Aristophanes' Political Comedy

Not available to Mods IIA candidates. This paper requires study of two comedies: the Acharnians and the Lysistrata (knowledge of Frogs, set in Texts and Contexts, is also expected). Both are often interpreted as ‘anti-war’ plays, and this is one of the ‘political’ aspects you need to examine, but the title of the paper also implies awareness of other aspects of the dramas: the relation of politician and general, free and slave, male and female in Aristophanic Athens; the freedom allowed to the comedians; the values and antagonisms of a polis at war.

Mods IB, IC and IIB: the amount of prescribed text in Greek is reduced. Details of the reduction are in the Examination Regulations. You cover the remainder of the prescription in English.

You are asked to attempt two translations, scan a short passage, comment on two passages, and answer two essay questions.