Aristophanes Agathon in Women at the Thesmophoria Essay -- Aristophan

Aristophanes Agathon in Women at the ThesmophoriaAristophanes and Agathon were peers in Ancient Greece. Aristophanes was the master of comedy, and Agathon was the master of tragedy. They travelled in the same circles and are present in the same works. In looking through the comic electron lens system at Agathon in Aristophanes Women at the Thesmophoria, the reader is presented with a portrayal of an effeminate composition with a ace for the dramatic and a queenly attitude. Aristophanes Agathon is a comic character to be laughed at, a man that is more female than male. In looking at this view of Agathon, Grecian views of homoeroticism are brought up and Agathons temper and character in the world of Ancient Greece is brought into question. How very much of this portrayal is actual, and how much is Aristophanes use of comedy? More importantly, what is exposed in viewing Agathon in this light? In order to answer these questions, an alternate, non-comic view of Agathon must be loo ked at, which Platos Symposium offers. By comparing Agathons portrayal in both works, views on Agathon and on Greek homoeroticism can be inferred. Aristophanes depiction of Agathon is not true to Agathons actual self, but kind of uses ethnic stereotypes and bigotry to gain laughs. Looking at Aristophanes portrayal of Agathon in both Symposium and Women at the Thesmophoria and in looking at the general treatment given(p) to Agathon in Symposium, a basis for this interpretation is created, allowing the modern reader a dischargeer look at Greek life. Three lenses are presented- Aristophones comic lens in his famous comedy, Aristophanes personal lens through his speech in Symposium, and Platos non-comic lens in Symposium, providing a wide range of views to be explored. Arist... ...ng the most cultured, the stereotypes of the masses were ignored.Through combining all three lenses, it is clear that Aristophanes portrait of Agathon is not true to Agathons actual self, but rather uses cultural stereotypes and bigotry to gain laughs. Though Agathon was a womanly man in a long-term homo-sexual relationship, Women at the Thesmophoria plays on stereotypes, exposing the common Greek ideals of masculinity and homoeroticism. Through further exploration of Symposium, both with Aristophanes tint and without, it is unmixed that Agathon was no one to be lampooned, but was rather an intelligent, well-respected member of the highest mixer circles. Women at the Thesmophoria serves as more of a lens into common Greek beliefs then a lens into Agathons character, showing that the comic lens of Aristophanes goes deeper culturally then it does personally.