Thesmophoriazusae: Analysis of Major Characters
"Thesmophoriazusae" is a comedic play by Euripides that offers a satirical exploration of gender dynamics and societal roles through the lens of farce. The story centers on Euripides himself, who faces potential punishment from the Thesmophoriazusae, a group of women celebrating the Feast of Demeter. The women are angered by his unflattering depictions of them in his tragedies, and he seeks help from friends to navigate this perilous situation. Mnesilochus, his resourceful friend and father-in-law, disguises himself as a woman to defend Euripides but ultimately exacerbates the conflict through his clumsy attempts at subterfuge.
Key characters include Agathon, a poet known for his effeminacy and reluctance to join the ruse, and Clisthenes, who becomes suspicious of Mnesilochus's disguise. The plot unfolds with a series of humorous misunderstandings and escapades, showcasing the absurdity of the characters' situations. The inclusion of a chorus of women adds to the celebratory yet critical atmosphere of the festival, providing a broader commentary on the roles of women and men in society. Overall, "Thesmophoriazusae" serves as a rich tapestry of comedic elements, highlighting the complexities of gender relations and the cultural practices of ancient Greece.
Thesmophoriazusae: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Aristophanes
First published: 1650, in Silex Scintillans
Genre: Play
Locale: Athens
Plot: Satire
Time: Fifth century b.c.e.
Euripides (yew-RIH-pih-deez), the tragic poet and a perennial butt of Aristophanes' satire, depicted in the broad strokes appropriate to farce. He is about to be punished by the Thesmophoriazusae, women who are celebrating the Feast of Demeter, because he has presented unflattering portraits of women on the stage and has, in the process, given away too many secrets of the sex. He does not know what fate is in store for him, but he wishes to have a friend at court if possible. He attempts to persuade Agathon to disguise himself as a woman, to mingle with the Thesmophoriazusae, and to speak up for him if need be. When Agathon refuses, Mnesilochus agrees to attempt the deception. In spite of his promise to rescue his friend should the trick not carry, Euripides is obviously much more interested in his own safety than in saving Mnesilochus from discomfiture, but after the disguise is penetrated, he comes to the rescue when Mnesilochus begins to hurl small wooden images from the temple, each inscribed with a plea for help, a parody of a device used by Euripides himself in his Palamedes. Once on the scene, Euripides joins Mnesilochus in befuddling the women by reciting wildly burlesqued passages from his own tragedies. When Mnesilochus is arrested and fastened to a post (a situation that permits Euripides to play first Echo and then Perseus to Mnesilochus'Andromeda), Euripides disguises himself as an old bawd and, having promised never to write ill things of women again, releases his friend while the guard is engaged with a dancing girl he has provided.
Mnesilochus (neh-SIH-loh-kuhs), Euripides' madcap friend and father-in-law. After being painfully shaved, depilated, and dressed in a woman's robe, he joins the celebrants in the temple. He presumably would have gone undetected had he been able to keep quiet during the debate on the punishment to be accorded Euripides for his insults to women. In his defense of the poet, however, he insults the women even more. When Clisthenes announces to the enraged women that Euripides has sent a disguised man among them, he is quickly discovered. He attempts to make his escape by snatching a child away from one of the worshipers for a hostage, but the infant turns out to be a wineskin shod with Persian slippers. After being arrested, he is rescued by Euripides. The plot development leads to a series of broadly farcical situations.
Agathon (A-guh-thon), a poet, satirized for his wantonness and voluptuousness. Because of Agathon's effeminacy, Euripides had hoped to send him among the women, but the poet refuses to take the risk.
Clisthenes (KLIS-theh-neez), another effeminate, who warns the women of Euripides' ruse.
A Prytanis (PRIH-tuh-nihs), a member of the council who arrests Mnesilochus for desecrating the Mysteries of Demeter.
AScythian archer, a barbarian with a thick accent and, apparently, a head to match, left to guard the prisoner. He is easily lured away from his post by a dancing girl.
A Chorus of women, celebrating the Thesmophoria.