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10/29/15
Special Topics in Ancient Comedy
Professor McAlhany
father will never approve of because she does not posses a great deal of money, Whats more, I
promised I would marry her. My father wont, Im sure, agree to this; Hell want me to accept a
wealthier bride (page 45). He is so sure and yet, later on page 52, his father suggest that he
should marry Plangon, And I am going to suggest a match Which would please me and satisfy
you too. What would you say to taking as your bride Our neighbours daughter, Plangon (page
52). Menander does not seem less engaged but confusing. He will write one thing and then
change it completely with no hint as to why? Of course characters develop and morph over time,
but with dialogue and action leading up to it. In other books we have read, the authors style
differs in many ways compared to Menander.
The comedies of Aristophanes are a labyrinth of questions and make believe but is that
not what the real world is? For example, do you ever really know a person or just what they
allow you to see? The real world itself is not just mundane and crazy like Menander but full of
unanswered questions and adventures waiting to happen like in Aristophanes. The paths not yet
taken but sought after, the road less traveled and unknown but can lead you anywhere, and all
that jazz. Arent we all just searching for our own real world? In The Birds, people were
changed into birds and fought to achieve their own world, their own Utopia. Yes, in the world we
live in today, I have yet to see a man bird but for the sake of argument who says there arent any?
From the birds perspective that was their reality, it was their world. In The Clouds, no one
thought it was strange to have clouds talking back to them, or regard them with respect normally
saved for the gods because it was engaged and a norm for their world. No matter how
compassionate or understanding you are from your perception, isnt the world yours? You live,
breathe, cry and dream so in a way, isnt the real world based off of your ideas, thoughts, and
beliefs and if not whose rules do you follow? I guess the point I am trying to make is, the world
means and is interpreted differently by every living creature on this earth. In my opinion both are
more or less engaged with the world. Aristophanes represents more so the dreams and fantasy
that seems to be fading from this world but not the reality. Now a days people seem more
interested in their phones then going out into the world and losing themselves to their dreams. I
believe they both need each other to create the real world. Both are engaged and have their
places and flaws. In my opinion it is all a matter of perception and what kind of world you want
to see. If I have to chosse, I believe Menander is less engaged because I would prefer to be
surrounded by fantasy and what I can create in Aristophanes world versus Menander whose
world doesnt seem real to me.