080: Hellenistic Literature - Menander and New Comedy

The playwright Menander of Athens (342/341 – 290 B.C.) was the most renowned comedic author of antiquity, surpassing even Aristophanes in popularity. As the father of the New Comedy, Menander moved away from biting satire to draw humor from the interactions of everyday people, popularizing the use of “stock characters” and romance plots that audiences could appreciate regardless of background or education. Of his 108 plays, only one has survived in complete form (The Dyskolos or “The Bad Tempered Man”), and in this episode we will delve into the history of New Comedy and Menander’s works in particular. Episode Notes: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2022/11/25/080-hellenistic-literature-menander-and-new-comedy/) Episode Transcript: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/080-hellenistic-literature-menander-and-new-comedy-transcript.pdf) The Alexander Standard Podcast: Website (https://alexanderstandardpod.podbean.com/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/AlexStandardPod) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alexanderstandardpod/?hl=en) Social Media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod) Facebook (www.facebook.com/hellenisticagepodcast/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellenistic_age_podcast/) Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/hellenisticagepodcast) Show Merchandise: Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) Redbubble (https://www.redbubble.com/people/HellenisticPod/shop?asc=u) Donations: Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/hellenisticagepodcast) Amazon Book Wish List (https://tinyurl.com/vfw6ask)