New Comedy, exemplified by Menander, marked a shift in Greek theater. It moved away from political satire to focus on everyday life and relatable characters. This style influenced Roman comedy and laid the groundwork for modern sitcoms and romantic comedies.

Menander's plays, like "Dyskolos," featured realistic dialogue and nuanced characters. He explored themes of love, family, and social issues, using stock characters and plot devices that would become staples of comedy for centuries to come.

Menander and His Works

Menander's Life and Influence

• Menander lived from 342-290 BCE in Athens during the Hellenistic period
• Wrote over 100 comedies, though only one complete play survives (Dyskolos)
• Considered the best representative of New Comedy, influencing later Roman playwrights (Plautus, Terence)
• Focused on realistic portrayals of everyday life and human nature
• Developed more nuanced and psychologically complex characters than Old Comedy

Dyskolos: A Landmark in New Comedy

• Dyskolos (The Grouch) rediscovered in 1957, providing insights into Menander's style
• Revolves around a misanthropic farmer and his daughter's romantic entanglements
• Showcases Menander's skill in blending humor with social commentary
• Employs subtle characterization and realistic dialogue to engage audiences
• Utilizes a five-act structure, setting a template for future comedic plays

Character-Driven Comedy Techniques

• Emphasized character development over political satire or fantastical elements
• Created relatable protagonists facing everyday challenges and moral dilemmas
• Used soliloquies and asides to reveal characters' inner thoughts and motivations
• Employed dramatic irony to heighten comedic tension and audience engagement
• Balanced humor with moments of pathos to create more emotionally resonant stories

Plot Elements and Themes

Romantic Plots and Relationship Dynamics

• Centered storylines around young lovers overcoming obstacles to be together
• Explored themes of parental opposition, social class differences, and misunderstandings
• Incorporated elements of chance and coincidence to drive plot twists (unexpected reunions, revelations of true identities)
• Utilized stock plot devices like the "recognition scene" where long-lost relatives are reunited
• Concluded plays with resolutions that often involved marriages or reconciliations

Domestic Themes and Social Commentary

• Focused on family dynamics, generational conflicts, and household management
• Addressed social issues such as marriage customs, inheritance laws, and citizen rights
• Explored the tensions between traditional values and changing social norms
• Depicted the lives of ordinary Athenians, including slaves and working-class characters
• Used domestic settings to comment on broader societal issues and human nature

Mistaken Identity and Dramatic Irony

• Employed confusion over characters' true identities as a central plot device
• Created comedic situations through characters' misunderstandings and false assumptions
• Used disguises, twins, or separated siblings to generate plot complications
• Gradually revealed hidden information to characters and audience for dramatic effect
• Resolved identity-based conflicts in satisfying ways that tied up loose plot threads

Character Types

Stock Characters and Their Functions

• Developed a set of recurring character types that became standard in New Comedy
• Young Lover: passionate but often naive protagonist pursuing romantic interests
• Stern Father: obstacle to the young lover's desires, often softens by the play's end
• Clever Slave: witty servant who aids the young lover and often drives the plot forward
• Boastful Soldier: pompous military man, often a rival for the young lover's affections
• Courtesan: complex female character, sometimes with a heart of gold
• Parasite: sycophantic character who flatters others for food and favors
• Used stock characters as familiar touchstones while adding individual quirks and depth

Evolution of Character Complexity

• Moved beyond simple stereotypes to create more nuanced and realistic personalities
• Explored characters' motivations, fears, and inner conflicts through dialogue and actions
• Allowed characters to grow and change over the course of the play
• Blended traits from different stock types to create more complex and unpredictable characters
• Used minor characters to provide contrast and highlight aspects of main characters' personalities