lesson 30- The parabasis in 'Frogs' Flashcards
(15 cards)
what feature did the parabasis normal accompany?
The comic agon
what is the parabasis?
a section of a comedy in which the chorus addresses the audience directly, speaking in the voice of the playwright- the parabasis literally translates to ‘stepping forward’. The parabasis was only found in comedy
what does the parabasis literally translate as and how is it relevant to its function and form in comedy?
the parabasis literally means ‘stepping aside’, and refers to how the chorus came forward to speak to the audience
how is the start of the parabasis clearly signalled in Frogs?
The chorus step forward and call upon the muse to see the great crowd of people who clutter in the theatron
what form did the parabasis take and what sorts of things might they talk about?
The topic of the parabasis need not relate to the topic of the play it is in, and it usually deals with current affairs, though may refer to the playwright’s own life and career. It is often lengthy, and usually involves both choral and spoken sections. A comedy may contain more than one parabasis
what is the structure of the parabasis in frogs?
The parabasis consists of two sung sections, which alternate with speeches
what is the main theme of the parabasis in Frogs?
that Athens needs to return to old ways and reject politicians who are leading the city astray and also equality for all the citizens.
how does the parabasis theme in frogs generally generate laughter?
Generates laughter due to the fact it is relatable and gives off a sense of nostalgia- the idea of ‘old ways good, new ways bad’, is a common theme in comedy,and is today still a reliable way to generate laughter and a warm feeling of nostalgia
why might the frogs parabasis been particularly poignant to the Athenian audience at the time?
The play was performed shortly before Athens’ final defeat in the peloponnesian war
what specific political advice does the parabasis in Frogs give?
There is political advice, namely for those citizens that had lost their rights because they were involved in an attempt to otherthrow the democracy in 411 BC- Aristophanes tells them they should have their status restored
what else does Aristophanes mention in the parabasis of Frogs?
In the Frogs Parabasis, Aristophanes makes a plea to the people of Athens, asking them to reinstate the leadership of men of worth. He also suggests that the people of Athens have lifted up people of counterfeit value in place of those or real talent and ability.
what is another reason that the parabasis is so important in relation to Frogs?
The parabasis introduces an element of seriousness to the play that is consistent with the later high pronouncements of Aeschylus on the responsibilities of the poet regarding the city.
what is the main theme in the parabasis?
The theme of the parabasis is the decline of politics as a result of the rise of new politicians- the new technical politicians have driven out the old politics of honour. Aristophanes wants to revive the old politics of the great houses with their tradition of service to the city, to put an end to civil faction and restore to the city the unity of the persian wars.
Who are the chorus members in ‘Frogs’?
Initiates of the Eleusinian mysteries- a mystery cult which was based in Eleusis, not from from Athens, but the procession begun in Athens
what does Aristophanes say in the Parabasis in relation to equality?
When the chorus first address the audience, they say that their main purpose is to instruct the city for its own good and that the main message behind their words is the equality of all the citizens.
The chorus say it is unfair that the citizens of the plataea, who were overthrown by the Spartans are given citizenship and treated more reasonably than the naval commanders who fought for Athens, who are now under scrutiny for their actions whilst the slaves who fought in the Battle of Arginusae are free. (a month or so after the battle of Arginusae, the eight generals who had led the Athenians to victory were removed from their commands and ordered to return to Athens. The assembly dealt with these generals and they were subsequently imprisoned and voted to be convicted and executed)
