Plato and Comedy. Plato’s Relationship with Fourth Century Comedy and the Impact on the Development of the Comic Genre

Abstract

This dissertation explores the multifaceted relationship between Plato's dialogues and ancient comedy, focusing on the 4th century. Previous scholarship has emphasised the influence of 5th-century comedy, particularly Aristophanic works, on Plato's dialogues. This study, however, reverses the perspective by proposing a dynamic interplay in which Plato's dialogues played a role in the development of the comic genre. To support this argument, the fragments on Plato of 4th-century comic poetry are analysed in detail, looking at the Platonic lexicon, images and tropes they incorporate. The results show that 4th-century comedians were not only familiar with Plato's dialogues, but actively engaged with them, reflecting their critical approach to tragedy, particularly Aristophanes' treatment of Euripides. The dissertation also examines key passages from Plato's Philebus and Laws that explicitly address the nature and social role of comedy, drawing parallels with 4th-century comic productions. In the case of the Philebus, the analysis shows how Plato's theoretical reflections, alongside his dialogues, influenced later comic works, particularly those of Menander. In the case of the Laws, the study highlights the role of 4th-century comedy in shaping Plato's vision of comedy within the ideal city. These connections reveal a far more reciprocal and nuanced relationship between Plato and the comic tradition than has previously been recognised, while also underlining the ability of comedians to engage critically not only with other poetry but also with Platonic dialogues.