Frogs

Question 1

Frogs - political humour

Answer 1

Parabasis:
- ‘keener to win than cleophon’= demagogue, opponent of peace with Sparta

• ‘men close in kin to you, should be forgiven’ = generals and pol ops
• coin analogy = attack on politicians ‘we use base bronze things’ ‘copper-topped’

‘most likely to give useful advice to the city’ = Athens war w sparta- lost within the year)

Question 2

Types of humour

Answer 2

Slapstick

Role reversals

Visual

Satire

Portrayal of the underworld

Question 3

The frogs - Aeschylus

Answer 3

‘Swollen’ ‘obese’

‘Deadly the rage the thunderer’ — epithet

‘Not a hint of sex from you’

‘Taught people to yearn for a foe to defeat, glorifying this great achievement’

Question 4

The frogs - Euripides

Answer 4

‘I taught these people here to speak freely’

‘Slaves… speak just as much as their master’

‘Issues inviting debate’

‘Domestic scenarios’

‘My drama was democratic’

Question 5

Context

Answer 5

Peloponnesian war ended 18 months later

Months before victory at arginusae (slaves becoming citizens if they fought)

Popular play — immediately revived at the city of Dionysia in March (no other play that successful)

Tradition>new ways

Question 6

The frogs - Scholars

Answer 6

Theatre and assembly are similar = Agons, competitive, large audience v small number of people — Hall

‘Past period of security and prosperity contrasted with present discomfort and insecurity’ - Dover

‘primary function… not literary criticism but political action’ - Bettendorf

Wearing robe and buskins ‘they look rather effeminate’ — Macdowell