Menander (c. 342–292 BCE): The Supreme Poet of New Comedy
Quick Summary: Menander was the dominant figure of Greek New Comedy. He shifted theatre from political satire to domestic life, creating the "comedy of manners." His play Dyskolos (The Grouch) is the only complete surviving work of New Comedy.
Life and Career
Menander was born in Athens in 342 BCE into a wealthy family. He studied philosophy under Theophrastus, which influenced the ethical depth of his plays. Though he wrote over 100 plays, he won only 8 prizes at dramatic festivals during his lifetime. He lived mostly in Athens, declining invitations to royal courts, and died in 292 BCE.
New Comedy vs. Old Comedy
Unlike Aristophanes, whose plays were filled with fierce political satire and fantastical plots, Menander introduced a new style:
- Domestic Focus: He shifted the focus to private family life, love affairs, and social misunderstandings.
- Comedy of Manners: He created a subtle style that satirized the behaviors and affections of everyday social classes.
- Style: His language was refined, witty, and humane Attic Greek, avoiding the obscenity of Old Comedy.
Dyskolos (The Grouch)
This play is a masterpiece of character study. The central figure, Knemon, is a misanthrope (a hater of mankind) who rejects all social interaction. The plot revolves around the efforts of a wealthy young man to marry Knemon's daughter, despite the father's hostility. The play reveals Menander's ability to create psychological depth within comic types.
Other Major Works
1. Perikeiromenē (The Girl with Shorn Hair)
This play features a boastful soldier who, in a fit of jealousy, cuts off his mistress's hair. Unlike the typical "braggart soldier" trope, Menander portrays him sympathetically, showing remorse and seeking reconciliation.
2. Second Adelphoe (The Brothers)
This play explores the conflict of educational principles—strict versus lenient parenting—through the story of two brothers raised differently.
Legacy and Influence
Although much of Menander's work was lost for centuries, his influence on Western drama was immense.
- Roman Comedy: The Roman playwrights Plautus and Terence borrowed heavily from Menander, adapting his plots and characters for Roman audiences.
- Stock Characters: Menander established many comic archetypes that persist today, including the clever slave, the stern father, the lovesick youth, and the boastful soldier.
- Renaissance Drama: Through the Romans, Menander's "New Comedy" structure became the foundation for Renaissance comedy (including Shakespeare and Molière) and the modern sitcom.