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Wasps - Coggle Diagram
Wasps
Context
Aristophanes longed for the days where the 'Marathon Men' led Greece to victory over the Persians
he also realised the traditionalists had allowed themselves to become weak, playing into the hands of people like Cleon
Thus there are faults on both sides in the plays of Aristophanes.
There are always two contrasting groups of ideas - the values that the plays are celebrating, and those they are attacking
he generally preferred the countryside, peace, and the old way, rather than war, logic, and new education
In all Aristophanes' plays, old and new are locked in a life-and-death struggle. He always prefers the old, but is honest enough to admit that there are faults on both sides.
Philocleon is old, fought against the Spartans, and is full of life. We admire him but are forced to admit that he has been stupid and allowed himself through greed to be duped by Cleon's influence
he therefore represents a sickness that is deep-rooted in the whole of Athens
Although his son Bdelycleon is a modern, long-haired, 'namby-pamby', he is literally anti-Cleon, pro-peace and truly cares for his father's well-being. The structure reveals faults and strengths on both sides.
Athenian Juries
Jurors got a small ‘juror duty’ salary under Pericles, which Cleon increased to 3 obols (about $50), so it was coveted by older Athenians who were not physically able to work for a full day’s wage (1 drachma = about $100).
As Meineck says in his introduction to the Wasps, “The jury system lay at the heart of the Athenian democracy.”
the Constitution of the Athenians states that the Athenians have more festivals than any other Greek city, and that they have more public and private trials “to a degree beyond that of all other men” (Ath. Pol. 3.2)
. Usually is it the part of the father to check the exuberant young man’s excesses and teach him to behave properly in company. But in this play the son must suppress his father’s outlandish behavior.
In the parabasis of Wasps, the Chorus uses the expression of the “modern” young men in Athens, as it brags that the older generation, themselves, was better, stronger, and more moral, and says that the younger generation was more depraved
Summary
Standing Guard
At the onset of the play, two servants named Sosias and Xanthias are guarding a house. Both are fighting off sleep even though the man they are watching over often attempts to escape
They are guarding an old man named Philocleon. They challenge the audience to guess what the illness is that Philocleon has
They reveal that Philocleon is not addicted to alcohol and is not a gambler, but he is addicted to the court.
The servants stretch a net over the house to keep Philocleon from escaping and proceed to fall asleep.
The master of the house, Bdelocleon (Hatecleon) catches the servants sleeping and calls for their help.
His father Philocleon has climbed into the furnace and is attempting to disguise himself as smoke to escape. After Philocleon is secure inside once again, the servant Sosias suggests that they have another nap.
Bdelocleon warns that Philocleon's supporters will come looking to free him at midnight, but nevertheless Sosias and Xanthias fall back to sleep.
The Wasps
The chorus is filled with Philocleon's supporters who arrive while the servants sleep. They are a group of dicasts who are judges and jurors dressed as wasps.
They attempt to help Philocleon escape out a window, but Bdelocleon returns in time to stop him. Bdelocleon and the two servants are swarmed by the chorus of wasps.
To solve the issue in a nonviolent manner, Bdelocleon offers to battle his father with words. Philocleon agrees so Bdelocleon sits at a writing table and records every argument that his father makes. To each argument he has a reply.
When Philocleon suggests that he has done well to people by holding court, Bdelocleon points out the plight of the supplicants - those who come to plead at the court
philocleon admits defeat
The Dog's Trial
Philocleon is at a loss on what to do with himself now that Bdelocleon's argument has cured him of his addiction to the court.
Bdelocleon suggests setting up a court in their own home to handle internal affairs. Philocleon approves of this idea
when one of the household dogs is caught stealing cheese, he has his first defendant. The dog is put on trial with another household dog as a witness.
When the dog is unable to defend himself, Bdelocleon makes his defense for him. Regardless of the dog's theft, Bdelocleon argues that the dog is a good guard and protector and should be acquitted because of these good deeds.
When Philocleon counts up the voting ballots, the dog has been acquitted. Philocleon faints in shock.
Banquet
Bdelocleon urges his father not to worry about the loss at court
He tells his father he will take care of him, and he will get to come to all of the fancy dinners and spectacles. Bdelocleon dresses his father in fancy new clothes to go to a dinner party, but Philocleon resists.
He criticizes the cloak Bdelocleon offers him because it is a Persian cloak made by one of Athens's oldest enemies. The shoes that Bdelocleon gives his father are Spartan, and Philocleon accuses Bdelocleon of giving him the enemy's shoes.
Eventually Philocleon agrees to wear the fancy clothes, and Bdelocleon suggests they begin the party with some drinks. Philocleon is wary of drinking because alcohol can end in drama and violence. Bdelocleon is less concerned
The flute girl is one of the guests at the party. Almost immediately after entering the party, Philocleon steals away with the flute girl and attempts to hide her from his son
The other guests at the party start to recognize Philocleon from court proceedings in which he charged them
Philocleon attempts to smooth over the arguments with stories, but his stories are inappropriate and only make the matter worse
When his father gets too out of hand, Bdelocleon picks Philocleon up and carries him out of the party.
Though the party ends in disaster, the chorus has a happier interpretation of it. The chorus predicts that Philocleon has expanded his experiences by attending the party, and now there is hope for a happy future.
The Crabs
Aristophanes ends the play by mocking playwrights of tragedies. He often mocked tragedians in his plays and tried to raise the status of comedy to compete with that of the tragedies.
Philocleon challenges the Athenian tragedians who are attending the party to a dance contest. Boys enter the stage dressed as crabs and proceed to dance with Philocleon.
Quotes
Sosias (explaining his dream):
“a rapacious-looking creature with a figure like a whale and a voice like a scalded sow”
This is a caricature of Cleon who has become influential in the Assembly because he is a good speaker. This monstrous creature is controlling the Assemblymen (who are sheep following Cleon the dog).
"This is just a little fable with a moral.”
Greek comedy taught as well as entertained its audience.