The Wasps: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Wasps" is a comedic play by Aristophanes that revolves around the character dynamics between an elderly Athenian citizen, Philocleon, his son Bdelycleon, and their interactions with various supporting characters including servants and a Chorus of jurors. Philocleon is deeply entrenched in his role as a juror, deriving immense satisfaction from the court system, which he believes empowers him. His obsession with judgment leads to comedic situations, particularly when his son, Bdelycleon, attempts to reform him, highlighting the generational conflict and the critique of Athenian democracy.
Bdelycleon represents reason and moderation, striving to liberate his father from his unhealthy fixation on litigation. He even defends Labes, the family dog accused of theft, showcasing his commitment to familial bonds despite the absurdity of the situation. The servants, Sosias and Xanthias, add to the humor with their complaints about Philocleon's antics and their roles in the mock trial.
Additionally, the Chorus of wasps symbolizes the collective mindset of the older jurors, addicted to the power they wield in court. As the narrative progresses, both Philocleon and the Chorus undergo a transformation, as Bdelycleon persuades them to reconsider their choices and to seek fulfillment beyond their judicial obsessions. The play thus explores themes of authority, social critique, and the generational gap in attitudes toward civic duty and personal fulfillment.
The Wasps: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Aristophanes
Genre: Drama
Locale: Athens
Plot: Satire
Time: Fifth century b.c.e.
Philocleon (fih-loh-klee-on), an elderly Athenian citizen and a dicast, one of the six thousand jurors of the Athenian courts. He is completely obsessed with judging and litigation, and to sit in court day after day is the greatest joy he can imagine. He prides himself on his hardness of heart; no appeal from a prisoner can move him, and he always votes for conviction. When his son imprisons him within his own house to prevent his going to court, he attempts to escape by almost every ruse imaginable. He finally allows himself to be persuaded to give up his madness because Bdelycleon convinces him that he is not a pillar of the state, as he had imagined, but a dupe of the Athenian political bosses. He no longer attends court; instead, he sits at home in judgment on his dog, Labes, who has been accused of stealing a Sicilian cheese. At the end of the case, Bdelycleon tricks him into voting for acquittal, for the first time in his life. Later, Philocleon reluctantly allows himself to be dressed in a style becoming to a man of his years and to be taken out into society, where Bdelycleon evidently hopes that he will find interests to replace his extreme fondness for law courts. The old fellow is incorrigible. He staggers home drunk from a banquet after having exhibited there the grossest of manners, carried off the flute girl who entertained the guests, and misused several citizens along the streets. His misbehavior will involve him in several lawsuits, but his previous acrimony has been transformed into the wildest of high spirits.
Bdelycleon (DEH-lih-klee-on), Philocleon's son, determined to break his father's bad habits and to make him over into a model old man. Bdelycleon is evidently a man of substance, and he is clear-sighted enough to know that men like his father are being fooled by a corrupt government, which is using the state revenues for many purposes other than feeding a hungry populace. He is an affectionate son, willing to indulge his father's foibles even to the point of acting as defense counsel for Labes, the accused dog. He speaks for moderation and common sense, but in the end he is no match for Philocleon's buffoonery.
Sosias (SOH-see-uhs) and Xanthias (ZAN-thee-uhs), house servants of Philocleon who aid Bdelycleon in keeping their master prisoner and complain vigorously about his vagaries. Sosias speaks for the dog that accuses Labes during his mock trial, and Xanthias acts as the prosecuting counsel.
A baker's wife and an accuser, who are wronged by Philocleon as he reels his way back to his house after the unfortunate banquet. They appear to demand satisfaction for his having ruined the baker's wife's wares and thrown rocks at the accuser. When Bdelycleon tries to smooth matters over, his father adds insult to the previous injuries.
A Chorus of wasps, all old men and Philocleon's fellow dicasts. Like him, they are bewitched by the power they seem to enjoy as jurors, and they rise before daylight to be first on hand for the opening of the tribunals. Their costumes suggest their temperament and their stings the sharpness of their verdicts. When they discover that their colleague has been shut in his house, they attempt to storm the doors but are driven off by Bdelycleon and the servants. Later, they, like Philocleon, are convinced of the error of their way of life by Bdelycleon.