Margaret Guy Bette

Political Satire: Aristophanes to Fo: Comedic Conventions of Political Satire in Western Theatre Margaret Guy Bette

It is interesting to discern whether the comedic conventions of western political satire have changed much over the centuries. If not, then the human response to the lampooning of authority figures would appear to be both universal and timeless. There is not a great deal of literature on the subject. This book explores the concept and it comes up with some surprising results. Aristophanes is considered to be one of the best political satirists and his comedic conventions form a template against which their utilization by other playwrights is traced. By the use of contrast and comparison it is possible to conclude that similar responses to political satire do resonate throughout the ages. Aristophanes to Fo focuses on four modern playwrights, Bertolt Brecht, Dario Fo, Joan Littlewood and Bette Guy, to reveal how comedic conventions of the past are irrevocably drawn into the present. This is a work that will interest writers, directors, performers and teachers who work not only in theatre but in other performance media. An understanding of how the historical conventions of Aristophanes remain relevant and worthy of imaginative continuance is a useful and important guide.