Aristophanes The Birds ("Ornithets") is the only comedy written by Aristophanes whose entire action takes place far from the city of Athens. Consequently, the play makes little mention of the circumstances of the Peloponnesian War, or of contemporary Athenian politics. It won second prize at the Dionysia in 414 BC. It is a play about the … Continue reading Aristophanes’s The Birds: A New City in the Sky
comedy
The Courts Ridiculed in the Wasps
At the outset of the Wasps, we are presented with two slaves who are awakening after drinking. They have been tasked with keeping guard over the entrances and exits of their house. A huge net has been cast over the house. Their instructions come from their master, Bdelykleon ("Kleon despiser" -in the play, Aristophanes continues his … Continue reading The Courts Ridiculed in the Wasps
The Circus
The Circus (1928) Director: Sir Charles Chaplin The Circus is a delightful film, reprising Chaplin's famous "Tramp" character. In truth, it was one of the hardest movies Chaplin ever made. During the filming, his mother died, there were numerous scheduling delays, a studio fire, a bitter divorce from his second wife, Lita Grey, he suffered … Continue reading The Circus
The Navigator
9/5/2016 The Navigator (1924) Director: Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp The Navigator is another classic Buster Keaton film, and one of his first great films, following Sherlock, Jr. It contains some of Keaton's best stunts and is based on the screenplay by Clyde Bruckman, a writer for other great comedies, including the works of W.C. Fields, Laurel and Hardy, … Continue reading The Navigator
Aristotle, Oedipus, and Greek Tragedy
There has been a longstanding debate, dating back to Aristotle, regarding the purpose, or telos, of a tragedy, and whether or not the "tragic" element is the result of is the result of a unique or particular character flaw stemming from the central protagonist. In other words, is Oedipus, indeed, a flawed human being who has brought about … Continue reading Aristotle, Oedipus, and Greek Tragedy
Our Hospitality
8/27/16 Our Hospitality (1923) Director: Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton and John G. Blystone Buster Keaton delivers a delightful film as his first work with Our Hospitality. It is more sentimental than his other later films, such as The General or Sherlock, Jr. The vast luxury of rural southern plantation life is beautifully captured, yet the slapstick humor that is … Continue reading Our Hospitality
