Getting wealth for those who do good; Wealth, Aristophanes

Why you might read Wealth?

Wealth is another tale of assisting the personification of a trait, to gain great rewards. In this case, those rewards are wealth. 

In my Self Education project, it continues the expansion of the idea of the play. It also foreshadows the more modern form of the satirical play.

Story of Wealth

Wealth is a play in two acts with the second act having 5 scenes. Wealth starts with our main character Chremylus returning from the Oracle. He is following an old blind man. He does so because he was told by the oracle to not let the first person he came across depart from him. He and his servant ask who he is and find out that he is Wealth. They quickly devise a plan for him to regain his sight. This is so that he can visit the worthy instead of those who cheat and steal. Poverty as an old woman tries to dissuade them of this saying without the threat of poverty man will not work. They disregard her and she leaves.

In the second act, they action this plan. Wealth regains his sight and stays with Chremylus. Chremylus' house increase in wealth rapidly. It is not long before a wicked man comes to complain that his wealth has left him. He and Chremylus's slave argue but he is sent on his way. Eventually, Hermes arrives to complain that there are no longer sacrifices to the gods. With wealth falling on the upright they do not see the need for the gods. He begs to be taken into the house and this is granted. The play ends with them going to set up Wealth as the new god in Zeus' place.

Reflections on Wealth

In the first act, it seems that this play is set up to warm against the softness of prosperity. We see this in the dialogue with poverty. But when we get to the second act this idea is not followed through. The most we see in the form of negative consequences is the gods no longer getting their sacrifices. Considering Aristophanes' previous work I am surprised by this. In general, he is not against using his plays to convey a point.

That being said what poverty says about the struggle against poverty being what makes man strive for better is profound. It still rings true today. We see those who have plenty don't have quite the same motivations as those who need to make a living. 

The idea that man only needs the gods when he is struggling is also interesting. It is an indictment against those of the time. The idea that the gods are only for bad times is something we see in a lot of pantheistic groups. By contrast it is taught against in the likes of Judaism and Christianity.

What others have to say about Wealth

"In essence, it is a twist on an observation probably as old as civilization itself – namely that “wealth is blind.” The meaning of the proverb is pretty straightforward: the evil are usually wealthy because the god of wealth, Plutus, is unable to distinguish good men from bad." From Greek Mythology

"Plutus’ eyesight is restored at the temple of Asclepius, famous for cures and miracles of this nature, and he formally becomes a member of Chremylus’ household." From Classical Literature

Comparisons to other texts

This is the second play of Aristophanes where we have seen the stopping of sacrifice to the gods. The other being the Birds. Though in this case, it is by making the people wealthy. Whereas in the birds it is a direct block of the path between the altars and the gods. We have also seen the rescue of a personified quality. This time we see Wealth regaining his sight. In Peace, we see the rescue of peace from a cave. Though with Wealth we see the gods disadvantaged by this, in peace they also want to end the fighting.

Conclusion

 Wealth, over its two acts, tells the story of recovering wealth's sight to help him come to the upright. It dabbles into the consequences of the upright getting wealthy. But it does not fully explore them. On the other hand, the positive side is seen. Those who are upright coming up in the world and those who are gaining by foul means losing their wealth. 

Have you read Wealth? If so what did you think of it? 
 
Want to read Wealth but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of Wealth.