New Comedy

Definition

New Comedy is a style of ancient Greek comedy that emerged in the late 4th century BCE, characterized by its focus on everyday life, ordinary characters, and romantic entanglements rather than political satire. It marks a shift from the more politically charged works of earlier playwrights, moving towards a more personal and relatable form of storytelling that resonates with common human experiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. New Comedy primarily emerged during the decline of the Athenian empire, reflecting a societal shift away from politics and war towards personal and domestic issues.
2. Menander's plays are some of the best-preserved examples of New Comedy, influencing later European comedic traditions, including the works of Shakespeare and Molière.
3. Unlike Old Comedy, which used exaggerated humor and fantasy elements, New Comedy employed more realistic situations and character-driven plots.
4. The themes in New Comedy often revolve around love, mistaken identities, and social class conflicts, showcasing the complexities of relationships in everyday life.
5. New Comedy laid the foundation for later theatrical forms, including Roman comedy and Renaissance theatre, by establishing conventions that would be adapted by future playwrights.

Review Questions

• Compare and contrast New Comedy with Old Comedy in terms of themes and character development.
  • New Comedy differs significantly from Old Comedy in that it shifts the focus from political satire and social critique to everyday life and personal relationships. While Old Comedy features exaggerated characters and outlandish plots that often address current events, New Comedy presents more relatable situations involving ordinary people. The character development in New Comedy tends to be more nuanced, as playwrights like Menander created complex characters facing romantic dilemmas and familial challenges.
• Evaluate Menander's contributions to New Comedy and how his works influenced later theatrical traditions.
  • Menander is considered a key figure in New Comedy due to his skillful portrayal of human emotions and relationships. His plays introduced intricate plots involving love and social dynamics while utilizing stock characters to create comedic scenarios. Menander's emphasis on realism and relatable themes set a precedent for future playwrights during the Renaissance and beyond, directly influencing the development of European comedy by emphasizing character-driven narratives over political satire.
• Analyze how New Comedy reflects the social changes occurring in ancient Greece during its emergence.
  • New Comedy serves as a mirror to the evolving social landscape of ancient Greece, particularly during a time when civic engagement waned following the decline of Athenian power. The shift from politically charged narratives to stories focused on personal struggles highlights the population's desire for escapism amidst societal uncertainty. By centering on themes like love, family dynamics, and social status, New Comedy provides insight into how individuals sought connection and meaning in their daily lives during this transformative period.

Related terms

Old Comedy: A style of ancient Greek comedy that preceded New Comedy, known for its satirical and often political themes, as exemplified by playwrights like Aristophanes.

Menander: A prominent playwright of New Comedy whose works often featured complex characters and situations, highlighting themes of love, social class, and domestic life.

Stock Characters: Typical character types commonly found in New Comedy, such as the cunning servant, the naive young lover, and the strict father, which provided humor and familiarity to audiences.