-" -
Ε - ΕΣΕΙΕΕΕ . Ε ΑΕξΤC Γ. Ξ:
ΕΟ ΟΙΣΕΙ Ο Η

Ε
GΕΝΕRΛL LIBRΛRΥ
Ο "
ί UΝΙVΕRSΙΤΥ ΟΓ ΜΙCΗΙGΑΝ
Ψω.
3:3:33:
3):):
3:33)
ΕΕ):):):
3:3:
-
Η :):):
3):):)
3:33):
2α?

ΑΡΙSΤΟΡΗΑΝΕS ΑS ΑΙ,ΙΤΈΡΑΡΥΟΒΙΤΙΟ ΟΙπ ΕURΙΡΙΙΟΕS.

Ρrederic Samuel goodrich, Β. Α.
ΑlbiΟΥι, Μich.
ΜDCCΟΧΟVΤΤΤ.
& φ"
ά"Φζ"
ά: 4 &Τ
Βibliography.
W. G. Rutherford, Scholia Αristophaniσa. London, 189β.
G. Τ)indorf, Soholia Graeca in Αrist ophanis CΟmoedias.
Οχonii , 1838.
Ιπ. Α. Ρaley, Εuripides. London, 1857.
G. Βernhardy, Grundri8s der Griechischen Literatur.
Ηalle , 1861.
G. Girot e , Ηist ΟΤ"y Οf Greece, London, 1854.
Τ". Η. Μ. Βlaydes, Αrist Οphanis Comoediae. Ηalis, 1880.
Μaurice Croiset , Ηistoire de la Litterature Grecque.
Ρaris, 1891.
Α. Νauck, Εuripidis Tragoediarum Fragmenta.
Leipzig, 1892.
Α. 7. Verrall, Εuripides the Rationalist . Cambridge, 1895.
Α. Ε. Ηaigh, Τhe Αttiσ Τheatre. Οxford, 1889.
S. Η. Βut σher, ΑΤristotles Τheory of Ρoet ry and Fine Αrt .
Ι, ΟΠdΟη, 1895.
&Τ. Ρ. Μahaffy, Social Irife in Greece. Iondon, 1894.
«Τ. Ρ. Μahaffy, Greek Classical Literature. Iondon, 1895.
Α. Ε. Ηaigh, Τhe Τragio Drama of the Greeks. Οxford, 189β.
Α. S. Way, Τhe Τragedies of Εuripides in Εnglish Verse.
London, 1894,
Τheodor Bergk, Griechische Literaturgeschicht e.
Βerlin, 1884.
Ηermann Müller- Strübing, Αrist Οphanes und die hist Ο-
rische Κrit ik. Leipzig, 1873.
Α. Couat , Αristophane et l' ancienne αomédie Αtt ique.
Ρaris. 1892.
Ρ. Decharme, Εuripide et l' esprit de son t heat re.
Ρaris, και 73
Jules Ζast ra, IJeber den ΖWeck von Αristophanes Τhesmo-
phΟΥiaΖusen. ΒreSlau, l841.
σ'. G. St allbaum, De persona Εuripidis in Ranis Αris-
tophanίε σonmentatio. Lips - 1843.
Η. Τauber, De usu parodiae apud Αristophanem.
Βerlin, 1849.
F. Blanchet , De Αristophane Εuripidis σensore.
Αrgentor, 1855.
W. Ribbeck, De usu parodiae apud comicos Αtheniensium.
ΒΘΤΟΙ. Π861.
R. Α. RudlΟff, De Αrist ophane Εuripidis irrisore.
Βerlin, 1865.
δΤ. Van Leeuwen, De Αristophane Εuripidis Censore.
ΑΙnst elaedami, 1876.
C. Lessing, De Αristophane Turipidis inrisore quaes-
tiones select ae. Ηalis, 1877.
Ο . Schwabe, Αristophanes und Αristoteles als Κritiker
des Εuripides. Ο refeld, 1878.
Ε. Schulze, SkiΖΖen Ηellenischer Dicht kunst .
Gotha, 1881.
Α. Τ. Μurray, Oη Ρarody and Ρaratragoedia in Αristo-
phane S. Berlin, 1891.
Αristophanes as a Literary Crit ic of Εuripides. *
Ρew, if any, literary questions have given rise
to 3o much misunderstanding, σort inued over so long a period,
as that of Αristophanes" σTrit iσisms of Εuripides. It is large-
1y due to these crit iσisms t hat Εuripides has been so sadly
misunderst ood, so bit t erly abused, and so little read. Τhi8
severity of ariticism and harshness of judgment rose to the
Ιnighest point at the beginning of the present σentury, but
there is now a reactionary tendency towards great er fairness
in dealing with the subject .
Το underst and fully the quest ions at issue one must be
familiar witi h t he σου?se of event s in Ηellas at this period.
Εuripides" literary activity began in 455 Β. C . Τη 481 t: he
Ρeloponnesian War broke out, which continued to drag on its
Weary lengt n until after Εuripides' deat h. Sometimes in hope,
sometimes in despair, the people σsrried on the struggle.
Τhe "Frogs" was produced between the time of the victory at
Αrginusae, and the defeat at Αegospot ami.
*Τhe theme was suggested by Ρrofessor Μ. L. D' Ooge, of
t he University of Michigan, whom the Writer takes this oppor-

tunity of thanking for direction and assistance in its de-
Velopment .
Τhe times were out of joint , and Αristophanes believed
that he had been born to set them right . ΗΘ allied himself
with the large and influential σonservative party. ΕγΘη iΙΠ
his first play, the "Βanqueters, " he inveighed against the
ηew educat iΟn. Τt represented a fat her who had two sons,
one of whom had been t rained in the good old way, the other
in t he new fashion. Ηe sought to laugh the people out of
t heir follies, though at times there is a seriousness of re-
puke, a keenness of sat ire, a loft iness of purpose in his
writings, which show that he had at heart an intense desire
to assist in saving the nation. Ηis purpose was unquest ion-
ably pat riot io and commendable. ΗΟw did he execut e it ?
Ηe perceived certain dangerous tendencies in the nation,
manifest ed in the drama, in polit iσs, education, philosophy,
and Life. Τhese t endencies, he knew, must be checked, iif
t he nat iOn WΘire t: Ο ΌΘ 8aVed. Τhe vehicle Οf 8alvat: 1Οη
appeared to him to be σomedy. Τhe evil t endencies should
pe mocked, parodied, satirized, laughed out of court . ΥΟυ.
σannot satirize a t endency unless you personify it . ΤhΘΥΘ-
fore the errors of philosophy must be personified in a Soo-
rat es; the political spirit in a Cleon; the War spirit in
a Larnachus , t he new School of mat hemat ios in a Μet Οn; t ne
σorruption of tragedy in an Agathon; t he radiσal, sσept iσal
spirit in a Εuripides. It was inevit able that Socrat es and
Εuripides should be Ghosen. "ΚΘin andΘΥΘΤο 818 SΟΚ?at Θ8
gewohnt war im gewόhnlichen Leben, wie Εuripides auf dem
Τheater, die neuen Grundsät ze vor dem ungelehrten Ρublikum
ausΖuSpirΘchθη. "". Μoreover, they were friends. SΟΟΥat es
used to go to the theatre rarely, except when a play of
Εuripides was to be produced. 9 Α blΟW at SΟ Girat ΘS is ,
t herefore, a blow at Εuripides.
Ηaving once secured his types, Αristophanes used them
over and over again. Ηe at tached to each all the repre-
inensible anaracterist iσs of t he class he typified. WhΘΥ
Ιhe at t aσked philosophy, he represent ed Soorat es as dissem-
inating many doct rines which t he real Socrates would never
Ιnave acknowledged. Βut Κeen as t he sat ire is against Soo-
irat θ8, and others: it is not to be σompared to t he Venom
and Virulence vrit h which Εuripides is at t acked. Τhe at t aoks
pegan early, and σontinued after Εuripides" death. ΡίidioU11θ
of Εuripides was the raison d' 6tre of some of Αristophanes"
*Βernhardy, Ρt . ΙΙ , p. 5β8.
Μ. Λ' Υ Λ Σ -
Ο έχαιρε γλο τού ακό ( διά τε την σοφίαν Ο U ζΟ U
καδτήν" εκτυο, μέτρο ως όρ ετήr
έe έeanυ, ναυλα λ%«έστία, πιο
f Ιn the "Glouds. "
+ Ran. 86, 15l, 1500-1514; Τhes. lβ8-170, 441; Ρlut .
179: Αves 81-35, 281, 1293-1898; Ασh. 11, 140, 336, 887,
115l; Ρax β88, 775-79β, 804, 1008; Vesp. 462, 50β., 1142;
Νub. 348-355, 1261, et σ .
plays, but Εuripides held steadily to the way he had chosen,
willing to await the verdict of posterity. Αrist ophanes
regarded Εuripides as the representative of a dangerous school
and a fat al tendency, and t ried unceasingly to overthrow his
influence.
Ιn any attempt to arrive at the truth, we must σonsider
the various Ways in which Αristophanes attacked Εuripides.
We shall find that some σTiticisms were entirely just . ΤΙΩΘ
αhief thing to be desired is that Εuripides be judged upon
mis own merit s, rather than through any discoloring media.
Αristophanes " literary or it iσisms are oft en incont ro-
vertible. Ηe was one of the keenest literary στ"it ios t he
wΟΥld ha8 Θver 8een. Νothing esσaped him. Α fine example
i8 found in t1ηe famΟι 18 scene in t he "ΑGharnians" + where
Εuripides is introduced in propria persona. " Diσaeopolis, -
"Ηοηest Ρolicy". - about to make a plea for his life, thinks
it will be more effect ive if he is olot hed "in a pathetical
and heart rending dress, " which he will get from Εuripides.
Τhe scene which follows 8at i rizes t he fondnees of Εuripides
for int roducing heroes who were lame, or wore beggarly gar-
rment s , to exoit e sympat hy, as in the Οeneus, Ρhoenix, Ρhiloο-
*393-489.
ο Α8 in "Τhe SΤηΟΙΩhΟ riaz118ae"
Τ383-4 ,
t et es, Βellerophon, Telephus, Τhyest es, and Ιno. It also
alludes to his fanciful ideas, (398 ), his seolusiveness
(405), 4 his mechanical devices (408-9), his fluency (429),
Inis separation of the chorus from the action (443-4), his
approval of συμηning and subtlety (445), and it abuses his
mother (458, 478). ο Ιt is astonishing that such a variety of
σriticism σan be crowded into one short passage.
Ιt is true that in some tºragedies of Furipides the
σhorus has but little relation to the dialogue. ΑΤist ot le
Joins Αristophanes in t his oriticism. Βut it was inevitable ,
in the advanoe of dramatio art , t hat as the situations became
more σΟΙmplex t he chorus should be pushed more and more int ο
the background, until it disappeared altogether, with the
deus ex machina, and other accessories hard to manage. Εurip-
ides " use Οf t he deus ex machina has been explained as a means
of using the legendary lore with which he was so familiar.
It was not int roduced to help out the τιot!
Αfter Dioaeopolis has begged the paraphernalia Which he
wishes, Εuripides says : "Fellow, you' ll plunder me a whole
t ragedy; " and again:
"Τhere they go!
Μy tragedies and all! ruined and robbed! "
4Ηip. 91-β; Sup. 509.
ο Εlec. 337-372; Frag. 234.
ΤΤhe close of the Iph. Τ. is only an apparent exception
t. Ο ί; Υmis gt at Θηent .
Τhe impression left by t his masterly sat i re is t hat Εuripides
t ragedies σonsisted largely of artificial sentiment , tricked
Ου.t wit, h old olot he s and mechanical devices. Ε18ΘWhΘΥΘ hΘ
Gall8 Εuripides a πτωχοποιού * and a χωλοποιό, , 9 and aG-
συses him of olothing royalty in rags in order to arouse
Τ
sympathy among the spect at ors. "What harm has σome from my
doing this ?" asks Εuripides. Τhe Αrist Οphanic Αeschylus
replies: "Τhe result is that no one who is wealthy is willing
t o become at rierarch, but he Wraps up in rags, and weeps,
and claims that he is poor. " Τhere may have been such a con-
dition of affairs, but it σου.ld not be σharged to Εuripides
t ragedies.
Ιt may not be a sufficient defence of Εuripides to urg
that Sophocles, whom Αristophanes admired, portrayed charactere"
as wret σhed as any Οf Εuripides" , ΟΥ that modern literature
Ιhas not been without it 8 Ι.it't le Νells, and ot her appeals to
sympat hy. Following Αristophanes, many have deσTried "the
effeminat e pathos which Furipides brought so nakedly into the
ξ
iforeground. " Τhe "eiffeminate pat hos" is σertainly not in
the female characters, and SΟΪne of the men of t hat day de-
served nothing better. Ηe made mind, virtue, and nobility,
+Ran. 842.
9 Ran. 84β. Ο f. ΤheS. 24 ; Ρax l47.
ΤRan. 1063-β; Νub. 921; Τhes. 24; Ρax 14β.
ΕΡhiloot et es, Odysseus.
ξ Grot e, Ηist. Gr. Ι., 522.
ΙLΟ
shine in σomparison with rags and squalor. Genuine pat hΟS
is not reprehensibie. *
Ιn t he σonsiderat ion of Αristophanes" literary o?it ioiSIns
it will be necessary to bring together here the "Τhesmopho-
riazusae, " and the "Frogs. " Τhe "Frogs" is admitted to σon-
tain one of t he finest examples of literary στ"it iσ.ism ever
writ ή θη. It is surpassed, however, on the same subject , by
"Αristophanes" Αpology, " by Robert Browning. Ιn t: he secΟΥld.
part of the "Frogs" there is a cont est between Αeschylus and
Εuripides for the tragic throne. Ιt oσours in Ηades, - for
pot n the poet s are now dead, - and the Judge of the contest is
Dionysus, who has gone to the lower world in search of a good
t ragic poet. Ηe intended to bring back Εuripides, "for
since he is a scamp, he would try to scamper away back with
me, but Sophocles was σont ent Θd here, and will be content ed
t, hΘΥΘ . " ο Τhe σont est is a difficult one to decide, because,
as Αeaσυμs says : "When Εuripides σsme down, he gave an ex-
Ιhibition to the foot-pads, and συμt-purses, and parricides,
and burglars, who are very numerous in Ηades; and when they
Ίηeard his disputationsf and twist s and twirls they went mad,
and decided t hat he was t he Gleverest . "
*Τt may easily be σarried to excess; perhaps Εuripides
diei t his,
ο8Ο-82.
fΤhere are many examples of rhetorical argument , however,
in Αristophanes.
Χanthias. "Αnd didn't he get pelt ed ? ---- Were there
ηo different people on the side of Αeschylus, as allies 2"
Αeaσμs. "Νο. Τhe good are few, as they are here. "+
(i. e. in the audience. )
Ιn the σont est , of course, Εuripides is defeat ed, and
Dionysus takes Αeschylus back With him to the upper World.
Αlthough Αeschylus receives some sharp σTrit iσism, the chief
force of the attack is directed against Εuripides.
Ιn σonsidering the σmrit iσisms of Αristophanes it is well
to remember the words of Couat : "Ιl import era, Θη li8ant 8es
Jugement s sur la poésie σΟnt emporaine, d' en peser avec soin
les termes, qui sont pleins de sens, et d'y faire en mβme temps
la part du r61e et σelle des inimitiés ou des Jalousies person-
ΤηelleS . " 9
Τhe cont est is introduced by the chorus, who briefly
σ]haracterize bΟt n combatants! Αeschylus begins with the
familiar t aunt : "Τhou son of the goddess of the market-
f
garden. " Τhe point of t his at t aok seems to be that fine art
Οf Εuripides must be as Low as his origin" It is, however,
more than probable t hat Εuripides σsme of a noble and wealthy
47.71-783.
ΟΡ. 315 .
Τ814-829.
Ε840. Cf. Ran. 458, 478, 947; Εq. 19; Τhes. 887, 45β,
910; Αση. 458, 478.
8 Schwabe, p. 12.
12
family. * Τhere σertainly seems to be a pauaity of material
when the same joke is so oft en repeat ed.
Αes σhylus σomplains that the σont est is unfair,
"Βecause my poems live on eart h above,
Αnd his died With him, and descended here,
Αnd are at hand as ready Witnesses. " 9
Νothing σould be further from the truth. Αrist ophanes
noped that Εuripides" tragedies would die With him, but in-
st ead t hey Leaped into immediate popularity, and held their
place for many σenturies. Ιndeed, as Techarmef says: n ΤΤ
Αesohylus had risen from Ηades a hundred years after the re-
presentation of the Frogs, " he would have found that his
own poetry was, indeed, not forgot ten on earth, but that it
was eclipsed by t hat of Εuripides. Sophocles himself, had
he returned, would have had great reason to be astonished.
It was no longer his tragedies, however perfect they were,
which were oft enest played, and with the most success; it
was not he who was most read, most quoted, most admired Οf
the tragio poet s. It was τηuripides. " Ηis Writings saved
some Αthenians from deat h in sactiv t, he "Εle σt ra" pre-
*Way, ΙΙ, p. ΙΧ.
ο866-87Ο. Ερθ?e.
f Ρ. 20. Quoted by Way.
ΕΒeautifully described in Βalaust ion ' s Αdventure, "
R. Browning.
served Αthens from destruction; Αristophanes imitat ed him; 4
Ρlat o praised him; " Cicero venerated him; Quint ilian re-
σommended him to the study of the orat or ; Dant e admired him;
Μilt Οn loved him, he left an ineffaceable impress upon art
and literature, he was the morning star of a new literary
ΘΥΡ8 .
Τn the beginning of this trial for heresy, broad general
σ?it iGiSrn is applied. Εuripides is made t ο σ.laim credit"
for the improvement s he has made in tragedy. Τhe SΘ innΟVa-
tions Αristophanes regards as ground for σensure, not for
σOmmendat i Οn.
Αs left by Αeschylus, Εuripides is made to say, tragedy
was pompous, stilt ed, abounding in Tumbering phrases, and
Οb8Guire allul8iΟΥ18. Ηe lightened drama by means of versicles
ζέπυλλάρες)* which took the place of the long series of
ChΟΥal Οdes. Ηe added "the juice of wordiness, filtering
it from δοοκε. "
"I kept my plot 8 distinct and clear, and to prevent σonfusion
η 8 και
Μy leading anaracters rehearsed their pedigrees for "Ε
ΕΥΘΥ?Θ ).
*Croiset , p. 589: Ses σontemporains στoyaient y sent ir
1" imitation d' Εuripide. Cirat inus, fr. 307 Κοσk; Ευριπιδαρισ-
τοφαγίζουν, Schol. Plato, Apolog. 18,0: έκωμωόεCτο επί
τό' σκαύπτες χ μεν Ευριπίδηγ, μια μείσθοι 8"αυτόν,
"Rep. VΤΤΙ, 568.Α.
Τ 9Ο"7-979 .
# Ran. 942. Ρax 532. Ασh. 398.
8943. Cf. 1409.
88 946-7. Εχamples in Ι. Τ. , 0rest es, Εlect ra. Η. F. ,
Ιon, Ηelena, Βacch. , Ρhoeniss. , Suppl. , Ηe σ.
14
Ρrom the beginning, every σharact er took part , says
ΕuripidΘ 8. 21 -2 Α'
ξπερτ" από ταυ γ π7ο ότων έπών ουδέν παράκ ανόργός
αλλ' έλεγεγ ή υγή & «οι χώ δρου ούό εκ ηττο και
Χ Λ ..) " -
Χαυ δεσπότη, χή πνο εγο , Χή γοου, "ανε ασο)
Αristophanes evident ly regards this as an inexousable
innovat iOn. Ιt was t: ΟΟ demo o rat io. Εuripides, however,
pelieved in the people. Ηe was an enemy of the demagogue
(Ηe.σ. 254-257; Sup. 389-482; Ηeracleidae 1-5), and he was a
patriot of the highest order. Ηis port rayal of Μenoiceus
finely delineat es the pat riot ready to die for his σουηt ry.
Μenoiceus says :
"I go, to give my σountry no mean gift ,
Μy life, from ruin so to save the land:
For, if each man would take his all of good,
Lavish it , lay it at his σου.nt ry' s feet ,
Τhen fewer evils should t he nat ions prove,
Αnd should through days to σome be prosperous. "*
Τhe Αristophanio Εuripides cont inues:
Σ) J - Λ'
λεπτών ΤΟ Θ. κανόνων έσθολάJ" Θ. 777. Ο γ C Θ. γων ασκου,
/ -) - Τ Λ'
νοεεν, εος,, ξυγιέγα, στρέφει γ, έραν" τεχr" "Υ,
C Υ. τ/
καχ' υπο το περσύας, περονο εδν σΧ ΙΤ Χ Υ C (λ. 2 3)
(7όζ - και Τ5).
+ΡhΟΘΥι. 1Ο 18-Π.ΟΙ.8.
9 Sup. 93.
f Αs in the Aeolus and Ηippolytus.
15
Ιnstead of astonishing the audience with huge words and
pompous characters, he says, he int roduced domest io soenes,
and everyday people. Ιt is indeed evident , that though the
themes of Εuripides ατό ήoi mythology, as the traditions of
the stage required, the characters are largely taken from
daily life. Τhis Αristophanes meroilessly σTriticized. Τί;
was one point of departure from the good old times, and
Αristophanes was one who σου.ld see not hing good in anything
t hat was new. While it was true of Εuripides, as Βergk puts
it : "Für das patriarchalis σme Κόnigthum der Vorzeit hat
Εuripides kein verstέndnigs, "* it was equally true of Αristo-
Ρhanes that his hope for the future lay in resurrecting the
dead past . ο Ηe found his highest ideals of poet ry and life
in the past . Το him, the former days were better than these.
Εuripides was far in advance of his time, for "the great
Τ Αristophanes Was t ry-
minds are not the enemies of ideas. "
ing all the while to turn time backward in it s flight . ΗΘ
σmit iσizes many things in Εuripides which seem to us trifling,
pecause to him they represented dangerous innovations.
Τhe most important part of the Contest refers to the
ef Ιn i Ga1 value Οf t heir wΟΤ"ks. Αesσhylus asks" "ΕΟΤ what
ought men to admire a poet ?"
*Literaturgeschicht e , ΤΙΤ, 578.
"Νub. 961 sqα. , et al.
fR. C. Jebb: "Αristophanes, " Εno. Βrit .
El008-ll12.
16
Εuripides. "Ρor dexterity and warning, and because we
Τnake men in t he Git ies bet t; ΘΥ". "+
Αeschylus. "Ιf then you have not done this, but from
good and noble σjitizens have made them the greatest rasσals,
what will you say you are worthy of suffering ?"
"Deat h, " interrupt s Dionysue, forgetting that they are
already in Ηades, and death has no terrors for them. ΑΘS-
σhylus olaims that he has made men heroiσ. Τhe Η SΘγΘΥ!
against Τhebes, " he says, made every spect at or long to be a
Warrior. o Ηe admit 8 t hat he was not ent irely successful in
promoting this spirit! Τhe "Ρersians" made πηen eager to
σonguer their enemies: Ρoetry has a noble lineage, it is
a mighty power. Νeveir ShΟυίld it be ηrostitutea Τοy the int ro-
duction or Phaedras and streneboas. Εven if such st, ΟΤies
appear in mythology "the poet ought to σonceal the evil, and
ηΟt produce it or represent 1t. "8 Αeschylus olaims that
Εuripides t aught the young men 1oquacity" and inSübΟΥdina-
tion, and drew them away from the palaest ra. Ηe is blne
σause of every ev11"
*Ran. 390, 68β-687; Ασh. β44-645, 65β.
91Ο 22.
f1025.
# ΙΟ26-7
1053-4.
βή "Ε: 579-85. βες CστυχCτα .
τfl073-88. Ο f. 1477; Αon. 89β.

17
Αfter these ethical charges, which will be discussed
lat er, the antagonist s turn to matters of literary technique.
Τhe first point is with reference to the prologues. πurtp-
ides acouses Αeschylus of being obsσure :
ασαφή και γλο ήγ εγ εή φρασεο ταύγ πραγμάτων (μαα
or tautoιoεν ήκω δε εαυτόν έστε το κατέρχομαι (57)*
4μώμίνα. Αeservlue shows a sophistical t endency to hair split t ing
in his σTit iσism of Εuripides" prologues. " ΗΘ is mΟSt
successful in attacking the monotony of rhythm in them, and
the t endenoy to resolutions. Ηe shows that any 11ne can ΤΟΘ
spoiled by the insertion of λη κύι"cον απώλεσεν for "every-
t hing fit s your iambios. " Τhis σ?it icism lΟses some of it s
rorce from the fact that in the nature of things such a
phrase σs η be fitted int o most iambic t rimeters. Ιt i8 ύ]mΘ
fault of the met er, not the τoet! Τhough it is t rue that
Εuripides ' son was σompelled to change the prologues, after
this στ?it iσism, as otherwise the people would have laughed at
t he remembrance Οlf't he ληκύθιον, it i8a18Ο t rule t;]nat t he
popularity of the dramas was in no wise diminished by the
critician."
*Ο f. 1174.
ο Π.Ι.83-1247. Τhe various theories explaining Εuripides"
use of prologues are brought together by Ηaigh, Τhe Τragio
ΙDrama of the Greeks, 249-251.
f Gf. certain frequent Ηomeric formulae, adapted to fill-
ing out hexameters, Τt was an old fashioned habit .
+Μüller-Strübing, 377.

18
Furthermore, Εuripides successfully ret ort s by showing
that there is equal or greater monot ony in the melodies of
Αesσhylus. Αeschylus σharges that Εuripides borrows his
verses from t he lΟWest and mΟst Οut landish 8Οι1m"ces. Ηe iΥι-
vokes t he Μuse of Εuripides, and she ent ers, ludicrously
8t t i"θd.
Αeschylus then parodies Furipides " Ιyrics :
"Ηalcyons ye by the flowing sea
Waves that warble twitteringly,
Circling over the tumbling blue,
Dipping your down in it a briny dew,
Spi-i-iders in σΟΤners dim
Spi-spi-spinning your fairy film,
Shuttles echoing round the room
Silver notes of the whistling loom,
Where the light-footed dolphin skips
Down t he wake of the dark-prowed ships,
Οver the σου.rse of the racing steed
Where the clustering tendrils breed
Grapes to drowη άull σε re in delight,
Οh! mot her make me a σhild again just for t o-night !
Ι don ' t exactly see how that last line is to scan,
Βut that ' s a σonsideration I leave to our musical man" και
*Library of the World's Best Literature, "Αristophanes, η
Ρaul Shorey.
19
Αeschylus further parodies the monodies of Εuripides in
a passage which Frere renders as follows:
"Ο dreary shades of night !
What phantoms of affright
Ηave scared my t roubled sense
With saucer-eyes immense;
Αnd huge horrifiσ paws,
With bloody claws !
Υe maidens, hast e, and bring
From the fair spring,
Α bucket Οf fresh wat er, whose olear st ream
Μay purify me from this dreadful dream.
Βut oh! my dream is out !
Υe maidens search about !
0 mighty powers of mercy, σsn it be,
Τhat Glyke, Glyke, she
Μy friend and civil neighbor heret ofore
Ηas robbed my hen-roost of it s feathered store 74
Ιn this parody "t he σonsummately oreative" Αristophanes
mocks Εuripides" obscurity, incongruity, triviality,
+1331-43. Ο:f. Ηeo. 68-86. Ι. Τ'. 143.-177.
2Ο
mixture of met res, and repetition of words. και
Ιn spite of the parodies, it is very generally admitted
that Εuripides was one of the great est masters of lyric poetry
τWhΟ evrΘΥ 1ivθd 1η Αf t iG8 , Τhe mixture Οf ίηet re8 ΒΟΪηet imes
serves to bring out more clearly the spirit of a scene, and
the repet it ions, if not used to θΧσθss, enhance t he pathos of
a pa8Sagθ.
Αeschylus now wishes to weigh their poetry upon the
8GalΘ8. Ηis proves t he heavier, and he finally σlaims that
two of his verses will outweigh Εuripides "himself, his σhild-
Τren, his wife, Κephisophon, and his whole Library. " 9 Τhis
is only another σomic way of impressing the thought of the
solidity of Αeschylus' work, as σompared with the lightness
Οf that Οf Εuripides.
Τhe deσision finally turns upon a leading question re-
garding Α1σibiades, intended to bring out the relation of the
σont estant s to polit iσs. Αeschylus gives the answer satis-
factory to Dionysus - and doubt less t o the audience , - and he
decides to take Αeschylus baσk Wit h nin! Ιn vain Εuripides
*φόνοα βό rια /33", δάκρυα δάκρυα έβαλον έβαλ ο γ / 3 54 - /33 37
Cf. Ι. Τ. 892, 402; Ηe.σ. 181 (φρούδο 5 is a faVΟΥit e WΟΥd
with Εuripides, οσσυ rring no less than thirty t imes ), 175,
184, 192-3, and many other examples.
914.Ο 7-9
f"Τhe point s urged on both sides are all shallow and un-
important , and only of weight before an idiot iσ Judge, such
as Dionysus. " Μahaffy, Greek Classical Literature: Vol. 1,
Ρt . ΙΙ, p. 235.
21
8ays :
/ - ύ - κι J/
Αλ ΘΑκΥ η ι( ε γ ο 5' γ υ γ Ό Cυ γ' εαν, ο υ» ω " και " ,
φ υ, η Υ απάξεων χα' οίκα ο , λ (ΑΟ 0 U CΟ U , φίλους."
γη
Dionysus replies with the Οft -parodied Words of Εurip-
1des: ή γλώττ' όμι ώμοκ: which ine alleges as sufficient
Justification for breaking his oat h. Τhis may be taken as
an illustration of the parodies of Εuripides by Αristophanes
Οf which t: hΘΥre are SCΟΥes. Ο Τhey appear in almost every
σΟΪnedy.
Ιt is a remarkable illust rat iOn Οf tine lit. Θrary knowl-
edge of the people that so many parodies σου.ld be introduced
int ο σomedy, and appreciat ed by t he suatence! Ιt mt18t, ηΟί,
pe thought that every parody implies sarcasm or ridicule.
Μany are entirely namesεί and are used to give a comic
turn to a sent ence. Μany ot her writ ers are parodied,
(Sophocles - harmlessly - seven or eight times:) put the great
pulk of Αristophaniσ parody deals With Εuripides. Τη SΟme
+1469-71
"Catalogued by Lessing, and Van Leeuwen. ΕΧamples are
Ασh. 7, 119, 479, 893; Εq. 15, 80, 214, 1290; Νub. 30, 42,
891-8, 1154-5;"1415; Ρax 76-7, 114-7, 124-6, 140, 154; Αves
348, 829, 1232, 1720 ; Ιys. 706-7, 713, 71β., 954-979, 1124-35;
Τhes. 120, 177-8, 855-915; Ran. 303-4, 470-8, 838; Vesp.
7β.8, 995, 1074, 1159.
ΤΟleum enim et operam perdit is qui σarmen aliquod ad
risum iocumque deflect it non sat is notum iis qui audient .
RibbθοΚ.
+ Schwabe σoncludes that the majority of parodies of
Εuripides have no malicious int Θηt .
3"I have not found more than eight instances. " Β. Ρerrin.

22
parodies - as here - the "licensed libeller, Αrist ophanes, "*is
obviously unfair. Τhe meaning is often pervert ed, the
Εuripidean use of σertain words is altered, passages are un-
fairly torn from the σont ext . " Τhe "Αeologikon" was ent ire-
ly a parody on the "Αeolus. " Τhe "Ρhoenissae " of Αristoph-
ones was based on t he "Ρhoenissae" of Εuripides. SΟΪηe plays
Οf Εuripides are never parodied. 0thers are frequently
parodied, especially those which Αristophanes regards as con-
taining dangerous doctrines. Ιn the passage σjted above, the
σont ext gives a far different meaning from that which Αris-
t, ophanes at t ribut es to it . It was uttered by Ηippolytus in
a burst Οf indignationί ί.
"but soon he says
"Woman, I fear God: know, that saveth thee.
For, had Ι not by oat hs been t rapped unwares,
I had ne" er forborne to tell this to my sire.
Νow from mine home, while Τheseus yet is far.
Ι go, and I will keep my lips from speech. "
Αnd again :
"Ο Gods, why σan I not unlock my lips,
Who am destroyed by you whom I revere ?
*σ. Ε. Sandys,βα σεβαιε, ανάσα.
"Αrist ot le was the first , it would seem, to prot est
against the abuse of "proof t ext s. " ΡΟ 5t . 25. 8.
fΗip. 612.
f Ηip. 656-9. Τranslations from Turipides are by Way.
23
ΝΟ - whom I need persuade, I Should not so,
Αnd all for naught should break the oat hs Ιswore. "
(10β0-1083).
So Ηippolytus dies, rat her than break his oatin.
ΤΟ ret urn t: Ο t he "Frogs.", Εuripides says:
αίσχιστον έργον προσβλέπεα κ' εί"Υ"""""""ό
Διο τί δαισχρόν, ή και μ ή το α ' "εωμένοι , """ ή
/ Α / -
ΕγΡ σχέτλαε, περcόμεί ΑL- € δή τεθνη κότα;
5\ \ - / Ο Υ
Δ Ι Ο. τί, ο δδειγ ει τζ Ο Χήν Αλ. € Υ ζ ΟΓΌ ζ κατ θανεθν,
/
τ ο ΤΥγΘ Cγ δε δειπνετν, το δε καθεύδειν καό όσον;»
Verse 1475 is a parody of a line rron the "Αeolus, "
WhΘΥ"Θ χρωμένοα Was used in plaGe Οf θεωμένο «υ. Τhe
sentiment is utterly reprehensible, (like Ηamlet ' s "Τhere ' s
not hing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so" ), but
it σannot be taken as an expression of Εuripides " οelief.
verse 1477 is found in the Ρhrixus, o and Ρolyidus!
Ρlut o, Dionysus and Αeschylus now go in to feast and the
σhorus says: "Ηappy is the man that getteth understanding. "
Τhe Οde which rollove"ney pe regarded as Αristophanes' judg-
ment of Αeschylus briefly expressed. Ιt implies that Εurip-
ides has neglected the most important things in tragio art.
Αesσhylus" part ing shot characterizes Εuripides as παγοδργο ,
ψε υδολόγος , and βωμολόχος.
+1474-8.
"Γrag. 830.
f Frag. β39. Gf. thought in Ηip. 191-2.
1 1482-99.
24
Τhe "Frogs" was not written primarily as a piece of
literary σTit icism. It s main obje σt was to stem the tide of
scepticism and innovation which was st eadily rising. Αll
the dangerous tendencies of the times, Αristophanes believed,
-
WΘire inGarnat ed in Εuripides. Ηe was jealous of his popular
ity; + Ine detest ed him as an enemy to the public Weal. ΗΘ
thought that he had lowered the ideals of old Greek tragedy
py his realism and sentimentalism; that he had int roduced
passion into tragedy; " that he had promot ed atheism."
Ιn the "Clouds" the "Unjust Αrgument " proves that Εurip-
ides is the bet t: Θir poet . Ιn the "Frogs " it is an unjust ar-
gument which proves Αeschylus t o have been t he better poet .
Βut Αristophanes meant to prove his case, and he did prove it ,
to his own satisfaction and t hat Οf his audience, who awarded
him a prize, and straight Way Went out and gave themselves up
to producing, imitating and witnessing the plays of Εuripides.
Οne more such defeat Would have placed Εuripides on the tinrone
of honor without thought of a rival.
Τhe "Τhesmophoriazusae " is full of criticisms of Εurip-
idΘ8. Ρarodies of style and matt er are introduced in a
masterly Way. Αristophanes especially σgalls attention to
the way Εuripides treated women in his tragedies. Βut Well
*Couat , 337.
"Ran. 850, 1043-1055, 1079-1081. Οf. Αes. Αgam.
ΤΗan.885-894.
25
may the Women of Αthens t remble When the author of the
"Τhesmophoriazusae, " and the "Lysist rata, "
"Τhat best iality
So beyond all brut e-beast imagining, "*
appears as their defender. Ρut together all that Εuripides
σharacters ever said about women, and it would not σompare
with the abuse heaped upon them by Αristophanes. Τhe promi-
nence Εuripides gave to Women in his tragedies was an "inno-
vation, " although the Ηomeric poems give much prominence to
WΌΥΠΘΙΩ . Τhe Τrojan War was γυναικό, εζre Κίλ, Μuloh. Ο:f t he
act ion in Εuripides" dramas is in the hands Οf WΌimen; most
of the σhoruses are σomposed of women. Βergk sympat hizes
Wit h Αrist ophanes. Ηe says : "Εs ist immer ein Ζeichen
eimer sinkenden Ζeit , wenn in der Literatur das Weibliche
Εlement vor dem männlichen bevorzugt wird. " ο
Εuripides had realized the sad αondition of the Women
of Αthens, and had determined to emanσipat e them. ΤΊΠΘ
"Εσσlesiazusae" - the "School for Scandal" - is a protest
against such emanσipation. Ιt is true that Εuripides gives
piof ures Οf Wicked WΟΪmen as well as good," Τout 8Ο do tine
3oriptures. Ηe shows the possibilities of women for good
and θVil.
*Αrist ophanes " Αpology.
ο ΙΙΙ., 572.
fΒut Cf. Αesσhylus" Clyt aemnest ra, e. g. in Αgam. 1854,
θquallθd in later tragedy by Lady Μacbet h.
26
Ηe portrays evil characters, not for imitation, but to
inspire terror, and fear of such lives, so fulfilling one of
t he ancient demands Οf dramat ic art . Εver since the days of
Αristophanes he has been charged with being a misogynist .
Τhe σharge arises by reason of some σharact ers he pictures,
and from such passages as these :
"Why hast t hou given a home beneath the sun,
Ζeus, unt o woman, specious συμrse to man 2
Ηereby is vonen provoa a grievous bane-
Ηe, who begat and reared her, banishes,
Υea, adds a doWeir, to rid him of his bane.
Curse ye ! Μy woman-nato shall ne" eir be sated,
Νot though one say that t his is all my theme,
For they be ever st rangely steeped in sin. "+
"Τhe life Οf Οne man i8 bett ΘΥ f, η3 η ύlhat Οf t en thΟυι-
8and WΟΪηe11. "9
"Whoso ere now hat h spoken ill Οf Women,
Οr speaketh now, or shall hereafter speak,
Αll this in Οne WΟrd Will Ι σlose and 8ay : -
ΝΟΤ Sea nΟΥ 1and dΟt h nurture such a breed:
Ηe knowet h, who hat h Gonverse Wit h tinein πιost. "f
*Ηip. 616-68β. Gf. Αnd. 85, 269-273, 911-912. ΡhΟΘΥ1.
200-201. Frag. 532.
"Ιph. Α. , 1394.
fΗeauba, 1178-1182.
27
"Υou see how unt rustworthy is the race of women. "
(Ι. Τ. , 1898. )
"πιχσept my mother, I hate the whole race of women. "
(Frag. 500. )
ΕΥΟΙn t he Οrest e8 :
Ρylades. "Αnd brought he his disloyal wife with him ?"
Οrest es. "Τη truth he brought hernot, but she brought
Ιnim. " (741-742. )
ΑΥΜΟ :
Chorus. "Τhat peace to Wound always our sex was born,
Αugment ing by our ills the ilis of men. "
(β05-β06. )
Βut even in the Sept em we hear t his :
"Νor in misfortune, nor in dear success
Βe Woman my associate : if her power
Βears sWay, her insolence exoeeds all bounds,
Βut if she fears, Woe to that house and σity.
(187-19Ο. )
Αnd again: ώ Ζεύγυναικών ο Υον ώπασα και γένο, (256).
Τo give two instanoes out of many from Αristophanes, the
pure and lofty σhampion of Woman:
Ιysist rata. - "Αnd greatly for us women am I grieved,
Τhat by the men we are accounted all
ΤΟ ΤΟΘ γWickedi. "
ΚalΟΙnike. - "Αnd so We are, by Ζeus. " (Lys. 9-12. )
28
Chorus. "Τhere is no poet t haη Εuripides
ΜΟre Wise, for t ne re ' s no animal so shameless
Α8 wΟΥman. "+
Ιn the passages given above from Εuripides the context
throws instructive light upon the sentiment s expressed.
Τhey must be for the most part recognized and estimated as
Όeing the sentiment s of the σharacters, not of Εuripides.
Εuripides appears in a very different light when we notice
some of the female σharact ers he has port rayed. Νo misogy-
nist σου.ld or would delineate a Polyxena, Iphigeneia, Μacaria,
ΟΥ ΑΙGest i8. Τhese are among the finest port rayals of fe-
male character t: Ο Όe found in ali Literature. Α1:fiΘΥ?i
thought the Αlσest is the most beautiful and touching of all
Greek tragedies. Τt has Οft en been imit at ed. Says Ηaigh:
"Some of his heroines are among the most lovable figures in
1:it; Θ:"af Lare . "Ο ΡΥ"Ο:fe 88ΟΥ" Ι.awtonfsays: "Τhe poet who creat ed
such noble and inspiring types of Women deserves the et ernal
gratitude of all who love and honor heroic wives and
mΟt hers. " Gilbert Μurray says: "Αbove all, Εuripides
(in Μaσedon ) ret ains his old belief in the infinite possi-
ΤΟilit, ie8 Οf t: he Unt ried ε1+1. * Μahaffy, speaking of
*Lys. 368-9 . Αdd 283, 715; Εσσl. 214-240; Τhes. 4β6-
519, 785, 78β., et al.
"Τhe Τragio Drama of the Greeks, 222.
fΙ, ibrary of the World's Best Lit erature : "Εuripides. Η
3Ε Αncient Greek Ι, it e?at u re .

29
Μaσaria in the Ηeracleidae, says: "Νothing σsn be finer than
the drawing of this noble girl. "*
0ηe Fragment (901) finely port rays an ideal woman: ο
"Βeauty Wins not love for Woman from t he yokemat e of her life :
Μany an one by goodness wins it ; for to each true-hearted
Wiife,
Κnit in love unto heir husband, is Discret iOn ' s Secret told.
Τhese her gift s are : -though her lord be all uncomely to
Το ehold,
Το her heart and eyes shall he be σomely, so her wit be sound;
("Τis not eyes that Judge the man; within is true discern-
ment found) : -
Whenso" er he speaks, or holds his peace, shall she his sense
GΟffmθηd,
Ρrompt with sweet suggestion when with speech he fain would
please a friend: -
Glad she is, if aught untoward hap, to show she feels his care :
σοy and sorrow of the husband aye the loyal wife Will share : -
Υea, if t hou art sick, in spirit will thy wife be sick With thee,
Βear the half of all thy burdens - nought unsweet account eth
8]ηe :
ΤΟΥ with those we love our duty bids us t ast e the oup of bliss
Νot alone, the oup of sorrow also - what is love but t his ?"
*Cl. Gk. Lit . , Vol. Ι., Ρt . ΙΙ, p. 11β.
"See Frags. 497, 819; Ιon 398-40Ο; Τroaά. β45-65%;
Μed. 230-251; ΕLθΟ. 1071-1085.
3Ο
Αristophanes " literary σmit iσisms are colored by his
pelief that Εuripides was ecept iσal and at heist io. * Ιn the
σontest in Ηades this is noticeable at the very beginning, in
the difference between the prayers of Εuripides and Αeschy-
ΙU18. Ο Τhere are many passages in Εuripides which taken by
t, hemselves wΟuld seem t: Ο ful rnish a basis for t he8e at tacks.
It is σertain that Εuripides regarded much of the συrrent
mythology as nonsense, and much of the "religion" of the day
as superst it ious rolly!
"ΙΟΟf h 8ΟmeΟ ηe sey that there be gods above ?
Τhere are not , no, there are not . Let no fool,
Ι.ed by the old false fable, thus de σeive you.
Look at the fact s themselves, yielding my Words
Νο undue σmedence; for I say that kings
Κill, rob, break oat hs, lay σjities Waste by fraud,
Αnd doing thus are happier than those
Who live Galm pious lives day after day. ""
(J. Α. Symonds.)
Ζευ, , όσ–τι, ο Ζεύς, ου γάρ οδόα πλήν λογώ κλύων
+Ran. 310-311; Τhes. 272, 451; Νub. 333, 360.
ο886-894,
fΤrag. 294.
#Frag. 288.
ο Frag. 483.

31
Αfter such a picture as that of Aphrodit e in the Ηippo-
lytus, * one oan imagine Εuripides saying sorrowfully: "Τhese
pe thy gods, 0 Αthens, " and saying too: "Whom therefore ye
Worship in ignorance, Ηim reveal I unt o you. " ΕΟΥ the re are
ιunmist akable not es of belief in God, in an overruling Ρroν-
idence, and in punishment for sin, though it seems that like
εTob , like Αeschylus in the Ρrometheus Βound, and like many
another since, he had not been able to find a satisfactory
explanation of some human and Divine mysteries.
Βut he knew men and women thoroughly, and like Βrowning,
ine regarded the human soul as the one thing above all others
to study and port ray. Τhe Ηippolytus might not inapt.ly be
σalled "Α Soul ' s Τragedy. " Ι.ike many other tragedies of
Εuripides, it shows the struggle between good and evil which
Ρaul" reσognized, and which goes on in every heart. Τhe Ιon,
a marvelous study in rationalism, reveals Αpollo to his doubt -
ing worshiper as working for his welfare. Τhe ΒaCGhae ShΟWS
the folly of refusing allegiance to the aettaea." Τhe Ιphi-
geneia in Tauris represent s the heroine as believing in the
penevolence of Αrtemis, in spite of the customs σonnected
with her worship by the people. ΗΘΙ? asseveration" ητU18t have
occurred to many student s of Ηomeric theology.
*Sophocles had said that Αphrodit e was invincible.
Αnt ig. 800.
ΟΡΟΙη. VΤΤ, 14-24,
+1150-2, et al.
+380-891. Ρindar expressed similar thought s.
32
Μany passages breat he a religious spirit . ΤΟ:r example :
"In God there is no injustice. " (Frag. β06).
"God, if Ηe be God, Lacket h naught . " (Η. F. 1341).
"Τhe Οracle S Ο:f ΙΟΧli as a?Θ iΙmmΟVaΌle. " (Εlec. 399-400). *
Αristophanes believed that the old theology was best ,
and he consistently attacks all departures from it . "Ιn the
end to be at t ained in religion, as in politiσs and other
mat t ers already disσμssed, Αrist Οphanes seems really to have
Τοeen neareir t: Ο Εuripides t han he dreamed. It is hardly go-
ing too far when Βrowning makes him say:
"Why, all my soul ' s supremacy of power
Did I pour out in volley just on him
Who, his whole life-long, ohampioned every σsuse
Ι σalled my heart ' s σause, loving ae Τ loved,
Ηating my hat es, one false, one true for both-
ChampiOned my σause. Ι, Αrist Οphanes,
Who boast me much invent ive in my art ,
Αgainst Εuripides thus volleyed muck
Βecause, in art , he too ext ended οounds. " "
et οι see also Frags. 581, β09, 942, 981; Ι. Τ. 1475-147β,
"Μahaffy does not admit his sincerity. Ηe says : "ΑΙ.Ι.
t his seems rat her from policy than from real devout ness, for
Ιhe does not hesitate to travesty the Gods, and to present the
religion of the people under a ridiculous form. " Greek

Classical Ι.it erature. Vol. Ι. Ρt . ΙΙ, p. 243.
f Αristophanes' Αpology.
33
Εuripides believed in a higher theology than that of the
people. Ηe believed in a higher type of humanity than that
τound in Αύlhens. Ηe believed in nobler ideals; mΟΤre chival-
rous cΟΥlsiderat iOn fΟr WΟΪnen; mΟΤre sincere pat riot ism; Τoet -
τer nomes; higher life and deeper thought . ΤΟ ύΙhiS hΘ
sought to call the people, making many errors of Judgment
doubtless, but throwing all the force of his splendid int el-
lect into the batt le for political, social and religious
emancipat ion.
Τhe verdict of the thought ful student of Greek tragedy
is likely to be expressed in agreement with the words of
Dionysus, * σomparing Αeschylus and Εuripides:
τον μεν γίγο ηγούμαι σοφ* -ω δ' ή δομα α ς.
"Εuripides laid the foundation of which the coping-stone
is Shakespeare. " ο
"Searcher of human heart s, to thee was given
Το un8eal the fountains of the soul that well
Ρity and love, in sympathy to dwell
With all that in life ' s agonies have st riven :
Ρetters by magic of thy music riven
τ"rom σaptives dropped in t hat Sicilian hell:
Τhy dead lips on the Spart an breat hed a spell
Whenae blessing-incense soared to that high heaven
* Raη. 1413.
"Μου lt on, Αncient Classical Drama, p. 1β.Ο.
"Where he, who sang of triumph-arimsoned seas,
Αnd thou, through whom things σοίπmon touched the
Spheres,
Τwin-t hroned, while hand to hand of brother σLave,
Smiled scorn of gods on Αristophanes, -
Α satyr mocking orphaned Αthens ' tears, -
Saw from the stars frogs σmoaking o" er a grave. "+
*Way.
εί".Α.: ΑΥ** 4λ. ί « ». . . , Ά.» . 3
ν -" , Κ. - Υ *και
\ Α---Α ----ι-Ε-ω- "
--- τy -, «ττ-



ΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙΙ
"ούτε 535έ"έει
64
-
-
-
- -
-
--