Chapter 7, Aristophanes and the Old Comedy Summary and Analysis

Before actually turning to the writings of Aristophanes, the modern reader should, says Hamilton, understand the character of the comedy of the period. Her description is quite apt. Indeed, her quotation of Voltaire is very much to the point, "True comedy is the speaking picture of the Follies and Foibles of a Nation." For a 21st century reader, the words that leap to mind to describe this type of comedy are "lampooning," and "roasting." No individual, no group, no aspect of life, and no idea were exempt from comedic analysis. Moreover, as in the case of a roast, it was quite likely that the individual subjected to ridicule or caricature was present when the comedy was performed.

Athenian society cherished and embraced both tragic drama and outrageous comedy. Aristophanes began writing...