Discuss the aspects of Greek and Roman Comedy.

1) Aristophanic Comic Scenario
In the two Aristophanic plays we have read, Lysistrata and Acharnians, we see exemplified
what has been called “comedy of the Great Idea,” in which a comic hero or heroine
tries to solve a serious, real-life social and/or political problem by means of a creative
though hilariously unrealistic plan. For this assignment, channel some of the artistic
spirit of Aristophanes by identifying a social and/or political problem of relevance to
us today. Then try to solve it by concocting an outrageous and unrealistic solution
along the lines of what we find in Aristophanic comedy.
Write a detailed plot summary of a play, movie, sitcom episode, book (or any other
visual or written medium of your choice), and populate your comedy with a cast of
characters, including a comic hero or heroine. Then write one or two representative
scenes (with dialogue) which show this hero or heroine at work solving the problem
at hand and interacting with at least one other character.
Length: at least 3 pages single-spaced, 12 pt font.

2) Prequels and Sequels
In modern cinema, sequels are all the rage. As far as we know, they were unheard of
in Greek and Roman comic theater: each play had its own independent storyline which
did not spill over into a second play. But for this assignment, imagine that ancient comic
writers did have a concept of sequels. Choose one of the plays we have read (preferably
one by Menander, Plautus, or Terence), and devise a sequel to it. Write a detailed plot
summary which emphasizes points of continuity with the Greek or Roman play and
your sequel, list and briefly describe your cast of characters, and write a representative
scene or two (with dialogue).
Length: at least 3 pages single-spaced, 12 pt font.

3) Ancient Comedy in Modern Comedy
During this semester we are reading a sampling of plays by Aristophanes, Menander,
Plautus, and Terence. Each of the four playwrights represents a unique form of comic
theater (Greek Old Comedy, Greek New Comedy, Roman Comedy), and each form
had its own set of unique dramatic conventions, types of plot, characterization, and so
on. For instance, Greek Old Comedy preferred fantastical plots and political satire,
whereas Greek New Comedy and Roman Comedy focused instead on the comic
dynamic in interpersonal relationships on the homefront.
As we fastforward from ancient Greece and Rome to present-day America, we find
that comedy assumes a vast number of forms—from late-night political satire (Daily
Show, SNL, etc.) to family sitcoms (Modern Family, Simpsons, etc.). For your final
project, choose at least one form of comedy—a film, episode (or multiple episodes)
of a sitcom, or some other digital or visual medium for comedy—and analyze it closely
to find the ways in which its conventions, plot(s), characterization, etc. parallel and trace
their roots ultimately (even if indirectly) back to the comic theater of Greece and Rome.
Be very specific, citing all relevant character names, comic conventions, scenes or episodes,
and so on.