Die siening van die Griekse tragedie by Aristophanes

Abstract

This article attempts to prove that the literary contest in Aristophanes’ Frogs is important as a reflection of contemporary literary discussions. A survey is given of the different aspects of Greek tragedy which are discussed and of the various and contradictory opinions which are expressed. The latter are not necessarily those of Aristophanes himself. In the 5th century B.C. the Greeks seem to have been mainly concerned with questions of style and with the moral influence of tragedy. With reference to the question of how much importance should be ascribed to the comic treatment of literary' matters, the view is put forward that The Frogs contains an exposition of genuine convictions about art. The parallel of Sheridan’s play The Critic confirms this conclusion. The present interpretation of Aristophanes is corroborated by the great influence The Frogs had on criticism right up to the 20th century.