The Greek Way

Who is Aristophanes from The Greek Way and what is their importance?

Asked by
Last updated by Cat
1 Answers
Log in to answer

Aristophanes was a fifth century comic playwright in Athens. He is the representative of "Old Comedy" in Greece. Hamilton compares "Old Comedy" to modern comics. It is probably closer to two comic forms that arose after Hamilton's writing, lampooning and the roast. Greek comedy brought to light the frailties and foibles of the leading people of the day, as well as the institutions and actions of the society. By holding everything up to parody, ridicule and satire, comedy provided both entertainment and social critique. The best known and most exemplary of Aristophanes' comedies is probably "The Frogs" in which he parodies Aeschylus and Euripides