#Old Comedy

[uwmspeccoll]

Classics Spotlight

This 1928 edition of The Eleven Comedies by Aristophanes was published by American publisher Horace Liveright in a limited edition of 2050. While the translator is unknown, the work was translated from its original Greek to English. Originally published by the Athenian Society, a renowned literary society in London, in 1912, this edition was exclusively available to its subscribers.

It consists of two volumes with chromolithographic plates as well as black and white illustrations created by Belgian artist Jean de Bosschere. His artwork brings the characters and scenes of the comedies to life, enhancing the reader's engagement with the text.

Aristophanes, a playwright from late 5th-century Athens, was known as the "Father of Comedy" for his significant contributions to the genre. His plays, characterized by their satirical and often political nature, set the standard for comedic writing and continue to inspire modern comedians and playwrights.

-- Melissa, Special Collections Classics Intern

View other Classics posts.

[scribledon]

This image radiates gender so I drew it

[the-ephemeral-ethereal]

What on earth's the point of living, if you leach your life of all its little joys?

from The Clouds by Aristophanes 

[secretceremonies]

Nichols & May, 1950s

[firsttarotreader]

Another sexually fluid theater role of Pedro’s 👀👀👀

https://www.theatermania.com/news/old-comedy-after-aristophanes-frogs_13877/

https://www.theoi.com/Olympios/DionysosLoves.html#:~:text=He%20had%20modest%20number%20of,Althaia%2C%20and%20the%20youth%20Ampelos

First of all, I looked up Dionysus (Pedro’s character) and damn, that Greek God was hot! 🥵

And yes, in Greek mythology, it was not uncommon for Gods to be sexually fluid, which Dionysus also was, having had lovers of different genders as you pointed out in the link:

That’s another play from Pedro’s theater work I would love to have watched! Here you can see some pics of him in it:

[inked-and-painted]

Paulette Goddard is the best part of Modern Times (1936). Fight me.

[make-a-little-mischief]

I spy a tiny cat with a mustache on his jacket

If that's not a tiny cat with a mustache oh well it is now

***Small Disclaimer*** Hi friends, if you'd like to repost this photo feel free, I just ask that you please credit my blog if you do. Thank you all you teeny tiny precious mustached pussycats.

[travsd]

For Greek Independence Day: On Ancient Comedy

Well, it’s Greek Independence Day, at a historical moment when yahoo school districts are falling all over themselves to ban books so it seemed a propitious time to talk about those indecent founders of the art form I practice, the Athenians. In the enlightened public high school I attended we were exposed to Sophocles’ Oedipus trilogy. We read Oedipus Rex and discussed free will vs.…

[dynamoe]

radio comedians Bob & Ray by Drew Friedman

No one under 70 knows Bob & Ray. If you're an elderly Millennial, you may remember Bob as Chris Elliot's dad, in Get A Life (and in real life).

[cryptocism]

It would have taken another immortal to keep up with him.

so i haven't read the books but i did read the Devil's Minion chapter and this part made me laugh out loud:

[marvelousmovies]

The Front Page (1931) Comedy Full Movie Pat O'Brien

[dailyflicks]

My Old Ass (2024) dir. Megan Park

[scribledon]

I keep forgetting to post here lol… have some boyos

[the-ephemeral-ethereal]

Never underestimate the power of a woman.

from Lysistrata by Aristophanes 

[ilovemesomevincentprice]

One of my favorite photos of some of my favorite people ever.

Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, and Peter Lorre during a lunch break behind the scenes of The Comedy of Terrors (1963)

“This is the way films should be—fun all the way through. The wonderful thing about those old horror movies I did with Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone was the way we’d all sit around and scream among ourselves as we planned how we’d give the audience their kicks.” —Vincent Price

[firsttarotreader]

The character sounds a little bit like Pedro.

"In "After Aristophanes' Frogs," Dionysus is a central character and the protagonist of the play. Dionysus is the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theater, among other things. He is often depicted as a wild and unpredictable deity, embodying the dualities of chaos and order, ecstasy and madness.

In this play, Dionysus is portrayed as a somewhat bumbling and naive figure, but with a deep passion for the arts and a desire to rejuvenate the state of Athenian theater. He is determined to bring back the great playwright Euripides from the underworld in order to revitalize the creative spirit of the city.

Dionysus embarks on a journey to the underworld, facing various challenges and obstacles along the way. Despite his flaws and shortcomings, he is ultimately a well-intentioned character who is willing to take risks and make sacrifices for the greater good of the arts.

Throughout the play, Dionysus is portrayed with a combination of humor, wit, and vulnerability, making him a complex and engaging character for audiences to follow and root for as he navigates the trials and tribulations of his quest."

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/365917538486804989/

https://i.pinimg.com/474x/48/7f/ae/487fae2de27c897d9915c2cd5ad4b215.jpg

https://assets.playbill.com/editorial/_defaultEnhancement/c7b66957c0c5ec9775705d18f878b7ba-oldcomedyprod460.jpg

Wow! That’s beautiful, anon, thank you! Dionysus! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

And while I was reading about him this morning, I actually thought he sounds a lot like Oberyn Martell too. Pedro was always drawn to those “free spirit” roles! 🥰🥰