The Social and Political impact on Old Greek Comedy

Abstract

The study is based on the political and social atmosphere in Athens in the 5th century BCE to facilitate a genre such as Old Greek Comedy to come in to existence..The freedom of direct Democracy enhanced by the traditional features that entertained the audience at various levels were looked into. Since the only prevailing examples are the comedies of Aristophanes, the poets personality, his vision and attitude had to be examined as well. Hence the quotations and comments to enhance the arguments. In evaluating the impact a feature that one is unable to overlook is the fact that the system and tradition already had considered dramas were an effective mode of mass media that a clever poet could manipulate. The theatre, the structure and the religious + social seems to have played a considerable role while contributing to the wider political aspects.