Plato Vs Aristophanes Analysis

Argumentative Strategies of Plato vs. Aristophanes In Aristophanes’ “Clouds” and Plato’s “Apology” Socrates is satirically attacked and rationally defended respectively. The two argumentative styles of Aristophanes and Plato are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Aristophanes utilizes satire and humorous exaggerations of sophist teachings to denounce Socrates. Alternatively, Plato’s “Apology” uses logic and reason in order to defend himself against the charges brought against him. Both writings appeal to a wide array of citizens. Aristophanes eloquent and comedic play can appeal to anybody in the audience, and Socrates ability to simplify as well as articulate complicated ideas makes it so both the educated and uneducated can understand. …show more content…
Within Athens during this time period a generational rift had already begun wherein the older generation perceived the newer generations’ ideas as radical and disrespectful. Since sophists had been blamed for the change in the Athenian youth, and Socrates was associated as a Sophist it only made sense that people would blame Socrates for the change in the youth’s ideas. Aristophanes’ “Clouds” was only one of the factors that led Socrates to be brought to trial. In fact there were so many “forces” against Socrates that even he was surprised at how close the guilty verdict was, “I am much more surprised at the number of votes cast on each side, for I did not think the decision would be by so few votes but by a great many. As it is, a switch of only thirty votes would have acquitted me,” (Plato 36a 1 – 4). This quote helps to illustrate the fact that although Socrates was found guilty, it was not because he gave a bad defense, but rather because of the sheer numbers of people who were against him from the beginning. It is also important to remember that Plato’s “Apology” was written as witnessed by Plato. Because of this we do not actually know what Socrates truly said, or whether Plato’s account of the Trial is completely accurate. However, it is generally believed that the “Apology” was written not long after the event, and many Athenians would remember the actual speech, thus it would be ineffective if Plato, whose goal was to prove Socrates innocence, tried vindicating his master by putting a different speech into his mouth. In addition, Aristophanes’ “Clouds” would have been more engaging and likely to impact the Athenians, and since it was written as well as performed before Socrates’ trial, it is likely the jury held biased opinions against Socrates and that nothing he said would have likely vindicated