Aristophanes Aims

What were Aristophanes’ Aims?


Aristophanes comedies were not just designed to be humorous, and to provoke laughter. The truth is, in addition to humour, the comedies of Aristophanes had a much more serious purpose. Aristophanes used his humour as a medium to express his views, to inform the public, and to teach. Aristophanes also used humour as a mask for his criticism of groups, ideas and people – such as Cleon and the Sophists. Aristophanes considered it a poet’s responsibility to educate the audience on how to deal with current events and problems, while not being thought of as having the arrogance to dictate views to the audience. In essence Aristophanes aimed to have the audience think seriously on an issue with a view to moving forward in a positive manner.

Aristophanes however did have a competitive and jovial streak. Not only did his primary objectives direct him to teach, inform and entertain, but he was not one to be easily beaten and strived hard to win the dra...