Old Comedy

In classic comedy, there is old, middle, and new. As we have already discovered, old comedy is replete with scatalogical and sexual humor, or anything lewd and crude. Unlike tragedy, old comedy is not based on myth, but rather on contemporary themes or whatever the comic playwright chooses. In Lysistrata, Aristophanes has a purpose when satirizes the political and social institutions of his day. He is criticizing the Athenians and their ways, in which he apparently can see room for improvement. And, he also sometimes mimics the high style and language of tragedies to produce comic effect.

Another facet of old comedy is the role of the chorus. The chorus was an important and integral part of the production, which was very musical with a lot of singing and dancing. Unfortunately when we simply read these plays, we get only a glimpse of what it should be. It's hard to even imagine what Lysistrata would have been like back in the day as we are so far removed fourth century Greek culture. At least Sarah Ruden translated the play so that we can get the jokes and can be entertained (or repulsed) by it.

But, aspects and the spirit of old comedy remain in our culture today in political cartoons, stand-up comedy, and satirical skits on late night tv shows.