Why Comedy?

Lysistrata and the Not-So-Hidden-Truth:

We understand the power of Tragedy. When we think of Comedy though we often think of laughter and smiles and good times. We forget what I think is the most important aspect of comedy: the brutal truth of it all.

What I like to consider when reading a classic text like Lysistrata is the idea that the author knew what he was doing. I do not think someone like Aristophanes would write a text and not know what he is getting himself into. That isn't far fetched is it?

The Comedy can tell you what it may not be safe to say under regular circumstances. Comedy is not just sarcasm or stupidity. It is not simply something to laugh at. Comedy is the truth. Plain truth. Sometimes the truth is not even masked, thinly or otherwise.

The great comedians can make you face that part of yourself that needs to be looked at, needs to be changed in some way. They make you see it for what it is. They simply put that truth in an absurd situation and allow you the freedom to face it in someone else. The men in Aristophanes's audience may not have thought the play was brilliant but they thought enough of it not to destroy it. They laughed at the silliness. They probably did not see themselves in the silliness. But you bet your ass they were there. They were the silliness.

Tragedy and Comedy help us to live our lives better. At least to understand our lives better. Tragedy will give us very clear warnings, formulas almost. Comedy will put make-up on the pig that is us and make that pig dance on stage, convincing us we are not quite looking at ourselves. It is like Sci-Fi: just because the action takes place on another planet in some imaginary universe does not mean that action has nothing to do with us. So, with Lysistrata the silliness of the males is not farce. It is truth.

Comedy is just as important as tragedy. That is why the two masks are together. They have the same goal. They merely use different routes. The writer of the comedy typically has the harder task: making people laugh at their own faults which they may not want to admit exist.

So: Look in the mirror and laugh. Or see a comedy and laugh. Either way you aren't perfect and I'm sure you, like the rest of us, have room for improvement.