Athenian Drama
The Dramatic Perspective of Athens' End
The plays of Athens written during the twilight of its empire at the end of the fifth century show a palpable anxiety regarding the future of the Athenian people in both drama and comedy. With the knowledge that these plays were always created for a civic purpose, it is understandable that the project of these plays was to council their audience and prepare it for uncertain times ahead.
Earlier in the century Aeschylus sang of old heroes embodying a traditional Greek morality. He sang to the glory of a culture which had asserted its dominance over virtually the entire eastern Mediterranean. By the time Athens had become seriously engaged in the Peloponnesian war authors no longer aimed primarily at praising Athens, but focused on fixing blame and moving past current events toward a time of healing.
Among the most interesting playwrights of this time is Aristophanes, for within the body of his work one can see a shift from his......
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