The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2

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Аристофан. The Eleven Comedies, Volume 2

THE WASPS

INTRODUCTION

THE WASPS

THE BIRDS

INTRODUCTION

THE BIRDS

THE FROGS

INTRODUCTION

THE FROGS

THE THESMOPHORIAZUSAE

INTRODUCTION

THE THESMOPHORIAZUSAE

THE ECCLESIAZUSAE

INTRODUCTION

THE ECCLESIAZUSAE

PLUTUS739

INTRODUCTION

PLUTUS

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"This Comedy, which was produced by its Author the year after the performance of 'The Clouds,' may be taken as in some sort a companion picture to that piece. Here the satire is directed against the passion of the Athenians for the excitement of the law-courts, as in the former its object was the new philosophy. And as the younger generation—the modern school of thought—were there the subjects of the caricature, so here the older citizens, who took their seats in court as jurymen day by day, to the neglect of their private affairs and the encouragement of a litigious disposition, appear in their turn in the mirror which the satirist holds up."

There are only two characters of any importance to the action—Philocleon ('friend of Cleon') and his son Bdelycleon ('enemy of Cleon'). The plot is soon told. Philocleon is a bigoted devotee of the malady of litigiousness so typical of his countrymen and an enthusiastic attendant at the Courts in his capacity of 'dicast' or juryman. Bdelycleon endeavours to persuade his father by every means in his power to change this unsatisfactory manner of life for something nobler and more profitable; but all in vain. As a last resource he keeps his father a prisoner indoors, so that he cannot attend the tribunals.

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PHILOCLEON. Oh! hero, my master! how repulsive you are to look at! 'Tis an exact portrait of Cleonymus!

SOSIAS. That is why, hero though he be, he has no weapon.

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