Aristophanes the Democrat: The Politics of Satirical Comedy during the Peloponnesian War

This book provides a new interpretation of Old Comedy, suggesting that it was a vehicle for political conflict between opposing political groups in ancient Athens. Professor Sidwell argues that Aristophanes and his rivals expressed and fuelled this conflict through disguised caricature and parody of their rivals' work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 423 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This book offers a fresh perspective on the nature of Old Comedy and its pivotal role in Athenian democratic politics. Professor Sidwell contends that Aristophanes and his contemporaries were part of opposing political factions, each with their distinct political objectives. By employing disguised caricature and parody of their rivals' works, the poets effectively expressed and escalated the political tension between their respective groups. Through a meticulous rereading of the primary texts of Aristophanes and the fragmented remnants of his rivals' work, Professor Sidwell sheds light on the political foundations that shaped the genre.

Old Comedy, a genre of ancient Greek comedy, flourished during the fifth century BCE in Athens. It was a time of political upheaval and social change, with the city-state engaged in constant conflict with its neighboring rivals. Aristophanes, one of the most famous Old Comedy playwrights, was known for his sharp wit, satire, and political commentary.

In his book, Professor Sidwell explores the political dimensions of Old Comedy and argues that Aristophanes and his rivals belonged to opposing political groups. Each group had its own political agenda and sought to undermine the other through their comedic performances. Aristophanes, for example, often targeted the ruling class and their corrupt practices, while his rivals used comedy to promote their own political beliefs and ideologies.

One of the key techniques used by Aristophanes and his rivals was disguised caricature and parody. They would take real-life politicians, politicians, and social figures and exaggerate their characteristics and flaws to create comic characters. These characters would then be used to make political points and criticize the policies and actions of the opposing faction.

For example, in one of Aristophanes' most famous plays, "The Birds," he satirizes the Athenian government and its military policies. The play features a group of birds who rebel against the ruling class and their corrupt leaders. Aristophanes uses disguised caricature and parody to create a series of comic characters, including a group of birds who are obsessed with fashion, a group of birds who are obsessed with food, and a group of birds who are obsessed with politics.

Through these characters, Aristophanes criticizes the Athenian government for its militaristic policies, its corruption, and its disregard for the welfare of its citizens. He also uses comedy to highlight the flaws and weaknesses of the ruling class, such as their obsession with power and their willingness to sacrifice the interests of their people for their own gain.

Professor Sidwell's book is a valuable contribution to the study of Old Comedy and its political significance. He provides a fresh perspective on the genre and challenges traditional interpretations of it. By examining the political foundations of Old Comedy, Professor Sidwell sheds light on the complex relationship between comedy, politics, and society in ancient Greece.

In conclusion, this book provides a new interpretation of the nature of Old Comedy and its place at the heart of Athenian democratic politics. Professor Sidwell argues that Aristophanes and his rivals belonged to opposing political groups, each with their own political agenda. Through disguised caricature and parody of their rivals' work, the poets expressed and fuelled the political conflict between their factions. By rereading the principal texts of Aristophanes and the fragmented remains of the work of his rivals in the light of these arguments, Professor Sidwell sheds light on the political foundations that shaped the genre. This book is a valuable contribution to the study of Old Comedy and its political significance and will be of interest to scholars and students of ancient Greek literature and culture.

Weight: 614g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009073202