Comedy In The Play 'The Frogs' By Aristophanes

Laughing All the Way to Hades

The use of literature in society was deeply rooted in the ancient Greek culture. People would look at playwrights as more than human, using their words to cultivate stories and share their knowledge. The play The Frogs by Aristophanes, tells the journey of Dionysus and Xanthias travelling to Hades to find a playwright, Euripides, to save Athens from the destruction of the Peloponnesian War. Aristophanes tells this story through a use of comedy known as satire, while still covering the major problems of why Athens, and Greece, was collapsing. Stephen Colbert uses comedy in a similar way on his show The Colbert Report. While his quick comebacks and witty remarks create a sense of comedy and lightheartedness, he is still able to cover the issues the guest is presenting. The use of comedy in this way gives the reader/viewer an easier time grasping the material, while still

having an underlying meaning.
An example of this use of comedy in The Frogs, is when Dionysus and Xanthias encounter Heracles to find a path to Hades.

When they meet, Dionysus disguises himself as Heracles, in order to trick them into letting him into Hades. When Heracles sees him, he bursts into laughter, making fun of Dionysus for wearing such ridiculous clothing. The reader can see Aristophanes using comedy to mock another character, which makes it seem that Heracles is laughing at himself. This use of satire plays on the idea that everyone who is “above surface” are idiotic, giving the reason why Dionysus must travel to Hades to find people from the past to save their future. Another example of the use of comedy is when Dionysus and Xanthias continue to change clothing in order for Dionysus to avoid punishment. These actions can be seen as much more “slapstick” type comedy, something that the audience might have found funny if seen on stage. But while reading the play, it can be seen that there is a darker nature to the scene, showing what another would do to get out of his own

punishments.
As for the use of comedy in the show The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert uses it in a much similar way. When having guests onto the show, there is always a sense of satire when waiting for Stephen’s response. He uses it when debating with his guest, or even to make a situation less serious when things become too tense. All the while using comedy to reveal certain important issues on each subject. Ultimately, Stephen Colbert, much like Aristophanes, uses comedy to make it easier for the reader/viewer to consume the message that he is trying to convey. With such serious issues being raised, people might shy away from the material that gets too serious or too “close to home.” The way that they use comedy creates the easygoing feel of each show, or piece of work, giving the audience something to laugh about while discarding the information that is underneath the surface.
There is a belief that some issues are never a laughing matter, but plays like The Frogs by Aristophanes, and shows like The Colbert Report starring Stephen Colbert, tell us otherwise. Sometimes comedy is the best way to share this type news. The effectiveness of satire in a serious setting, giving the audience something to laugh at, while still being provided a greater idea in the end. Some people might take it the wrong way, claiming that the material is too serious to be joking about. But everyone else will laugh at their own destruction, knowing that is was coming all along.