Aristophanes and Classical Aristophanes and Classical Greek ComedyGreek Comedy

November 15November 15thth-19-19thth, 2007, 2007

The Genres of ComedyThe Genres of Comedy

Old Comedy – Middle Comedy – New Old Comedy – Middle Comedy – New ComedyComedy

Old Comedy = Comic dram of the Old Comedy = Comic dram of the fifth and early fourth centuries BCEfifth and early fourth centuries BCE

Aristophanes, Eupolis, CratinusAristophanes, Eupolis, Cratinus

Distinction Between Old, Distinction Between Old, Middle, and New ComedyMiddle, and New Comedy

Old Comedy: 5Old Comedy: 5thth century BCE, highly century BCE, highly political, centered on the concerns of the political, centered on the concerns of the polis, chorus plays prominent rolepolis, chorus plays prominent role

Middle Comedy: Early 4Middle Comedy: Early 4thth century BCE, less century BCE, less political, diminished choruspolitical, diminished chorus

New Comedy: Late 4New Comedy: Late 4thth century BCE, non- century BCE, non-political, concerned with social relations, political, concerned with social relations, progenitor of all subsequent comedyprogenitor of all subsequent comedy

General Characteristics of General Characteristics of ComedyComedy

Absence of mythological themesAbsence of mythological themes

Outrageous/Fantastic plan or solution to a crisisOutrageous/Fantastic plan or solution to a crisis

SlapstickSlapstick

Scatological humorScatological humor

Sexual innuendoSexual innuendo

Inversion of or challenge to social/political orderInversion of or challenge to social/political order

Political satire (Old Comedy)Political satire (Old Comedy)

Producing Comedies in Ancient Producing Comedies in Ancient GreeceGreece

Festivals of Dionysus (The Great Dionysia, Festivals of Dionysus (The Great Dionysia, The Lenaea)The Lenaea)

Staged together with tragedies – 3 Staged together with tragedies – 3 tragedies + satyr play in the morning; 1 tragedies + satyr play in the morning; 1 comedy in the afternoon – over 3 comedy in the afternoon – over 3 consecutive daysconsecutive days

Panels of judges awarded 1Panels of judges awarded 1stst, 2, 2ndnd, and 3, and 3rdrd, , prize for the comediesprize for the comedies

Organization of ComedyOrganization of Comedy

4 talking actors at a time4 talking actors at a time

All malesAll males

Grotesque masks – often mocking real peopleGrotesque masks – often mocking real people

Padded costumes for slapstickPadded costumes for slapstick

Enormous leather phallusEnormous leather phallus

24 member chorus: performs choral song & dance, 24 member chorus: performs choral song & dance, interact with actorsinteract with actors

Narrative PatternNarrative Pattern

Problem/CrisisProblem/Crisis

Ridiculous SolutionRidiculous Solution

Putting Plans into ActionPutting Plans into Action

Comic ResultsComic Results

Components of Greek Components of Greek ComedyComedy

PrologosPrologos: Opens the play – introduces the subject and the : Opens the play – introduces the subject and the crisiscrisis

ParodosParodos: Follows the prologos – chorus enters singing : Follows the prologos – chorus enters singing alternating verses (strophe – antistrophe) – provides alternating verses (strophe – antistrophe) – provides background to the events of the playbackground to the events of the play

ParabasisParabasis: Long passage of the chorus; an aside to the : Long passage of the chorus; an aside to the audience; views of the playwright presentedaudience; views of the playwright presented

EpisodosEpisodos: Action between characters in the play: Action between characters in the play

AgonAgon: Competition/debate between characters in the play: Competition/debate between characters in the play

ExodosExodos: The final rejoicing following the last episode: The final rejoicing following the last episode

Life and Work of Life and Work of AristophanesAristophanes

447 BCE – ca. 386-380 BCE447 BCE – ca. 386-380 BCE

B. in AthensB. in Athens

Little known of his personal lifeLittle known of his personal life

Among the Athenian social and political elite – considered the greatest comic poetAmong the Athenian social and political elite – considered the greatest comic poet

Wrote 40 plays – 11 survive (Wrote 40 plays – 11 survive (ArcharniansArcharnians – 425 BCE, – 425 BCE, KnightsKnights – 424 BCE, – 424 BCE, CloudsClouds – – 423 BCE, 423 BCE, WaspsWasps – 422 BCE, – 422 BCE, PeacePeace – 421 BCE, – 421 BCE, BirdsBirds – 414 BCE, – 414 BCE, LysistrataLysistrata – 411 – 411 BCE, BCE, Women at the ThesmophoriaWomen at the Thesmophoria – 411 BCE, – 411 BCE, FrogsFrogs 405 BCE, 405 BCE, EcclesiazusaeEcclesiazusae – 391 – 391 BCE, BCE, PlutusPlutus – 388 BCE) – 388 BCE)

6 – 16 – 1stst prizes, 4 – 2 prizes, 4 – 2ndnd prizes, 2 – 3 prizes, 2 – 3rdrd prizes prizes

Charged by Charged by CleonCleon for slandering Athenian politicians before Athens’ allies for slandering Athenian politicians before Athens’ allies ((BabyloniansBabylonians – 426 BCE) – Aristophanes responded with – 426 BCE) – Aristophanes responded with KnightsKnights (424 BCE) (424 BCE)

Cleon, Socrates, and Euripides regular objects of satirical attackCleon, Socrates, and Euripides regular objects of satirical attack

Political Views of a Political Political Views of a Political PoetPoet

Difficult to determine – ambiguousDifficult to determine – ambiguous

Sometimes democratic – sometimes anti-democraticSometimes democratic – sometimes anti-democratic

Nostalgic for the moderate Athenian democracy of the Nostalgic for the moderate Athenian democracy of the Persian Wars (i.e. 490-479 BCE)Persian Wars (i.e. 490-479 BCE)

Radical democracy (i.e. from 460 BCE) led to the Radical democracy (i.e. from 460 BCE) led to the deterioration of Athenian morals and character (i.e. deterioration of Athenian morals and character (i.e. Peloponnesian War, Cleon, Socrates; immoral demagogues Peloponnesian War, Cleon, Socrates; immoral demagogues leading stupid people to their ruin)leading stupid people to their ruin)

Radical democracy – demagoguery – Sophists – War Radical democracy – demagoguery – Sophists – War interconnectedinterconnected

The CloudsThe Clouds

Produced in 423 BCEProduced in 423 BCE

Revised version (incomplete) in 419-17 BCE Revised version (incomplete) in 419-17 BCE – Revised version never staged– Revised version never staged

Aimed at: 1. Both the aristocratic class AND Aimed at: 1. Both the aristocratic class AND the uneducated (and easily led astray) the uneducated (and easily led astray) demos, 2.The sophistic movement in Athensdemos, 2.The sophistic movement in Athens

Perversion of the democracyPerversion of the democracy

Summary OutlineSummary Outline Strepsiades’ anxiety over Phedippides’ addiction to horses and horse racing Strepsiades’ anxiety over Phedippides’ addiction to horses and horse racing

and the debts Phedippides has run upand the debts Phedippides has run up Strepsiades tries to persuade his son to study under Socrates (i.e. to learn how Strepsiades tries to persuade his son to study under Socrates (i.e. to learn how

to make the wrong argument the right one)to make the wrong argument the right one) Strepsiades fails to convince his son and enrolls in Socrates’ “thinkery” himselfStrepsiades fails to convince his son and enrolls in Socrates’ “thinkery” himself Socrates introduces Sterpsiades to new gods, the clouds – but Strepsiades is Socrates introduces Sterpsiades to new gods, the clouds – but Strepsiades is

too stupid to learn his lessonstoo stupid to learn his lessons Clouds persuade Strepsiades to bring his son to the thinkeryClouds persuade Strepsiades to bring his son to the thinkery Strepsiades brings Phedippides to the thinkery – but Socrates will not take him Strepsiades brings Phedippides to the thinkery – but Socrates will not take him

as a studentas a student Just Speech and Unjust Speech emerge offering to teach Phedippides – debate Just Speech and Unjust Speech emerge offering to teach Phedippides – debate

for the right to do so – Unjust speech winsfor the right to do so – Unjust speech wins Phedippides instructed in Sophistry by Unjust SpeechPhedippides instructed in Sophistry by Unjust Speech Phedippides returns home as a well educated SophistPhedippides returns home as a well educated Sophist Creditors come for Strepsiades – they are refuted by Strepsiades through inane Creditors come for Strepsiades – they are refuted by Strepsiades through inane

Sophistic argumentsSophistic arguments Phedippides beats his father – argues (inanely) that it is just to beat one’s Phedippides beats his father – argues (inanely) that it is just to beat one’s

mother and fathermother and father Strepsiades burns down the ThinkeryStrepsiades burns down the Thinkery

Principal Themes in Principal Themes in The The CloudsClouds

Aristocratic Extravagance vs. Frugality/Sobriety of Aristocratic Extravagance vs. Frugality/Sobriety of the ordinary Athenianthe ordinary Athenian

Decay of MannersDecay of Manners

Corruption of DemocracyCorruption of Democracy

Moral Relativism and its DangersMoral Relativism and its Dangers

AtheismAtheism

The Aristocratic The Aristocratic PheidippidesPheidippides

““But I can’t sleep, wretched me, I’m bitten – by But I can’t sleep, wretched me, I’m bitten – by expenses and stables and my debts because of expenses and stables and my debts because of this son of mine. this son of mine. He with his long hair rides horses He with his long hair rides horses and drives a chariot, and dreams of horses, while I and drives a chariot, and dreams of horses, while I am ruinedam ruined….” (13-16)….” (13-16)

““Oh, would that the matchmaker might perish Oh, would that the matchmaker might perish evilly, she who stirred me up to marry your evilly, she who stirred me up to marry your mother! Mine was a rustic life, most pleasant: mother! Mine was a rustic life, most pleasant: squalid, unswept, lying down at random, teeming squalid, unswept, lying down at random, teeming with bees and sheep and olive-cakes. with bees and sheep and olive-cakes. Then I Then I married a niece of Megacles the son of Megacles. I married a niece of Megacles the son of Megacles. I was a rustic, she from the town: classy, luxurious, was a rustic, she from the town: classy, luxurious, aristocraticaristocratic.” (40-48).” (40-48)

Aristocratic Values vs. The Aristocratic Values vs. The Common ManCommon Man

““She would take this son of ours and fondle She would take this son of ours and fondle him, saying, ‘When you are big enough to him, saying, ‘When you are big enough to drive a chariot to the city, like Megacles, drive a chariot to the city, like Megacles, wearing a festal robe…’ But I would say, wearing a festal robe…’ But I would say, ‘Rather, when you bring the goats away ‘Rather, when you bring the goats away from the rocky ground, like your father, clad from the rocky ground, like your father, clad in leather…’ But he wasn’t persuaded by my in leather…’ But he wasn’t persuaded by my speeches at all: he’s been pouring out speeches at all: he’s been pouring out horse-itis upon my money.” (69-74)horse-itis upon my money.” (69-74)

The Corruption of Simple The Corruption of Simple MenMen

““That is a thinkery of wise souls. In That is a thinkery of wise souls. In there dwell men who by speaking there dwell men who by speaking persuade one that the heaven is a persuade one that the heaven is a stove and that it is around us, and stove and that it is around us, and we are charcoals. If someone gives we are charcoals. If someone gives them money, they teach him how to them money, they teach him how to win both just and unjust causes by win both just and unjust causes by speaking.” (94-98)speaking.” (94-98)

The Misuses of Sophistic The Misuses of Sophistic SkillsSkills

Strep: “O ladies, I beg of you then this one very little thing: Strep: “O ladies, I beg of you then this one very little thing: to be the best speaker of the Greeks by a hundred stadia.”to be the best speaker of the Greeks by a hundred stadia.”

Chorus: “This you will have from us, so that henceforth, Chorus: “This you will have from us, so that henceforth, from now on no one will win more proposals in the from now on no one will win more proposals in the Assembly of the people than you.”Assembly of the people than you.”

Strep: “Don’t speak to me of great proposals. For I have no Strep: “Don’t speak to me of great proposals. For I have no desire for them, but only to twist justice enough to give my desire for them, but only to twist justice enough to give my creditors the slip.”creditors the slip.”

Chorus: “Then you’ll get what you yearn for since you have Chorus: “Then you’ll get what you yearn for since you have no desire for great things.” (429-35)no desire for great things.” (429-35)

Knowledge That Is, At Best, Knowledge That Is, At Best, UselessUseless

Student: “Chaerephon from Sphettos was asking him which Student: “Chaerephon from Sphettos was asking him which notion he held: do gnats hum through their mouth or notion he held: do gnats hum through their mouth or through their behind?”through their behind?”

Strep: “What then did he say about the gnat?”Strep: “What then did he say about the gnat?”

Student: “He declared that the gnat’s intestine is narrow, Student: “He declared that the gnat’s intestine is narrow, and because it is slender, the breath goes violently straight and because it is slender, the breath goes violently straight to its behind. There the anus, hollow where it lies near the to its behind. There the anus, hollow where it lies near the narrow part, resounds from the violence of the wind.”narrow part, resounds from the violence of the wind.”

Strep: “The the gnat’s anus is a trumpet. O thrice-blessed Strep: “The the gnat’s anus is a trumpet. O thrice-blessed for intestinal insight! How easily would a defendant escape for intestinal insight! How easily would a defendant escape the penalty if he thoroughly knew the intestine of the gnat.” the penalty if he thoroughly knew the intestine of the gnat.” (156-168)(156-168)

Knowledge That Is, At Worst, Knowledge That Is, At Worst, DangerousDangerous

Pheid: “How pleasant it is to consort with novel and shrewd Pheid: “How pleasant it is to consort with novel and shrewd matters and to be able to look down on the established laws! For I, matters and to be able to look down on the established laws! For I, when I was applying my mind to horsemanship alone, couldn’t when I was applying my mind to horsemanship alone, couldn’t even say three phrases before I went wrong. But now, he himself even say three phrases before I went wrong. But now, he himself has made me stop these things and I am associating with subtle has made me stop these things and I am associating with subtle notions and speeches and ponderings, I do suppose that I will notions and speeches and ponderings, I do suppose that I will teach him that it is just to punish one’s father.”teach him that it is just to punish one’s father.”

Strep: “Then keep on with your horses, by Zeus, since it is better Strep: “Then keep on with your horses, by Zeus, since it is better for me to nurture a four-horse team than to be beaten and for me to nurture a four-horse team than to be beaten and battered.” (1399-1407)battered.” (1399-1407)

Pheid: “I’ll beat my mother too, just as I did you.”Pheid: “I’ll beat my mother too, just as I did you.” Strep: “What are you saying? What are you saying? This other one Strep: “What are you saying? What are you saying? This other one

is a still greater evil!”is a still greater evil!” Pheid: “But what if I defeat you by means of the weaker speech, Pheid: “But what if I defeat you by means of the weaker speech,

saying that one should beat one’s mother? (1442-1446)saying that one should beat one’s mother? (1442-1446)

Moral RelativismMoral Relativism Pheid: “Wasn’t he who first set down this law a Pheid: “Wasn’t he who first set down this law a

man like you and me, and didn’t he persuade man like you and me, and didn’t he persuade those of long ago by speaking? Is it any less those of long ago by speaking? Is it any less allowable for me too, then, to set down in turn allowable for me too, then, to set down in turn for the future a novel law for sons to beat their for the future a novel law for sons to beat their fathers in return? As for the blows we got fathers in return? As for the blows we got before the law is set down, we dismiss them, before the law is set down, we dismiss them, and we give them our past thrashings gratis. and we give them our past thrashings gratis. Consider the chickens and the other beasts: Consider the chickens and the other beasts: they defend themselves against their fathers. they defend themselves against their fathers. Yet how do they differ from us, except that they Yet how do they differ from us, except that they do not write decrees?” (1421-29)do not write decrees?” (1421-29)

Sophists and AtheistsSophists and AtheistsDon’t Fear The GodsDon’t Fear The Gods

Strep: “Come now, by the Earth, isn’t Olympian Strep: “Come now, by the Earth, isn’t Olympian Zeus a god for us?”Zeus a god for us?”

Soc: “What Zeus! Don’t babble! Zeus doesn’t Soc: “What Zeus! Don’t babble! Zeus doesn’t even exist” (365-7)even exist” (365-7)

Soc: “You fool, smelling of the age of Kronos, Soc: “You fool, smelling of the age of Kronos, you’re out of date. If in fact he strikes perjurers, you’re out of date. If in fact he strikes perjurers, then how is it that he didn’t burn up Simon or then how is it that he didn’t burn up Simon or Cleonymous or Theorus? They are vehement Cleonymous or Theorus? They are vehement perjurers. But he strikes his own temple and perjurers. But he strikes his own temple and Sunium, the cape of Athens, and tall oak trees. Sunium, the cape of Athens, and tall oak trees. Why? An oak, at least, doesn’t perjure itself.” Why? An oak, at least, doesn’t perjure itself.” (398-401)(398-401)

Strepsiades’ Moment of Strepsiades’ Moment of Enlightenment: The ExodosEnlightenment: The Exodos

““Oh me! What derangement! How mad I Oh me! What derangement! How mad I was, when I even through out the gods was, when I even through out the gods because of Socrates! But dear Hermes, in because of Socrates! But dear Hermes, in no way be angry with me and don’t batter no way be angry with me and don’t batter me, but forgive me for being out of my me, but forgive me for being out of my mind with prating. And become my fellow mind with prating. And become my fellow counselor: should I prosecute them with counselor: should I prosecute them with an indictment, or what seems fitting to an indictment, or what seems fitting to you? You advise me correctly in not letting you? You advise me correctly in not letting me stitch up a lawsuit, but rather to set me stitch up a lawsuit, but rather to set the house of the praters on fire as quickly the house of the praters on fire as quickly as possible.” (1476-84)as possible.” (1476-84)

Using Comedy As Historical Using Comedy As Historical EvidenceEvidence

Must understand that it is comedy – must Must understand that it is comedy – must get the jokeget the joke

The political/ideological outlook expressed The political/ideological outlook expressed is that of the author and not necessarily is that of the author and not necessarily that of the audiencethat of the audience

Good to focus on elements that are not Good to focus on elements that are not always central to the narrativealways central to the narrative

Aspects of Classical Athenian Aspects of Classical Athenian Society Reflected in Society Reflected in The CloudsThe Clouds

Gender rolesGender roles

Parental rolesParental roles

SexualitySexuality

Religious sensibilitiesReligious sensibilities

Gender RolesGender RolesWomen and DomesticityWomen and Domesticity

““When I married her, I lay down When I married her, I lay down together with her, I smelling of new together with her, I smelling of new wine, fig crates, wool, abundance, she wine, fig crates, wool, abundance, she in turn of perfume, saffron, kisses with in turn of perfume, saffron, kisses with the tongue, expenses, gluttony, Colias, the tongue, expenses, gluttony, Colias, Genetyllis. But I certainly won’t say she Genetyllis. But I certainly won’t say she was idle; she did weave. And I would was idle; she did weave. And I would show her this cloak as an occasion and show her this cloak as an occasion and say, ‘Woman, you weave too closely.’” say, ‘Woman, you weave too closely.’” (49-55)(49-55)

Parents and ChildrenParents and Children

Children must respect their eldersChildren must respect their elders Children were disciplined physicallyChildren were disciplined physically

Pheid:”I’ll pursue the point of my speech Pheid:”I’ll pursue the point of my speech where you interrupted me, and first I will where you interrupted me, and first I will ask you this: did you beat me when I was a ask you this: did you beat me when I was a boy?”boy?”

Strep: “Yes, I did; I was well-intentioned Strep: “Yes, I did; I was well-intentioned and concerned for you” (1407-9)and concerned for you” (1407-9)

Education, Decorum, and Education, Decorum, and SexualitySexuality

Just: “I will speak then of ancient education as it was established when I Just: “I will speak then of ancient education as it was established when I was flourishing, speaking the just things, and when moderation was was flourishing, speaking the just things, and when moderation was flourishing. First, it was needful that no one hear a boy muttering a sound; flourishing. First, it was needful that no one hear a boy muttering a sound; next, that those from the same neighborhood walk on the streets here in next, that those from the same neighborhood walk on the streets here in good order to the cithara teacher’s, lightly clad, in a group, even if the good order to the cithara teacher’s, lightly clad, in a group, even if the snow came down like barley-meal. Next, again, he used to teach them to snow came down like barley-meal. Next, again, he used to teach them to learn a song by heart (standing with their thighs apart), “Pallas, Terrible learn a song by heart (standing with their thighs apart), “Pallas, Terrible Sacker of Cities” or “A Far Reaching Shout,” pitched to the harmony that Sacker of Cities” or “A Far Reaching Shout,” pitched to the harmony that their fathers handed down. If anyone was ribald or added any modulation their fathers handed down. If anyone was ribald or added any modulation of the sort they use nowadays (those difficult modulations of Phrynis), he of the sort they use nowadays (those difficult modulations of Phrynis), he would be thrashed and beaten with many blows, as one who would efface would be thrashed and beaten with many blows, as one who would efface the Muses. It was needful for the boys to keep their thighs covered while the Muses. It was needful for the boys to keep their thighs covered while sitting at the gymnastic trainer’s, so as to show nothing cruel to those sitting at the gymnastic trainer’s, so as to show nothing cruel to those outside. Next, again, when they stood up, they had to smooth the sand outside. Next, again, when they stood up, they had to smooth the sand back again and be mindful not to leave behind an image of puberty for back again and be mindful not to leave behind an image of puberty for their lovers. At that time no boy would anoint himself below the navel, so their lovers. At that time no boy would anoint himself below the navel, so that the dew and down bloomed on their private parts as on fruit. Nor that the dew and down bloomed on their private parts as on fruit. Nor would he make up a soft voice and go to his lover, he himself pandering would he make up a soft voice and go to his lover, he himself pandering himself with his eyes. Nor was it allowed him at dinner to help himself to himself with his eyes. Nor was it allowed him at dinner to help himself to the radishes, nor snatch the dill or parsley from the elders, nor to eat the radishes, nor snatch the dill or parsley from the elders, nor to eat relishes, nor giggle, nor to cross his legs.” (971-83)relishes, nor giggle, nor to cross his legs.” (971-83)

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

How does the depiction of Socrates in How does the depiction of Socrates in The CloudsThe Clouds relate to relate to his depiction in his depiction in The ApologyThe Apology??

Is the Aristophanes’ depiction of Socrates fair?Is the Aristophanes’ depiction of Socrates fair? How does Socrates train Strepsiades? Why does How does Socrates train Strepsiades? Why does

Aristophanes describe the education process in this way?Aristophanes describe the education process in this way? Who comprises the chorus and why?Who comprises the chorus and why? Do you think this play had a meaningful social impact?Do you think this play had a meaningful social impact? How are the Oresteia and the Clouds related?How are the Oresteia and the Clouds related? What must we be aware of when using comedy as a piece What must we be aware of when using comedy as a piece

of historical evidence?of historical evidence? What is Aristophanes’ attitude toward democracy?What is Aristophanes’ attitude toward democracy? Is Clouds expressly and explicitly concerned with politics?Is Clouds expressly and explicitly concerned with politics? Do any of the themes in the play have relevance today?Do any of the themes in the play have relevance today?