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Cover of The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2

The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2

Written by Aristophanes

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Comedy playsAristophanesGreek drama (Comedy)Athens (Greece)

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About this book

"The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2" by Aristophanes is a collection of comedic plays, written during the classical period of ancient Greece. This volume includes translations of several of Aristophanes' notable works, with a focus on satire directed at various aspects of Athenian life and society, particularly highlighting the absurdities of legal proceedings and social customs through clever characters and engaging plots. The opening portion of the volume introduces "The Wasps," one of Aristophanes' comedies, which centers around Philocleon, an elderly man obsessed with his role as a juryman, and his son, Bdelycleon, who wishes to help him abandon this unhealthy obsession. Bdelycleon's attempts to keep his father from attending the courts lead to humorous escapades, including Philocleon's ludicrous efforts to escape imprisonment in their home. The opening part sets the stage for a vivid exploration of the comical struggles between father and son, the farcical elements of their conflict, and Aristophanes' pointed commentary on the Athenian judicial system and the obsession with litigation that characterized his society.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 12 hours
  • advanced
  • humorous
  • satirical
  • witty

Aristophanes' "The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2" presents a vibrant collection of ancient Greek comedic plays, with a significant focus on "The Wasps," a biting satire on Athenian society. This volume masterfully uses humor, wit, and farcical plots to critique the legal system and social customs of the classical period. Through clever characterizations and engaging narratives, Aristophanes exposes the absurdities of human obsession and societal flaws. "The Wasps" particularly highlights the generational conflict between an elderly, litigation-addicted father and his exasperated son, offering both profound social commentary and uproarious entertainment. The collection stands as a testament to Aristophanes' enduring genius in political and social satire.

“Oh, the sweet joy of judging! To hold a man's fate in your hands, to condemn, to acquit!”

Key themes

Obsession and Addiction
The most prominent theme, explored through Philocleon's pathological addiction to jury duty. This obsession is portrayed as a disease that consumes his life, distorts his priorities, and isolates him from family, highlighting the dangers of allowing any single pursuit to dominate one's existence.
Critique of the Judicial System
Aristophanes uses "The Wasps" to launch a scathing satire of the Athenian judicial system, specifically targeting its inefficiency, susceptibility to manipulation by demagogues, and the way it exploited and consumed the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly the elderly who relied on jury pay.
Generational Conflict
The central dynamic between Philocleon and Bdelycleon highlights the clash between older traditions and values (Philocleon's adherence to jury duty as a civic virtue) and the more modern, pragmatic perspective of the younger generation (Bdelycleon's desire for his father to live a comfortable, less stressful life).

Worth discussing

How does Aristophanes use comedy to critique serious societal issues in 'The Wasps'?

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