Great Books Ep 98. Aristophanes - The Wasps. The Sting of Addiction and the Illusion of Change
About dealing with family members who get addicted to something, and about trying to change someone’s way of life by teaching them.
“For, ah! ’tis hard to break \ From all your lifelong habits; \ Yet some the change have made, \ With other minds consorting, \ By other counsels swayed.”
~ ‘The Wasps’ by Aristophanes (Benjamin B. Rogers translation. GB5 - p. 524)
Brief Summary
The play opens with two slaves, Sosias and Xanthias, talking to each other about being tired of guarding their master, Bdelycleon’s elderly father, Philocleon. Through their conversation, we get to know that Philocleon has developed an obsession to do jury service, and his son has imprisoned him due to this. Philocleon makes several escape attempts, but they are all thwarted by his son and his servants.
The Chorus of Wasps, elderly men who are also jurors, comes to the home in search of their fellow juror Philocleon, and a confrontation ensues between them and Bdelycleon. To resolve the conflict, Bdelycleon proposes to debate with his father about whether jury service is good or harmful.
In the debate that follows, Philocleon proudly describes the power and pleasure he gets from jury service - how defendants must beg for mercy, how they bring their children to court to win sympathy, and how he can exercise power over wealthy citizens. Bdelycleon then reveals the harsh truth: while jurors receive a mere three obols per day, demagogues like Cleon grow rich from manipulating the system. He says he cares about his father and, hence, was preventing him from going into this. By the end, Philocleon goes numb and agrees to do what his son says.
After winning the debate, Bdelycleon attempts to reform his father by teaching him sophisticated ways - proper clothes, dining posture, proper walking, social drinking, witty conversation, etc. The plan backfires when Philocleon attends his first symposium. Rather than becoming refined, he gets drunk, steals a flute girl, assaults other guests, and tries to deflect responsibility by telling stories. Towards the end, Philocleon challenges and defeats Carcinus’ sons in dancing, and the dancing actors lead the Chorus out, which the Chorus notes is a break from tradition.
My Thoughts
There are two aspects that made me think after reading this play. One was about dealing with family members who get addicted to something, and another was about trying to change someone’s way of life by teaching them. The son succeeds in getting his father out of his obsession/addiction, but he fails in trying to make him as sophisticated as he wants him to be. I think most people fail in the first task itself. It is not easy to get someone out of their addiction or obsession just by talking to them. It could be parents who are dealing with children who are addicted to video games or being online all the time, children dealing with elderly parents who are into gambling or spouses dealing with their better half who is addicted to alcohol or drugs, and so forth. Just talking to them is not enough to get them to break the vicious cycle, however convincing one is. That is why there are so many rehab centers and programs to help people deal with this. Once an addiction sets in, the brain itself has changed and it is not easy to come out. People who are addicted sometimes feel that they can do it by themselves, but most people need help from experts and other people who are empathetic to them. Many of the relatives sometimes just give up trying to help someone who is deep into addiction. It is not only enough to help people who are trapped but also help society to ensure that more people don’t get trapped in such things. Luckily, the government does take serious action to stop drugs like fentanyl from being sold.
For the second point, how much ever the son tries, the father has changed only on the surface. In a mock trial at home where they are judging some pigs, the father is ready to condemn before even hearing both sides, just because he smelled cheese on the defendant’s breath. He would have done the same if he had been the juror. Aristophanes, by portraying the jurors as wasps is trying to say that these elderly people are passionate about being jurors because they just want to punish (sting) someone. Later, Bdelycleon puts wealthy clothes on his father, makes him walk like a rich man, and encourages him to drink socially. But it goes awry. I was thinking of people who suddenly come into wealth and are mean to others. Wealth and expensive clothes can mask a person’s true character when you look at them, but their actions reveal their true character.
AI Response to the Post (Gemini)
1. Expanding on Your Thoughts:
Addiction and Family: You’ve rightly pointed out the difficulty of dealing with addiction within families. “The Wasps” highlights this struggle. Bdelycleon’s attempts to cure Philocleon’s “juror addiction” mirror the frustrations and complexities families face. It’s not simply a matter of logic or persuasion, as Philocleon’s deep-seated psychological need for the power and validation he finds in the courtroom is more powerful than reason. Your comparison to modern addictions is apt. Like Philocleon, individuals struggling with addiction often create elaborate justifications for their behavior, minimizing the negative consequences and clinging to the perceived benefits. The play suggests that while removing the immediate source of the addiction (in Philocleon’s case, access to the courts) might be a first step, it doesn’t address the underlying issues. True change requires a deeper understanding of the individual’s motivations and a more holistic approach to healing. As you mentioned, professional help and support systems are crucial in real-world addiction scenarios.
Changing Someone’s Way of Life: Bdelycleon’s failure to “civilize” Philocleon underscores the limitations of imposed change. Philocleon’s behavior, even when dressed in fine clothes and participating in symposia, remains fundamentally unchanged. This speaks to the idea that true transformation comes from within. Bdelycleon focuses on external appearances and superficial behaviors, neglecting the deeper psychological and emotional needs that drive Philocleon’s actions. The play satirizes the notion that simply teaching someone new habits will change their character. It suggests that genuine change requires self-awareness, a willingness to confront one’s flaws, and a desire for personal growth. Philocleon’s relapse into disruptive behavior at the symposium reveals that his “transformation” was merely a facade. He was playing a role, not genuinely changing. This resonates with modern experiences of people trying to fit into a certain social class or trying to hide their original self.
2. Deeper Analysis of Themes and Symbolism:
Generational Conflict: The play is driven by the conflict between father and son, representing a broader generational clash. Philocleon embodies the older generation’s attachment to traditional institutions and practices, even when those practices are corrupt or harmful. Bdelycleon represents the younger generation’s desire for reform and modernization. This tension between tradition and progress is a recurring theme in Aristophanes’ work. The play suggests that while change is necessary, it must be approached with sensitivity and understanding, rather than through force or condescension.
Power and Justice: “The Wasps” explores the corrupting influence of power, even on a small scale. Philocleon’s enjoyment of jury duty stems not from a commitment to justice, but from the sense of power it gives him over others. The play satirizes the Athenian legal system, highlighting its potential for abuse and manipulation. The wasps themselves, as symbols of the jury, represent the stinging, often unjust, judgments handed down in the courts. They symbolize the mob mentality and the potential for injustice when power is concentrated in the hands of those driven by personal biases or petty grievances.
The Nature of Athenian Democracy: While not as central as in other plays, “The Wasps” offers a critique of Athenian democracy. The play suggests that the democratic system, while intended to empower citizens, could be easily manipulated by demagogues like Cleon, who preyed on the ignorance and prejudices of the populace. The image of the wasps swarming and stinging reflects the chaotic and unpredictable nature of Athenian politics.
Symbolism of the Wasps: The chorus of wasps is a powerful symbol. They represent the elderly jurors, their sting symbolizing their power to condemn. Their buzzing and swarming evoke the image of an unruly mob, highlighting the potential for chaos and injustice within the democratic system. The fact that they are elderly also suggests a clinging to the past and a resistance to change.
3. Thought-Provoking Questions for Modern Readers:
How relevant is the play’s critique of the legal system to our own time? Are there parallels between the Athenian court system and modern legal practices?
What does the play say about the challenges of intergenerational understanding and communication? How can we bridge the gap between different generations and find common ground?
How do we balance the need for change with the importance of respecting tradition? When is it necessary to challenge established practices, and when is it important to preserve them?
What are the different forms that “addiction” can take in modern society? How can we address the root causes of addiction and provide effective support for those who are struggling?
To what extent can education and social conditioning truly change a person’s character? What role does individual agency and self-awareness play in personal transformation?
How does the play comment on the nature of power and its potential for corruption? How can we ensure that power is used responsibly and justly?
What does the play suggest about the role of humor and satire in social and political commentary? Can comedy be a tool for social change?