Thesmophoriazusae

created by RMSzero
(thing) by RMSzero (6.2 mon) (print)   (I like it!) Wed Feb 28 2001 at 8:06:04

A play by Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazus is set in the ancient Thesmophoria festival for women. It also pokes fun at anyone and everything.

Women have gathered to decide the fate of Euripides, whom they allege depicts women unfavorably in his plays. To perhaps protect his honor (and life), Euripides sends his father-in-law, dressed in drag, to argue in his favor. Hilarity ensues when the misogynistic father-in-law tries to convince the women of the Thesmophoria that, in fact, Euripides is being generous in his portrait of females.

After a couple of botched rescue attempts, Euripides uses counterexample to show women that they are not as pure as they might claim.

This play includes jokes about sex, homosexuality, homosexual sex, Homer, penises, current political figures, and much more. It satirizes Euripides in particular and male-female relationships in general. Until very recently, it had never been translated correctly; translators glossed over the copious obscenity. But come on, this is Aristophanes. It's all over the place in Thesmophoriazus.

(thing) by blaaf (8.4 mon) (print)   (I like it!) Wed Feb 28 2001 at 10:42:44
c. 410 B.C. Anonymous translation. (Gamaliel cites the translator as Eugene O'Neill Jr., thanks Gamaliel)

CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY

EURIPIDES
MNESILOCHUS, Father-in-law of Euripides
AGATHON
SERVANT OF AGATHON
HERALD
WOMEN
CLISTHENES
A MAGISTRATE
A SCYTHIAN POLICEMAN
CHORUS OF THESMOPHORIAZUSAE-Women celebrating the THESMOPHORIA

The Thesmophoriazus - Part 1
The Thesmophoriazus - Part 2
The Thesmophoriazus - Part 3

Y'know, if you log in, you can write something here, or contact authors directly on the site. Create a New User if you don't already have an account.