A Comic Turn HUM 2051: Civilization I Fall 2013 Dr. Perdigao September 25-30, 2013

A Comic Tradition Aristophanes ( BCE) Lysistrata 411 BCE Komoidia: song of a band of revelers Komos: revel, banquet Komos—revelers—like animals, perform wild antics, connected to fertility rites

From Old to New Comedy Old comedy: mix of wild or antic and thoughtful; imaginary defeat of real limits Reconciliation: (banquet, revel, marriage) reconstitution of society on freer, more natural grounds –“In Aristophanic comedy, the comic hero typically upsets the status quo to produce a series of extraordinary results and a wish-fulfilling ending” (721). Aristophanic—or old comedy—known through work of Aristophanes— Clouds, Frogs New comedy: 4 th century BCE; comedy of manners—love blocked, obstructions overcome

Central Conflicts Lysistrata : performance on two levels: War between Athens and Sparta as the supposed plot and then the chorus speaks in name of author on contemporary issues Agon between Lysistrata and the state; issue of subversion: state’s authority to conduct war vs. quarrel in smaller terms “Reversing the words of Hector to Andromache, which had become proverbial, Lysistrata claims that ‘war shall be the business of womenfolk’” (721). Female sexuality—subverts male warlike concerns

Central Conflicts Tragedy—hero challenges limits in knowledge but the limits can’t be overcome Comedy—through imagination, limits can be overcome as it represents the imaginary surpassing of limits But limits are given in each form

Grrrl Power Lysistrata: “according to the men we’re capable of all sorts of mischief” (723) Kalonike: “But what can mere women do that’s intelligent or noble?” (724). Lysistrata: “Oh what a low and horny race we are! No wonder men write tragedies about us” (726). Men: “This behavior of theirs amounts to extreme hubris” (739).

Role-playing (726): Battle call ( ): Losing control of the women ( ): Episode with Myrrhine and Kinesias ( ): Reconciliation introduced

Oxymorons Chorus-Leader: “Hail, manliest of all women! Now is your time: be forceful and flexible, high-class and vulgar, haughty and sweet, a woman for all seasons; because the head men of Greece, caught by your charms, have gathered together with all their mutual complaints and are turning them over to you for settlement” (751). Lysistrata: “Where’s Reconciliation?” (751) Lysistrata: “I am a woman, but still I’ve got a mind: I’m pretty intelligent in my own right, and because I’ve listened many a time to the conversations of my father and the other men I’m pretty well educated too” (751).

Comedy as Deus Ex Machina? First Athenian Ambassador: “Well! Now that everything else has been wrapped up so nicely, it’s time for you Spartans to reclaim these wives of yours; and you Athenians, these here. Let’s have husband stand by wife and wife by husband; then to celebrate our great good fortune let’s have a dance for the gods. And let’s be sure never again to make the same mistakes!” (755) Spartan Ambassador: “And sing for the goddess who’s won a total victory, Athena of the Brazen House!” (756).