Aristophanes (in Greek Ἀριστοφάνης; Athens, 444 BC-385 BC) was a Greek playwright, the main exponent of the comic genre. He lived during the Peloponnesian War, a time that coincides with the splendor of the Athenian empire and its consequent defeat at the hands of Sparta.
Hardly anything is known about the life of the great comedy writer – the most important source is his own works.
Aristophanes was probably not much older than his rival Eupolis (b. 446); it is generally assumed that Aristophanes lived between about 447 and 386.
His first play was performed in 427 and represented the contrast between old and new education based on two brothers.
Aristophanes had someone else rehearse the piece, a habit that he later happily maintained. In two plays he was represented by his son Araros.
The following year the Athenians got to see Aristophanes’ first political comedy, The Babylonians, at the Dionysia. The chorus, disguised as slaves in hard service at the handmill, presented the federal cities of Athens (in the so-called “Attic Sea League”) – at the Great Dionysia, i.e. in the presence of the envoys of these same cities, which brought Aristophanes a complaint before the council through Cleon .
The lawsuit did not stop Aristophanes from castigating Athens’ striving for power, warmongering and above all the demagogues – above all Cleon – in his comedies.
The last piece he performed himself was 388 Plutos.
Altogether Aristophanes wrote over 40 comedies, only 11 have survived (see below). Aristophanes was the youngest and (perhaps) most important representative of the so-called “Old Comedy”, even if he was less successful during his lifetime (cf. Euripides) than his colleagues and competitors Eupolis and Kratinos.
The rather conservative poet took the themes of his comedy from current political events, from the themes on the market. In addition to the allusions and digs at contemporary celebrities from politics, art and business, the comedies revolve around two essential and long-standing points: Firstly, the Peloponnesian War (431-404) and its consequences for the people of Athens; on the other hand the development of philosophy (and the resulting proto-sciences) and all social effects.
What kind of philosophy towards Aristophanes?
Especially well-known is his animosity towards Socrates, whom he presents in his comedy The Clouds as a demagogue dedicated to instilling all kinds of nonsense in the minds of young people.
Who was Aristophanes and what did he do to Socrates?
He was a Greek comediographer, the main exponent of the comic genre. 444 BC c. 385 BC
Who is Aristophanes?
380 BC C., Greek comic playwright, who lampooned major contemporary figures such as Socrates and Euripides.
Who was Aristophanes of Alexandria?
He was a Greek scholar belonging to the Hellenistic era. He was one of the librarians at Alexandria and teacher of Aristarchus and one of the great specialists in Greek literature. He studied and worked in Alexandria together with Zenodotus of Ephesus and Callimachus.
Who was the creator of comedy?
Molière is considered the creator of modern French comedy. His works are still studied, performed and honored today, proving that they changed French theater forever.
What were the most important works of Aristophanes?
lysistrata
411 BC c.
Clouds
424 BC c.
The Frogs
406 BC c.
The birds
414 BC c.
The assembly…
Peace
421 BC c.
How many plays did Aristophanes make?
The comedies
Comedias
Aristofanes, Comedias
1830
Las once comedias Aristóf
1966
Komedie
Birds
1925
What is the origin of Greek comedy?
This theory remains bolstered by the Greek word komoidía, which means “song of a komos,” and derives from the Greek komos, procession of drunken comparsas who sang and danced in honor of the god of wine, Dionysus (and does not derive from kome, ” village,” as Aristotle believed).
What is love for Aristophanes?
The reality of Aristophanes’ love, the one we all know and feel, is “being”, desire. As beings with limited powers, the reality of the complete and perfect state of love, the union that represents the “being” falls outside of our mental capacity. Therefore, Aristophanes puts a focus on desire.
Who is the father of drama?
Aeschylus has been called the father of Greek drama because he helped transform theatrical performances into spectacles.
What does Aristophanes think of Socrates?
Aristophanes tried to arouse against Socrates the hatred of conservative people, contrary to the novelties that the philosopher represented: the physics of the Ionians, the logic and grammar of Protagoras, the sophists, “already then an obligatory arsenal of every lawyer”.
What did Socrates say at the banquet?
Procreation takes place in the beautiful. Love is not love of the beautiful, but of procreation in the beautiful. And if you want it to remain forever, it is love of immortality.
Where did Aristophanes die?
Place of death: Delphi, Greece
When did Aristophanes die?
Date of death: 386 BC
What was the most important thing Aristophanes did?
Aristophanes (in Greek Ἀριστοφάνης; Athens, 444 BC-385 BC) was a Greek playwright, the main exponent of the comic genre. He lived during the Peloponnesian War, a time that coincides with the splendor of the Athenian empire and its consequent defeat at the hands of Sparta.
Who was Aristophanes and what did he do to Socrates?
He was a citizen involved in Athenian politics: he participated in the political struggles for the establishment of the Aristocratic Party and, from his ranks, he showed his disagreement with the way of governing of the democrats.
