Written Assignment
Aristophanes, The Birds
Life in a Society far from Ideal

Aristophanes was one of the earliest writers of satire.  Satire, of course, can be an effective tool to critique the failings of society.  Athens, which saw itself as the center of the civilized world, certainly needed to be taken down a notch or two in Aristophanes' estimation.  Pick one scene from The Birds where you think Aristophanes is most effective highlighting the shortcomings of his society.  Read these lines closely as you analyze this scene in a one to two-page paper.  What is the general message Aristophanes is trying to communicate, and what relevance does it have for Athenian society?