A father and sons folly: The Wasps, Aristophanes

Why you might read The Wasps?

The Wasps is another one of Aristophanes' political comedies. You do not have to be in the know on Athenian politics to find some of this funny though. Aristophanes does a good job of giving you enough context for the jokes. It stands as another example of the older idea of comedy in my overall reading project. It can do the same in yours!

Synopsis of The Wasps

The Wasps starts with an old man and his son at war with each other. The old man wants to go and be a judge every day. The son wants the old man to stay home and take it easy. So he has imprisoned his father in the house. The old man is very cunning in his attempts to escape the house to go to court.

The wasps then arrive in the form of other aged men trying to take the father to the court. They are called wasps because they carry spears. This shows them to be men who have gone to war for Athens. There is no distinction made between being a soldier or a sailor. They try and help the old man escape but they are found out. 

Then The son decides to persuade his father of the folly of going to judge. He calls him the slave of those who pays him so little. He details the incomes of the city and then contrasts them with what his father is being paid. His father concedes and the Wasps agree and retreat. The father is then dressed in fine clothes and slippers and offered wine. At first, he refuses to muddle his mind for fear of what he might do. He is told by his son that no one cares what the rich do while drunk.

Finally, the old man starts getting into lots of trouble while drunk. He offends many and his son is left to smooth the waters behind him.

Reflections on The Wasps

I wonder if the son regrets telling his father that no one will rebuke the wealthy when they are drunk. It seems to me that the father is troublesome no matter what he is doing. Maybe the son should have let him be rather than have him ruin his reputation.

Near the beginning we are told of a prophecy told to the old man about him needing to judge or criminals will get off. At first, he seems to take this to heart. But when he argues with his son this seems quickly forgotten. This is especially true once the son has convinced him to let the son take care of him. 

The so-called wasps are one of the more interesting choruses we have seen. They identify themselves as wasps. The ones with spears and who have fought for Athens. They both help the old man state his case. As well as being convinced alongside him by the son.

What others have to say about The Wasps

"It is considered by some to be one of the world’s great comedies, and perhaps exemplifies the conventions of Old Comedy better than any other play. It pokes satirical fun at the Athenian demagogue Cleon and his power-base, the law courts," From Classical Literature

"First produced at the Lenaea festival of 422 BC, The Wasps is, probably, the sixth comedy written by Aristophanes and the fourth in chronological order of the eleven surviving ones. Just like a few other of his plays, it explores a conflict at the level of a single household to comment on the broader Athenian social or political situation." From Greek Mythology

Comparisons with other texts

The Wasps is a comedy on the political situation. Unlike Peace or Lysistrata it does not spill over into commentary on the Peloponnesian war. Instead, it deals with the internal governance of the city of Athens. This is in the form of satire about the internal court systems and those that are part of it. Like Peace or Lysistrata some of the jabs at people in power may be lost on the modern reader. Unless the reader has actually studied the war, which I haven't.

Unlike The Frogs, the animal in the title is a main part of the story. It is also explicitly explained in the text. In the Frogs, the frogs themselves are real frogs though they speak. By contrast, the wasps are men with some wasp-like characteristics.

Conclusion

 The Wasps is a political satire. It pokes fun at the judicial system of Athens as well as its leaders. While set during the Peloponnesian war it doesn't mention it. It is a tale of a doting son and a troublesome father. The Wasps do feature in this play in the form of a chorus of old men who work with the father. Some of the jokes and illusions may be lost on the modern reader. That, However, does not detract from its enjoyability. 

Have you read The Wasps? If so what did you think of it? 

 

Want to read The Wasps 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 The Wasps.