another war satire where women strive for peace by practicing celibacy; it is his most famous work.
• Thesmophoriazusae (411 BC): Includes attacks on Euripides.
• The Frogs (405 BC): Also includes attacks on Euripides.
• Assemblywomen (392 BC): Satirizes the idea of communal property.
• Plutus (388 BC): Reduces the concept of wealth redistribution in Athens to absurdity.

The Style of Aristophanes' Comedies

These works, often characterized by their whimsical nature, were written with less formal rigor than tragedies. They included dialogue scenes, long speeches, and extensive choral music and dance.