7.3 Menander and the transition to New Comedy

Menander revolutionized Greek comedy, shifting from political satire to domestic situations. His realistic characters and complex plots focused on love, family conflicts, and social commentary, reflecting the changing norms of Hellenistic Athens.

Menander's influence extended far beyond his time. His work shaped Roman comedy, Renaissance theater, and even modern sitcoms. His legacy lives on in the stock characters, plot devices, and subtle humor that still define comedy today.

Menander: New Comedy's Master

Life and Works of Menander

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• Menander (342-290 BCE) was an Athenian dramatist who produced over 100 plays during his lifetime
• Largely lost until the 20th century when papyrus fragments were discovered (substantial portions of "Dyskolos" and "Samia")
• Focused on domestic and family situations featuring stock characters (stern father, lovesick youth, clever slave)
• Characterized by realistic dialogue, complex plot structures, and nuanced character development
• Incorporated themes of love, family conflicts, and social commentary reflecting changing societal norms of Hellenistic Athens
• "The Bad-Tempered Man" (Dyskolos) won first prize at the Lenaia festival in 316 BCE
  • Solidified Menander's reputation as a master of New Comedy
  • Demonstrated his skill in crafting compelling domestic narratives
• Influence extended beyond Athens
  • Adapted by Roman playwrights (Plautus, Terence)
  • Shaped development of Western comedy (Renaissance theater, modern sitcoms)

Menander's Literary Style

• Realistic dialogue mirrored everyday speech patterns of Athenian society
  • Utilized colloquialisms and idiomatic expressions
  • Avoided artificial or overly poetic language
• Complex plot structures often involved multiple storylines
  • Interwoven subplots created depth and maintained audience engagement
  • Skillful use of dramatic irony and mistaken identities
• Nuanced approach to character development
  • Characters possessed psychological depth and realistic motivations
  • Moved away from caricatures common in Old Comedy
  • Explored internal conflicts and personal growth of characters
• Subtle social commentary woven into domestic plots
  • Critiqued societal norms and values without direct political satire
  • Addressed issues such as class differences and generational conflicts

Old Comedy vs New Comedy

Structural and Stylistic Changes

• Chorus role diminished in New Comedy
  • Old Comedy featured prominent chorus integral to plot
  • New Comedy used chorus mainly for musical interludes between acts
• Language and content became more refined
  • Old Comedy employed obscene language and explicit sexual references
  • New Comedy adopted subtle approach to humor
• Political critique transformed
  • Old Comedy engaged in direct political satire
  • New Comedy offered generalized social commentary reflecting Athens under Macedonian rule
• Play structure evolved
  • Old Comedy had fluid structure
  • New Comedy typically followed five-act format
    • Influenced later dramatic forms (Shakespearean five-act structure)

Thematic and Character Evolution

• Focus shifted from political to domestic
  • Old Comedy featured fantastical plots and political themes (Aristophanes' "The Clouds", "Lysistrata")
  • New Comedy centered on everyday situations and family dynamics
• Character development became more nuanced
  • Old Comedy used caricatures and exaggerated personalities
  • New Comedy portrayed psychologically complex individuals
• Standard set of stock characters emerged in New Comedy
  • Young lovers
  • Blocking father
  • Clever slave
  • Miserly old man
• Plot devices became conventions
  • Mistaken identities
  • Lost children rediscovered
  • Secret love affairs

Menander's Influence on Comedy

Impact on Roman Theater

• Primary model for Roman playwrights
  • Plautus and Terence adapted and translated Menander's works
  • Transmitted Greek New Comedy to Roman audiences
• Influenced development of Roman comedy (fabula palliata)
  • Incorporated Greek settings and characters into Roman context
  • Adapted Menander's plots to suit Roman tastes and cultural norms

Legacy in Western Theater Traditions

• Stock characters became staples of Western comedy
  • Influenced character types in Commedia dell'arte (clever servant, young lovers)
  • Shaped character archetypes in Renaissance comedy (Shakespeare's clever fools, romantic leads)
• Domestic situations and romantic entanglements
  • Laid groundwork for romantic comedy genre
  • Influenced development of comedy of manners (Molière, Oscar Wilde)
• Realistic dialogue and everyday situations
  • Impacted portrayal of comic characters in literature and drama
  • Influenced development of naturalistic comedy in 19th and 20th centuries
• Structure and pacing of plays
  • Complex plots with carefully timed revelations influenced comedic timing
  • Shaped plot construction in later theatrical traditions

Societal and Thematic Contributions

• Integration of social commentary within domestic plots
  • Provided model for using comedy as vehicle for subtle critique
  • Influenced satirical traditions in literature and theater
• Focus on universal human experiences
  • Explored themes of love, family, and personal growth
  • Contributed to comedy's role in reflecting and examining societal values
• Psychological realism in character portrayal
  • Influenced development of more complex comic characters
  • Impacted approach to character-driven humor in modern comedy