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The Wasps
Wasps was first performed at the festival of the Lenaia early in 422 B.C. It is arguably one of Aristophanes' most entertaining and characteristic works, and the lack of serious difficulties in the text makes it accessible to the less advanced student of Greek.
130 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 423
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832 people want to read
About the author
Aristophanes
2,029 books725 followersAristophanes (Greek: Αριστοφάνης; c. 446 – c. 386 BC) was an Ancient Greek comic playwright from Athens and a poet of Old Attic Comedy. He wrote in total forty plays, of which eleven survive virtually complete today. These provide the most valuable examples of a genre of comic drama known as Old Comedy and are used to define it, along with fragments from dozens of lost plays by Aristophanes and his contemporaries.
Also known as "The Father of Comedy" and "the Prince of Ancient Comedy", Aristophanes has been said to recreate the life of ancient Athens more convincingly than any other author. His powers of ridicule were feared and acknowledged by influential contemporaries; Plato singled out Aristophanes' play The Clouds as slander that contributed to the trial and subsequent condemning to death of Socrates, although other satirical playwrights had also caricatured the philosopher.
Aristophanes' second play, The Babylonians (now lost), was denounced by Cleon as a slander against the Athenian polis. It is possible that the case was argued in court, but details of the trial are not recorded and Aristophanes caricatured Cleon mercilessly in his subsequent plays, especially The Knights, the first of many plays that he directed himself. "In my opinion," he says through that play's Chorus, "the author-director of comedies has the hardest job of all."
Also known as "The Father of Comedy" and "the Prince of Ancient Comedy", Aristophanes has been said to recreate the life of ancient Athens more convincingly than any other author. His powers of ridicule were feared and acknowledged by influential contemporaries; Plato singled out Aristophanes' play The Clouds as slander that contributed to the trial and subsequent condemning to death of Socrates, although other satirical playwrights had also caricatured the philosopher.
Aristophanes' second play, The Babylonians (now lost), was denounced by Cleon as a slander against the Athenian polis. It is possible that the case was argued in court, but details of the trial are not recorded and Aristophanes caricatured Cleon mercilessly in his subsequent plays, especially The Knights, the first of many plays that he directed himself. "In my opinion," he says through that play's Chorus, "the author-director of comedies has the hardest job of all."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 3, 2019
There was an old man so litigious
That he dwelt in a way near-religious
On his lawsuits, the silly old grouse.
His son, who was somewhat fastidious,
Found the old codger’s bumblings insidious,
And locked him up in his own house.
There he gave him a law-court prestigious
Judging Cleon-like dogs who stole smidgets
Of cheese. What a drunken old souse!
The subtext is here the democracy
Whose leaders misused its bureaucracy
To persecute enemies. Raus!
That he dwelt in a way near-religious
On his lawsuits, the silly old grouse.
His son, who was somewhat fastidious,
Found the old codger’s bumblings insidious,
And locked him up in his own house.
There he gave him a law-court prestigious
Judging Cleon-like dogs who stole smidgets
Of cheese. What a drunken old souse!
The subtext is here the democracy
Whose leaders misused its bureaucracy
To persecute enemies. Raus!
December 21, 2018
My first Aristophanes play, pretty new to ancient Greek satire. Completely unfamiliar with the jury system of the time. And yet, some of this is very relevant today. Jury duty earning the participants a poor ration of money. Then spinning everything so events become wildly outlandish until we end up with crabs walking around everywhere.
Stepping back, Aristophanes is making some pretty bold claims for his time. He's picking at a seriously inadequate judicial system. Comparing the entire judging class to a wasp's nest is brimming with inspiration for modern day memes.
My guess is this is the type of play that improves with each re-reading. So 3 stars for now with these 1st impressions still fresh in my mind.
Stepping back, Aristophanes is making some pretty bold claims for his time. He's picking at a seriously inadequate judicial system. Comparing the entire judging class to a wasp's nest is brimming with inspiration for modern day memes.
My guess is this is the type of play that improves with each re-reading. So 3 stars for now with these 1st impressions still fresh in my mind.
July 10, 2015
Very much a reflecting of our own society
13 June 2012
This ancient Athenian play is about something that is quite close to our heart even today:the generation gap. I remember reading a play in High School English called One Day of the Year which is also about the generation gap, though in this play the conflict is over the appropriate way to celebrate Anzac Day (a holiday which celebrates our fallen war heroes for all you non-Australians out there). I will not go into any further detail on this play here as I will leave it for a later commentary on the play itself, though no doubt I will be returning to The Wasps when I do write the commentary (if I remember that is).
The Wasps is about a father and a son who have interesting names. In the translation I read the father was called Procleon and the son Anticleon, however it appears the names are actually more like Philocleon and Bdelycleon. I will use David Barrets' translation as I feel that that translation is more accurate to the English meaning than simply attempting to transliterate the Greek. Anyway, the question might be asked as to who this Cleon is that the father supports and the son dislikes, but first I should write a bit about Aristophanes and the Old Comedy.
Aristophanes is unique in all of the extant Greco-roman plays in that it is what is termed as Old Comedy. The difference between the two styles is that Old Comedy is very politically incorrect, the humour very base, and Aristophanes shows a willingness to mock many of the leading Athenian citizens. In fact he has a go at a lot of famous Greeks such as Socrates and Euripides, though it should be noted that many of these figures were contemporaries of Aristophanes and as such the figures that he mocked would be known to the audience at the time. New Comedy is nothing like this, and to give you a contemporary idea the New Comedy is more like a situation comedy, usually dealing with middle class people and has little to no political overtone.
I guess the reason that Aristophanes is unique is in a sense that the Athens of Aristophanes, unlike that of the later playwrights (such as Menander), there was still quite a lot of freedom, in particular freedom to speak out against the policies and actions of Athens' leaders. Come the time of Menander it would not have been acceptable to criticise the leaders of Athens, particularly since at that time the ruler was Phillip of Macedon (the father of Alexander) and as such criticising him would not have been endearing to one's health. However, the style of Menander is then passed on down to writers like Terrence and Plautus, who lived in a more freer and democratic Rome than the Athens of Menander, so it is interesting that the sit-com style stuck.
As mentioned, the Wasps is about the generation gap. Procleon's problem is that he is addicted to litigation, not that he will sue anybody that upsets him, but rather that he likes to sit on the jury to decide cases (and always finds the defendant guilty). However Anticleon does not like this because he simply believes that his father is being used and exploited by the powers that be (namely Cleon) for their own personal gain. In a way sitting on a jury gives Procleon as sense of power and importance, though in the days of Classical Athens anybody could do so, though it generally fell to the province of the elderly, namely because their warrior days were finished.
There is mention of this in the play, but life in Classical Athens was not all that easy, and while it was better, and freer, than many other places, there was still an element of hardship, and one of them was the idea of endless war. Even in the period between the defeat of the Persians and the beginning of the Peloponesian War, there was always at least one war or battle that the Athenians were involved in (such as driving the Persians out of Anatolia). It would have been highly likely that somebody of Procleon's age would have fought in the Persian Wars, somewhat like our Grandfather's generation having fought in World War II. It was a good war, and those who fought in those wars were heroes, no matter their social standing. However, at the time of the play, it was the Peloponesian War, a bitter civil war between two Greek city states, and while not similar, parallels can be drawn with the Vietnam War (or even the Iraq war). In a sense, the older generation fought a noble battle, while the younger generation were embroiled in a controversial war (one in which Athens lands up on the losing side).
The problem with the plays of Aristophanes is that a lot of background knowledge is required to understand what is happening, which is why Aristophanes is not the first Ancient Greek text one should read. For instance, there are always references to Cleon, and not understanding who Cleon is and what he represents affects one's understanding of the play (Cleon was a corrupt politician who reached out to the older generation as his supporter base). Further, there are some events, such as when Procleon tries to escape from the house under a donkey, that harkens back to the Odyssey. Those who do not know how Odysseus escaped from the cyclops will be lost with this particular joke.
Everything comes back to haunt both parties at the end of the play. Anticleon manages to convince his father of the futility of sitting on juries and attempts to bring him into the young and sophisticated crowd, but unfortunately this is not his crowd and he ends up making a complete fool out of himself. It is not so much Procleon's fault, but also Anticleon's misunderstanding of the generation gap. His father attempts to enter the younger crowd, but their society is lost on him. The younger crowd are the new people rising up to take their rightful place while the older crowd have had their time in the sun and are still caught up in the 'good old days' when things were great and they actually meant something to society. However all they are now is old and in the way.
13 June 2012
This ancient Athenian play is about something that is quite close to our heart even today:the generation gap. I remember reading a play in High School English called One Day of the Year which is also about the generation gap, though in this play the conflict is over the appropriate way to celebrate Anzac Day (a holiday which celebrates our fallen war heroes for all you non-Australians out there). I will not go into any further detail on this play here as I will leave it for a later commentary on the play itself, though no doubt I will be returning to The Wasps when I do write the commentary (if I remember that is).
The Wasps is about a father and a son who have interesting names. In the translation I read the father was called Procleon and the son Anticleon, however it appears the names are actually more like Philocleon and Bdelycleon. I will use David Barrets' translation as I feel that that translation is more accurate to the English meaning than simply attempting to transliterate the Greek. Anyway, the question might be asked as to who this Cleon is that the father supports and the son dislikes, but first I should write a bit about Aristophanes and the Old Comedy.
Aristophanes is unique in all of the extant Greco-roman plays in that it is what is termed as Old Comedy. The difference between the two styles is that Old Comedy is very politically incorrect, the humour very base, and Aristophanes shows a willingness to mock many of the leading Athenian citizens. In fact he has a go at a lot of famous Greeks such as Socrates and Euripides, though it should be noted that many of these figures were contemporaries of Aristophanes and as such the figures that he mocked would be known to the audience at the time. New Comedy is nothing like this, and to give you a contemporary idea the New Comedy is more like a situation comedy, usually dealing with middle class people and has little to no political overtone.
I guess the reason that Aristophanes is unique is in a sense that the Athens of Aristophanes, unlike that of the later playwrights (such as Menander), there was still quite a lot of freedom, in particular freedom to speak out against the policies and actions of Athens' leaders. Come the time of Menander it would not have been acceptable to criticise the leaders of Athens, particularly since at that time the ruler was Phillip of Macedon (the father of Alexander) and as such criticising him would not have been endearing to one's health. However, the style of Menander is then passed on down to writers like Terrence and Plautus, who lived in a more freer and democratic Rome than the Athens of Menander, so it is interesting that the sit-com style stuck.
As mentioned, the Wasps is about the generation gap. Procleon's problem is that he is addicted to litigation, not that he will sue anybody that upsets him, but rather that he likes to sit on the jury to decide cases (and always finds the defendant guilty). However Anticleon does not like this because he simply believes that his father is being used and exploited by the powers that be (namely Cleon) for their own personal gain. In a way sitting on a jury gives Procleon as sense of power and importance, though in the days of Classical Athens anybody could do so, though it generally fell to the province of the elderly, namely because their warrior days were finished.
There is mention of this in the play, but life in Classical Athens was not all that easy, and while it was better, and freer, than many other places, there was still an element of hardship, and one of them was the idea of endless war. Even in the period between the defeat of the Persians and the beginning of the Peloponesian War, there was always at least one war or battle that the Athenians were involved in (such as driving the Persians out of Anatolia). It would have been highly likely that somebody of Procleon's age would have fought in the Persian Wars, somewhat like our Grandfather's generation having fought in World War II. It was a good war, and those who fought in those wars were heroes, no matter their social standing. However, at the time of the play, it was the Peloponesian War, a bitter civil war between two Greek city states, and while not similar, parallels can be drawn with the Vietnam War (or even the Iraq war). In a sense, the older generation fought a noble battle, while the younger generation were embroiled in a controversial war (one in which Athens lands up on the losing side).
The problem with the plays of Aristophanes is that a lot of background knowledge is required to understand what is happening, which is why Aristophanes is not the first Ancient Greek text one should read. For instance, there are always references to Cleon, and not understanding who Cleon is and what he represents affects one's understanding of the play (Cleon was a corrupt politician who reached out to the older generation as his supporter base). Further, there are some events, such as when Procleon tries to escape from the house under a donkey, that harkens back to the Odyssey. Those who do not know how Odysseus escaped from the cyclops will be lost with this particular joke.
Everything comes back to haunt both parties at the end of the play. Anticleon manages to convince his father of the futility of sitting on juries and attempts to bring him into the young and sophisticated crowd, but unfortunately this is not his crowd and he ends up making a complete fool out of himself. It is not so much Procleon's fault, but also Anticleon's misunderstanding of the generation gap. His father attempts to enter the younger crowd, but their society is lost on him. The younger crowd are the new people rising up to take their rightful place while the older crowd have had their time in the sun and are still caught up in the 'good old days' when things were great and they actually meant something to society. However all they are now is old and in the way.
August 25, 2020
5/11.
უკვე მომწონს ის ფაქტი, რომ არისტოფანეს რიტმიკაში კარგად ვყვები, უფრო მეტ სიამოვნებას ვიღებ კითხვის პროცესისგან. ძაან სლეი ადამიანი იყო ეს კაცი, და რაც მთავარია არ ეშინოდა იმის რო ეთქვა რა სლეიც იყო და თან უყვარდა იმის თქმა რა სლეიც იყო. ;) ყველანაირად ინოვატორი თავის სფეროში, არ ვიცი რავი. რაც უფრო და უფრო წინ მივდივარ, უფრო ვგიჟდები ამ კომედიებზე. კონკრეტულად კრაზანებით, ძალზე მწარე სილა გააწნა იმდროინდელ სასამართლო სისტემას, ათენის მოწყობის ტიპს, ფულის განაწილების სისტემას, უხუცესებს და რაც მთავარია კლეონს, რაზეც აგებულია მთლიანად სიუჟეტი. ფილოკლეონი ანუ მოხუცი პერსონაჟი, რომელიც "კლეონის მყვარებლად" შეგვიძლია ვთარგმნოთ და მისი ვაჟი "ბდელიკლეონი - კლეონის მოძულე", რომელიც ცდილობს მოხუცი მამა, სწორ გზაზე დააყენოს და თავისი საშინელი ჩვევებისა და მსოფხედველობისგან იხსნას. ეს ავტომატურად თაობათა განსხვავებული ხედვების დაპირისპირებაცაა, თან ეს ყველაფერი საოცარი ირონიის ფონზე და ამასთან კომედიისთვის უამრავი, ჯერ არნაცადი ელემენტების დამატებით (მაგ: ცეკვით გასვლა, აბსურდიზმი, კიბორჩხალები, ნესტრები, პირადი მიმართვა მაყურებლისადმი და ა.შ) და საბოლოოდ ლენეების ფესტივალის პირველი ადგილით დასრულებით. SLAY MAMA.
უკვე მომწონს ის ფაქტი, რომ არისტოფანეს რიტმიკაში კარგად ვყვები, უფრო მეტ სიამოვნებას ვიღებ კითხვის პროცესისგან. ძაან სლეი ადამიანი იყო ეს კაცი, და რაც მთავარია არ ეშინოდა იმის რო ეთქვა რა სლეიც იყო და თან უყვარდა იმის თქმა რა სლეიც იყო. ;) ყველანაირად ინოვატორი თავის სფეროში, არ ვიცი რავი. რაც უფრო და უფრო წინ მივდივარ, უფრო ვგიჟდები ამ კომედიებზე. კონკრეტულად კრაზანებით, ძალზე მწარე სილა გააწნა იმდროინდელ სასამართლო სისტემას, ათენის მოწყობის ტიპს, ფულის განაწილების სისტემას, უხუცესებს და რაც მთავარია კლეონს, რაზეც აგებულია მთლიანად სიუჟეტი. ფილოკლეონი ანუ მოხუცი პერსონაჟი, რომელიც "კლეონის მყვარებლად" შეგვიძლია ვთარგმნოთ და მისი ვაჟი "ბდელიკლეონი - კლეონის მოძულე", რომელიც ცდილობს მოხუცი მამა, სწორ გზაზე დააყენოს და თავისი საშინელი ჩვევებისა და მსოფხედველობისგან იხსნას. ეს ავტომატურად თაობათა განსხვავებული ხედვების დაპირისპირებაცაა, თან ეს ყველაფერი საოცარი ირონიის ფონზე და ამასთან კომედიისთვის უამრავი, ჯერ არნაცადი ელემენტების დამატებით (მაგ: ცეკვით გასვლა, აბსურდიზმი, კიბორჩხალები, ნესტრები, პირადი მიმართვა მაყურებლისადმი და ა.შ) და საბოლოოდ ლენეების ფესტივალის პირველი ადგილით დასრულებით. SLAY MAMA.
February 27, 2025
Lo he leído porque me lo mandaron leer en un clase de humanidades y tenía 0 expectativas, y la vd q me ha gustado bastante, ha tenido gracia y todo
February 25, 2020
Fyndið leikrit, bæði á sinn eigin hátt en einnig að því leytinu til sem það er rosalega "topical" og "local"—maður tengir bara ekkert við það að það sé eitthvað tiltekið vandamál "hversu margir elska að mæta til kviðdóms"—við bara eigum enga raunverulega hliðstæðu við þetta, að 500-1500 manns hafi verið fengnir til þess að kjósa um sekt eða sakleysi og fengið greitt fyrir það. Samt sem áður var margt sem ég hló upphátt yfir—sérstaklega dómsmál hundsins Labesar. Í inngangi að verkinu vísar ritstjóri verksins í A.W. Schlegel sem ku hafa sagt eitthvað á þá leið að þetta sé langdregið og takmarkað verk—og ég held að ég sé sammála. Smá þunnt.
March 13, 2024
y el perro era nada más y nada menos que perro sanxe
October 22, 2014
Okay, I'm not quite sure what Aristophanes was on when he wrote this play. Aside from having a typical satirical tone, The Wasps has some very odd qualities to it, including men arguing with wasps and dancers dressing up as crabs. Maybe it's because the opening of the play shows two completely wasted servants- perhaps the play is a bit "drunk" itself. Nevertheless, I enjoy the weirdness of this play, and honestly am not surprised that it turned out this way.
Once again, Aristophanes attacks local politicians, especially this one guy called Cleon. In The Wasps, Aristophanes uses a generational gap between a father and a son to convey separate feelings about the government at the time. Although I have come to expect poilitcal messages from him, I also really enjoy the addition of typical life into these plays- I like being able to see how the common person would have lived so long ago, and reading the works of Aristophanes has really helped me to see just how they lived from day to day.
Once again, Aristophanes attacks local politicians, especially this one guy called Cleon. In The Wasps, Aristophanes uses a generational gap between a father and a son to convey separate feelings about the government at the time. Although I have come to expect poilitcal messages from him, I also really enjoy the addition of typical life into these plays- I like being able to see how the common person would have lived so long ago, and reading the works of Aristophanes has really helped me to see just how they lived from day to day.
Read
February 17, 2025Short read (120ish pages) for my Foundations of Political Thought class. I don’t know how I’d describe this… but it was funny and gave some insight on the court system of Athens.
February 17, 2017
I find reading the classics something fabulous! The Wasps is an ancient Greek play written by Aristophanes poking fun at the jury system and the perhaps strong litigiousness in the Athenian Society. I found it very fun indeed (and because I am a dog person the trial of the dog is second to none!!). This play brings to us a critic view of the law and it's interconnection with the world of politics in 422 BCE when this play was first seen.
It's a still a hoot and I thoroughly enjoyed it, though it is part of my research in the intersectionality of law, literature and popular culture. Constant victories and indeed a great read. 4. 5 stars.
It's a still a hoot and I thoroughly enjoyed it, though it is part of my research in the intersectionality of law, literature and popular culture. Constant victories and indeed a great read. 4. 5 stars.
October 7, 2016
A very unique and comedic look at the politics and economics of Greece. Wasps shows how when men can cluster together in a political forum, they turn ravenous and deadly towards others and towards themselves. But since this is written by Aristophanes, he also manages to juggle this message along with some very hilarious scenes (one in particular, would have to be the scene where Bdelycleon and Philocleon have a court over a guilty dog. The ending to the whole play is a little floppy, while it also manages to tell a good message on how hypocritical men can be in the right situations- even enough to give up their own ideals. Wasps is definitely one of Aristophanes' better plays, and a very enjoyable read.
September 27, 2013
Still has quite a lot of relevance nowadays; were it not for the names, the customs and the public offices uniique to 5th century BC Athens, one could feel this work to be in any setting "closer to home". It themes are profound, its everpresent, underlying critique of the powers-that-were on Athens at that time masqueraded as a somehow grotesque satire. If one can get past the names, the forms of speech and the solemnity of the characters, one sees deep, desperate humans, each vying for something in particular, fighting, stinging like a proverbial wasp to get it. Deep, hilarious at some parts, unbelievably boring at some others; nonetheless this classic should get read more.
March 9, 2021
Skemmti mér konunglega. Mjög mikið af prumpu/typpabröndurum. kannski hefði ég ekki fílað þetta ef þetta væri nútímaleikrit - en af því að þetta gerist í menningarheimi sem ég þekki ekki þá fannst mér gaman að kynnast húmornum og núönsum úr menningunni. Virkaði pínu á mig eins og áramótaskaup - með öll þessi skot á alls konar fólk.
November 5, 2022
A farce/satire on law courts. I like the trial of the dog and, even more, the conflict of upright son and wayward father.
March 16, 2018
La commedia parla di un padre e di un figlio i cui ruoli sono invertiti.
Il padre è un giudice ormai anziano che il figlio obbliga a stare in casa rinchiundendocelo perchè vorrebbe che il padre facesse la bella vita. Lo scopo del figlio è quello di mandare in pensione il padre, mantenerlo, in sostanza, impedirgli di fare il giudice nonostante il padre voglia fare solo quello.
Dopo una disputa verbale e mettendolo davanti alla scelta di fare il giudice in casa (come si fa con i bambini, facendogli immaginare di essere in tribunale e mettendo in scena delle cause fittizie) il figlio cerca di educare il padre sul come stare in società, ripassando con lui le regole del simposio e del buon comportamento, che va contro l'individualizzazione dell'uomo.
In sostanza la commedia è carina, mi è piaciuta.
E' corta, rappresenta bene lo stile di Aristofane e si presta a varie interpretazioni sociali e morali.
Il padre è un giudice ormai anziano che il figlio obbliga a stare in casa rinchiundendocelo perchè vorrebbe che il padre facesse la bella vita. Lo scopo del figlio è quello di mandare in pensione il padre, mantenerlo, in sostanza, impedirgli di fare il giudice nonostante il padre voglia fare solo quello.
Dopo una disputa verbale e mettendolo davanti alla scelta di fare il giudice in casa (come si fa con i bambini, facendogli immaginare di essere in tribunale e mettendo in scena delle cause fittizie) il figlio cerca di educare il padre sul come stare in società, ripassando con lui le regole del simposio e del buon comportamento, che va contro l'individualizzazione dell'uomo.
In sostanza la commedia è carina, mi è piaciuta.
E' corta, rappresenta bene lo stile di Aristofane e si presta a varie interpretazioni sociali e morali.
May 24, 2022
Another greek comedy that Aristophanes focuses on bashing against Cleon. This one is rather poor.
I'm getting a bit tired of Aristophanes non-sense talking, which has no fun at all. He tries to expose Cleon vulgarity and the problems with Athens legal system, but does so in a very poor way, with a lot of unknown references. It's somewhat hard to read even in english.
Estimated reading time: 2h30m
I'm getting a bit tired of Aristophanes non-sense talking, which has no fun at all. He tries to expose Cleon vulgarity and the problems with Athens legal system, but does so in a very poor way, with a lot of unknown references. It's somewhat hard to read even in english.
Estimated reading time: 2h30m
January 21, 2020
What a brilliant mix of satire, exploration of the relationship between the older generation and the new and a criticism of the law courts. If you're going to read this play do yourself a favour and research the time this was written... it will pay off. Was going to give it 4 stars but the ending threw me. My brain the moment I finished: ?????? What...
April 1, 2020
7.5/10, David Barrett translation
This honestly reads much more like a play from the some postmodern tome - genuinely funny, talking animals standing trial, cheese graters being witnesses, plenty of sex jokes, the narrative kind of falling away somewhere but you don't really mind.
Just a very good play.
This honestly reads much more like a play from the some postmodern tome - genuinely funny, talking animals standing trial, cheese graters being witnesses, plenty of sex jokes, the narrative kind of falling away somewhere but you don't really mind.
Just a very good play.
February 5, 2020
Á sína góðu og slæmu kafla. Hef aldrei verið sérstaklega hrifinn af þessum kómedíum en þetta var fínt.
September 19, 2024
Divertida consideração sobre a tara de julgamentos ateniense.
May 12, 2018
La pièce d'Aristophane a laquelle j'ai le moins accroché. Probablement de part son thème, moins universel, moins actuel, de la Justice dans l’Athènes de Cléon.
April 30, 2018
Read in high school Classics.
March 3, 2025
Fav of Aristophanes so far
May 3, 2013
The Wasps is a comedy written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes and translated into English by Benjamin Rogers. The Wasps like most of Aristophanes's work finds its humor by showing the ridiculousness of leading Athenian politicians of the 5th century BC. This particular play focuses on the relationship between the dicasts who formed the judicial community of Athens and the demagogues who were its chief politicians. The story begins at the home of Philocleon, a dicast who has been held captive in his home by Bdelycleon his son who wishes to cure him of his addiction to judging. While in English these two names appear strange to the original audience they have more meaning. Philocleon means friend of Cleon, who was the premier demagogue of Athens at the time while Bdelycleon means hater of Cleon. The beginning of the play reads like an indictment of trial lawyers, those parasites which still fester in our criminal and civil justice system today, but overall the focus of the play is about the lack of power of the dicasts which they have given away to the demagogues. While this seems less talked about today it still is an issue in a world where who you know matters more than what you know. Over the course of this play Bdelycleon is able to show his father the unfair chains which he has wrapped around himself and convinces him to retire from the dicasts. In our own lives we must always look at what our actions and addictions are costing us. While the purely financial side may be minimal often there are hidden costs in time and our feelings of self worth. I know this is true in my own life and in this area I do not believe that I am unique. However once we decide one thing needs changing we must find something worthwhile to change it into. It does no good to do as Philocleon and change from a man too focused on work to one who is an alcoholic. I would argue we should better put our plans before God and ask his help transforming us to be like him.
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October 25, 2020~read for ancient comedy class~
uhhh it would've been better if it didn't have to write about it... interesting to see how humour hasn't changed much since the 5th c BCE though. good on ya, Aristophanes.
uhhh it would've been better if it didn't have to write about it... interesting to see how humour hasn't changed much since the 5th c BCE though. good on ya, Aristophanes.
February 10, 2017
I found Wasps weaker than Clouds. There are very good moments but quality of the play has descending tendency...
About a first third (2/5) is really funny with witty and interesitnf dialogues, just excellent. In the middle it gradualy declines and I felt like Aristophanes could have used that idea of home-court in much better way, but still it's good... but than after it, for me the rest of play is just unfunny full mess...
Looking back it's very good play but since it is descending in quality it gives you that negative feeling (I guess I would judge it more positively if the shape was opposite).
About a first third (2/5) is really funny with witty and interesitnf dialogues, just excellent. In the middle it gradualy declines and I felt like Aristophanes could have used that idea of home-court in much better way, but still it's good... but than after it, for me the rest of play is just unfunny full mess...
Looking back it's very good play but since it is descending in quality it gives you that negative feeling (I guess I would judge it more positively if the shape was opposite).
January 20, 2023
Didn't know the Ancient Greeks could be so funny - a surprisingly delicious read. Aristophanes was an exceptional pun-ist (though heavy reliance on the footnotes was required to understand all the jokes). The translators did a fantastic job restoring the work - I've learnt a lot about the Ancient Greeks of 422 BCE. Philoclean was hilarious, and Bdelycleon was quite pleasant (he actually felt quite British to me). Nonetheless, I'm still a tad confused about what happened, but it was enjoyable and that's all that matters. Would highly recommend to anyone who is interested by the Ancient Greeks, the intricacies/shortcomings of the legal system or comedy.
February 20, 2018
If the only exposure to ancient Greece you had was the works of Aristophanes, then you would envision it as a sort of conglomeration of ancient red light districts stretching from the Peloponnese half way across Turkey from the Euxine to Sardis. And for me personally, that is quite an amusing picture (especially after reading Plato's rambles about the Good and Temperance), and it leads me to consider Aristophanes as an evil, less talented (no disgrace in that) version of Shakespeare.
June 11, 2017
This is an unusual satire about the Athenian jury system. It is of more interest to the historian – providing a rich vein of information about the civil trial system in Athens – than the theatre lover. The play mines comedy from an unlikely topic and wraps up with a wild finish.
I’m not sure what to make of it other than it’s not must-read material. This is for the Aristophanes completist only.
The University of Michigan edition provides a good introduction and notes.
I’m not sure what to make of it other than it’s not must-read material. This is for the Aristophanes completist only.
The University of Michigan edition provides a good introduction and notes.
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