Introduction to Democracy and Comedy

Welcome! In this chapter, we explore one of the most exciting ways the ancient Athenians looked at themselves: through Old Comedy. While other writers like Thucydides or Plato (see the "Democracy Idealised" and "Democracy Critiqued" chapters) wrote serious history or philosophy, the playwright Aristophanes used jokes, costumes, and satire to poke fun at the way Athens was run.

For your H408/34 exam, you need to know how Aristophanes represented the "developed" democracy of the 5th century BC and decide how serious his criticisms actually were. Was he just a comedian trying to win a prize, or was he a concerned citizen using laughter to give the city vital advice?

Key Concept: The "Comic Mirror"

Aristophanes’ plays often feature a "hero" who is an ordinary citizen frustrated by the state of Athens. Through these characters, Aristophanes "holds up a mirror" to the audience, showing them the flaws in their leaders, their courts, and their assembly. Don’t worry if the plays seem surreal—the "crazier" the plot, the more pointed the political message usually is!

1. The Assembly in Action: Acharnians (1–203)

In this extract, we meet Dicaeopolis, an ordinary farmer sitting alone on the Pnyx (the meeting place of the Assembly). He is waiting for the Ekklesia (Assembly) to start.

  • The Critique: Dicaeopolis is frustrated because the citizens are late, the politicians are self-interested, and no one is talking about peace.
  • Key Details: He describes the "Prytaneis" (the presiding officials) pushing and shoving to get the best seats, while the "Scythian Archers" (the police force) use red-stained ropes to herd people into the meeting.
  • Why it matters: It shows the apathy of the ordinary citizen and the perceived corruption of ambassadors who take "Persian gold" while the people suffer from the war.

Quick Tip: Look out for how Dicaeopolis represents the "honest countryman" versus the "slick city politician."

2. Attacking the Demagogues: Knights (147–395)

This play is a brutal attack on Cleon, the most powerful politician of the time. Aristophanes represents the Athenian People as a grumpy old man named Demos, who is being manipulated by a greedy slave called the Paphlagonian (a thin disguise for Cleon).

  • The Agon (Contest): Two other slaves find a Sausage-Seller and tell him he is destined to lead Athens. Why? Because he is "vile, low-born, and ignorant"—exactly what they claim is needed to beat a politician like Cleon!
  • The Satire: Aristophanes suggests that democracy has become a "race to the bottom." To beat a bad leader, you have to find someone even more "shameless."

Did you know? Aristophanes was so worried about Cleon's power that he supposedly had to play the role of the Paphlagonian himself because no actor was brave enough to offend the real Cleon!

3. The Law Courts and "Jurymania": Wasps

The extracts (471–712, 824–862, 891–994) focus on the Dikasteria (Law Courts). Philocleon is an old man addicted to jury service, while his son, Bdelycleon, tries to cure him.

The Argument (471–712)

Philocleon argues that jurors are the "kings" of Athens because they have the power to ruin anyone. However, Bdelycleon argues that the jurors are actually "slaves" to the politicians. He points out that while the city collects massive tribute from its empire, the jurors only get a tiny three-obol wage (introduced by Pericles and increased by Cleon) to keep them loyal.

The Mock Trial (824–994)

Since Philocleon can’t go to court, his son sets up a trial at home. The defendant? Labes the Dog, accused of stealing a Sicilian cheese. This is a parody of a real trial involving the general Laches.
The takeaway: Aristophanes is mocking how easily the Athenian courts can be manipulated by emotion and triviality.

4. The Poet’s Role: Peace (729–760) and Frogs (686–737)

In these sections, Aristophanes speaks directly to the audience (often through the Parabasis—a part of the play where the Chorus leader speaks for the playwright).

  • Peace: Aristophanes boasts that he has raised the "status" of comedy. He claims he doesn't just make "dirty jokes" but attacks monsters like Cleon to protect the people.
  • Frogs: The Chorus gives famous advice to the city. They use the analogy of coins. They say Athens is using "bad new coins" (bad new leaders) and ignoring the "good old gold coins" (noble, traditional citizens).

Key Takeaway: This is the strongest evidence that Aristophanes was serious. He believed the poet had a moral duty to provide didaskalia (teaching) to the polis.

5. Gender and Power: Ecclesiazusae (1–310)

In Assemblywomen, the women of Athens, led by Praxagora, dress up as men to sneak into the Assembly and vote to hand over the government to women.

  • The Critique: Praxagora argues that men have made a mess of the city because they are selfish and always changing their minds. Women, she says, are more practical and traditional (e.g., they still "sit down to roast their meat" like their grandmothers).
  • The "Upside-Down" World: This is a classic comic trope. By showing women (who had no political rights) doing a "better" job than men, Aristophanes highlights the failures of the current male-dominated democracy.

Common Student Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thinking Aristophanes hated democracy: Be careful! Most scholars think he loved the idea of democracy but hated the way it was being practiced by specific leaders like Cleon. He wanted a return to the "good old days" of Solon or the era of the Persian Wars.

2. Taking everything literally: Remember, these are comedies! When the Sausage-Seller says he will "sauté" the politicians, he isn't literally suggesting a BBQ—he's using a comic metaphor for political aggression.

3. Ignoring the Audience: Aristophanes had to win a competition. If his plays were just dry political lectures, he wouldn't have won. He had to balance "serious advice" with "slapstick humor."

Summary: How serious was he?

In your essays, you should argue that Aristophanes used humour as a tool. By making the audience laugh at Cleon’s greed or the jurors' obsession, he made his serious points more memorable.
Checklist of themes:

  1. Critique of demagogues (Cleon/The Paphlagonian).
  2. Frustration with corruption and bureaucracy (Acharnians).
  3. The danger of emotional law courts (Wasps).
  4. The poet’s duty to advise the city (Frogs/Peace).

Next Chapter: Check out "Democracy Critiqued" to see how the philosopher Plato felt about these same issues!