Wasps And Bacchae Analysis

After reading both Wasps by Aristophanes and Bacchae by Euripides, I realized that words can be just as powerful as a god.
Athenian government officials, such as Cleon, in Wasps and Dionysus from Bacchae had total control over others. The people the Athenian government and Dionysus controlled were manipulated to believe that they had power. Within Wasps, readers are introduced to Procleon, a man who has an obsession with being a juror for the Athenian government. Procleon’s obsession is demonstrated by: “What’s even worse, every single night he gobbles down his dinner, puts on his shoes, and runs of down to the courtroom so he can sleep right outside the door, clinging to the notice board like a limpet...So in desperation we’ve locked him in the house” (Aristophanes 140-141). Essentially, the most important …show more content…
In other words, Contracleon tells his father that rich politicians like Cleon use their carefully selected words and wealth to dominate over others, while making those who are controlled feel like they have power. Unsurprisingly, the Chorus responds by stating, “This is outrageous! Appalling! Bare-faced dictatorship… Tyranny…” (Aristophanes 160-164). Essentially, the chorus represents Cleon and the Athenian government officials. Due to the fact that Controcleon sees flaws in the Athenian government, the chorus bashes Contracleon. Clearly, Cleon is a master of eloquence, because he is able to manipulate Procleon and the chorus to dedicate their lives to his ideologies of government without questioning the motives of Cleon and the Athenian government officials. Cleon and the Athenian government officials’ ultimate control over these people is also portrayed by: “You’ve been had, hoodwinked with all their clever talk. They go around threatening the allies, saying that they will unleash their thunderous speeches and move to have them