CLAS 2051 Lecture Notes - Lysistrata, Ancient Greek Comedy, Sex Strike
Document Summary
Discuss what makes a good person vs bad person by using fantastical characters. Often death and destruction occurs if one does not follow the natural and divine laws. Performance of comedy was a method of worshiping the god dionysus. Having people die was a way of expressing the death of the land until spring (tragedy) vs first appearance in 500 bce the procreative nature of comedy in which fertility was expressed. Komos-oidos: literally, revelry-song actors wear padded suits (distended bellies representing gluttony) and flaccid penises- procreation, enjoyment of life. Old comedy- aristophanes- mostly what survived: writing in a time when athens was thriving frequent mentions of statesmen (mocking), very little government can do. Three main comedies featuring women: circa time when athens was at war with sparta, lysistrata 411 the most performed (publicly read) of aristophanes works. War with sparta sucking resources out of athens.
