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Wasps – Parabasis ( p34-37 )

Wasps – Parabasis ( p34-37 ). THE CHORUS – SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE WRITER – ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE Defends the nature of his work 427 to 425 Aristophanes had difficulty breaking into the festivals– only having some of his jokes used by more famous comedians

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Wasps – Parabasis ( p34-37 )

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  1. Wasps – Parabasis (p34-37) THE CHORUS – SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE WRITER – ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE Defends the nature of his work 427 to 425 Aristophanes had difficulty breaking into the festivals– only having some of his jokes used by more famous comedians he’d had 3 plays in the last 3 years- the latest “CLOUDS” (about Socrates) was judged last. he criticises the audience for “treating him unfairly” Say’s he’d taken on the “greatest monster in the land” (Cleon) rather than small fry. the chorus likens Aristophanes to Heracles (12 labours) who took on the dog (Kuon=Kleon) who guards the underworld (Cerberus) He is going to try to save the city from him (and his cronies, informers, flatterers) He then in a single-breath chorus complians the audience was ‘too obtuse’ (thick) to see the point of the plays. His heroic effort (like Heracles) was wasted on them. The Chorus now says how they are brave victors of Marathon (“when men were men”), and even though the’ve been duped by Cleon, they’re better for Athens than “the namby-pamby youngsters of today” They are Attic Wasps with bad tempers who stung the Persians. ‘twas we who served the city best when those barbarians came” They recall the battle of Salamis when “we walloped them at sea.” The hardness of the Marathon men is contrasted with the sickness of the present full of spies, informers, warlike distrust, lacking confidence thanks to sophists blurring the truth No unity of purpose anymore (common goal) Now the wasps (jurors) are organised into swarms, stinging ALLto obtain big fines & ensure their own payment. They despise those who have not fought the Persian wars, and don’t sting the accused

  2. Wasps – Episodes after the Parabasis (p37-40) 2H Wasps episodes after the parabasis. (p 37-40)  THE CURE OF PHILOCLEON In these episodes (p80-90) we get into the generation gap and class gap in the sick city. - Both old and young are at fault, - the old marathon men, who don't want "a good time' but have been duped by the rulers, - the young who know the faults of the rulers, but with their love of luxury and fashion have not done anything to help the city. Bdelycleon tries to treat his father by teaching him to dress well (replace old brown fighters chiton for fashionable long Persian cloak, and Spartan strapped boots (Athens worst enemies), He resists with comic mime (can’t fit into them etc ), and wants his independence manners how to walk & recline elegantly, admire rugs, summon slaves & other social graces of modern Athens , Again much comic mime as he purposely stuffs it up the joys a symposium (upper class men’s drinking party – wine supplied – guests bring own food – discussion, singing dancing girls etc) Philocleon has to learn all this , but disgraces his son by his vulgar talk and bad manners – on purpose They head off to real Symposium and Chorus says its nice of Bdelycleon to try to civilize his dad, but he shouldn’t take from him his vitality, and fun (not become too posh) ie the need for compromise in war torn Athens At the symposium with Cleon’s lackeys Xanthius says he showed all his old vitality & no sucking up to them ‘leaping about like a young ass after a feed of barley: jumping up and down laughing and farting’ - ie not ruined by modern manners – Athens cold do with this independence of convention, BUT free from Cleon’s bribery & corruption. -he’s aggressively normal again- rubbishes the court, and makes bawdy comment involving flute girls, ropes and phalluses! But in the real world Athens is still mixed up Son still rules father “he’s a terrible old skinflint & very strict. You see I am his only father” ENCOUNTER SCENES – Philocleon meets several people who he offends with his rudeness and drunkenness - will have to face court in the morning – be on the receiving end of the jury

  3. Wasps – 2ndParabasis & Exodos (p41) A SECOND PARABASIS was an unusual feature (but Aristophanes is often innovative). Firstly the city is attacked for its dedication to fashion and empty values e.g. education and sophists - who teach how to win arguments rather than pursue truth, Secondly Aristophanes attacks Cleon for trying unsuccessfully to silence him in court after his comedy "Babylonians" 4 years ago by making suggestions of him being homosexually abused by Cleon EXODOS Finally the Chorus exit - the exodos with dance and comedy we see Philocleon has yet another skill an energetic crab dancer. -symbolic of return to the old fertile energies that made Athens successful, and away from decadence of ‘good manners’

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