Menander

Relief with Menander and New Comedy Masks - Princeton Art Museum

Menander fresco Pompeii Italy

P.Oxy. II 211

Портрет Менандра А 850

Menander (Greek: Μένανδρος, Menandros; c. 342/41 – c. 290 BC) was a Greek playwright and the best-known representative of Athenian New Comedy. He wrote 108 comedies and took the prize at the Lenaia festival eight times. His record at the City Dionysia, a festival held in honor of the god Dionysus, is unknown. Few of his plays have survived; 'The Grouch' (Dyskolos), discovered in the 20th century, is the only one that exists in its entirety.

Life

Menander was born in Athens around 342/41 BC, into a wealthy family. He was the student of Theophrastus, who was himself a pupil of Aristotle, and he was also associated with Epicurus' philosophical school. His works reflect the social culture of his time and are notable for their sophisticated structure, character development, and the introduction of the comedy of manners to the Athenian stage.

Works

Although most of Menander's work is lost, fragments and titles of his plays have survived, suggesting that his comedies dealt with everyday life and social issues rather than the mythological themes of earlier Greek comedies. His characters were often typical rather than unique individuals, embodying social types that were easily recognizable to his audience.

The Grouch (Dyskolos) is the most complete play that has survived. It tells the story of a misanthropic old man who opposes the love between his daughter and a young man, only to be won over in the end. This play is a prime example of Menander's skill in crafting engaging domestic dramas that explore themes of human behavior and social interaction.

Influence

Menander's influence on later comedy was significant. His works were admired and imitated by Roman playwrights Plautus and Terence, who adapted many of his themes and characters for a Roman audience. Through their adaptations, Menander's influence persisted into the Renaissance and beyond, shaping the development of European comedy.

His plays are considered important not only for their literary value but also for their insights into the social and cultural life of Athens in the 4th century BC. They provide valuable information about the evolution of drama, the nature of Athenian society, and the development of Greek language and identity.

Legacy

Menander's legacy is that of a pioneer in the comedy of manners, a genre that focuses on the social interactions and behaviors of individuals within society. His work laid the groundwork for future generations of playwrights and had a lasting impact on the development of comedy in Western literature.

Despite the loss of most of his plays, Menander remains a significant figure in the history of Greek literature. His surviving works continue to be studied for their literary merit and their portrayal of Athenian society, and his influence on the genre of comedy is still recognized today.