Greek Comedy, Satyrs, and Aristophanes: Crash Course Theater #4

Summary

In this Crash Course Theater episode, Mike Rugnetta explores Greek satyr plays and classical Greek comedy, focusing on Aristophanes' *Lysistrata*. Satyr plays, typically comedic and lewd, offered a break from the serious tragedies, often featuring drunken satyrs and moral debates. In contrast, comedies like *Lysistrata* satirize contemporary life, politics, and war. The play depicts Athenian and Spartan women withholding sex to end the Peloponnesian War, highlighting the absurdity of conflict. Through humor, the play critiques war, gender roles, and social conventions, blending radical ideas with classic comedic farce.

Takeaways

• 😀 Satyr plays were comedic, raunchy performances meant to lighten the mood after tragic plays, featuring satyrs and crude humor.
• 😀 Only one complete satyr play survives, Euripides’ *Cyclops*, which humorously reimagines an episode from *The Odyssey*.
• 😀 Greek comedy originated from the word 'komoidia,' meaning 'party song,' and became a distinct genre in ancient Athens.
• 😀 Aristophanes was the most famous Greek comedy playwright, known for his political satire and irreverent humor.
• 😀 Greek comedy often mocked contemporary life and politics, unlike tragedies that were set in mythic or foreign contexts.
• 😀 *Lysistrata* (411 BCE), by Aristophanes, is a famous comedy where women withhold sex to end the Peloponnesian War.
• 😀 The play *Lysistrata* satirizes the absurdity of war and gender roles, with women using sex as leverage to achieve peace.
• 😀 Comedy in ancient Greece was often over-the-top, using exaggerated costumes and phalli to add humor to political critiques.
• 😀 In *Lysistrata*, the women’s oath to withhold sex is comically detailed and highlights the absurdity of social conventions.
• 😀 *Lysistrata* was radical for its time, portraying women as powerful and central characters, though the resolution relies on sexist humor.
• 😀 Aristophanes adapted his comedy style later in his career due to Athens’ changing political climate, shifting from satire of specific figures to more general comedic themes.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of satyr plays in classical Greek theater?

Satyr plays were intended to cheer up the audience after a series of tragic plays. They offered comic relief by featuring raunchy humor, often with exaggerated and absurd depictions of mythological stories, with satyrs being the central characters.

What distinguishes satyr plays from classical Greek comedy?

Satyr plays are set in the mythological past and are typically rural, focusing on messing things up and featuring a satyr chorus. In contrast, classical Greek comedies are set in contemporary Athens, often poking fun at real-life issues, and typically feature urban settings and more structured plots that aim to restore social order.

How did Aristophanes adapt to changing political circumstances in Athens?

As the political situation in Athens became more tense and less tolerant of satire, Aristophanes adapted by shifting from targeting specific politicians to creating composite comic figures and using smaller choruses, making his work more broadly applicable and less directly threatening.

Why is 'Lysistrata' by Aristophanes still relevant today?

'Lysistrata' remains relevant because it deals with universal themes such as the senselessness of war and the power of peaceful resistance. The play's portrayal of women demanding peace by withholding sex reflects frustrations that still resonate in contemporary discussions about war and gender roles.

What is the central plot of 'Lysistrata'?

'Lysistrata' is about the women of Athens, led by Lysistrata, who withhold sex from their husbands to force them to end the Peloponnesian War. They take control of the Acropolis, which houses Athens' financial resources, to demonstrate their resolve and negotiate peace.

How does the 'Lysistrata' play with social conventions?

The play satirizes social conventions, particularly gender roles in ancient Greece, by showing women taking control and using their sexuality as a tool for political action. The humor comes from the absurdity of these women defying patriarchal expectations, while also making light of sacred rituals and beliefs.

What role does the goddess of Reconciliation play in the resolution of the conflict in 'Lysistrata'?

The goddess of Reconciliation is personified as a naked woman, and the male characters agree to peace not because of Lysistrata's wisdom, but because they desire her sexually. This underscores the play's blend of humor, misogyny, and critique of male motivations in war.

How does the humor in 'Lysistrata' reflect the style of classical Greek comedy?

The humor in 'Lysistrata' is exaggerated, bawdy, and often lewd, typical of classical Greek comedy. It uses physical comedy, wordplay, and absurd scenarios—such as the women making an oath to refrain from specific types of sex—to satirize social and political issues.

What was the significance of the parabasis in Greek comedy?

The parabasis was a direct address from the chorus to the audience, breaking the fourth wall. It allowed the playwright to comment on contemporary events, offer opinions, or engage in political satire, making it a unique feature of Greek comedy.

What does the use of phalluses in satyr plays and comedies represent?

The use of phalluses in satyr plays and comedies is a symbolic representation of fertility, masculinity, and sexuality. It also serves as a comedic device to enhance the lewd and bawdy nature of these performances, which were intended to amuse and shock the audience.