Writing Homework Help

In his book titled Comedy, published by Routledge in 2004, Andrew Stott states, “While the comedy of Aristophanes (c. 448-c.350 B.C.) sustained an overt political and satirical commentary, comic drama was encouraged to move away from current affairs in an early stage in its development. Comedy had ceased to intervene in issues of government, at least explicitly. . .by the time of Menander (c. 342-c.291 B.C.).”

• View the following clips from Saturday Night Live and Everybody Loves Raymond:

Vladimir Putin Cold Open-SNL @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNK430YOiT4

Everybody Loves Raymond – Funny Moments @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zypC_EBg7KE

(Note: It’s not necessary to watch all 42 minutes of the Raymond clips, but however much you watch, I hope you get a few good laughs.)

Based on Andrew Stott’s statement about the evolution of comedy in ancient Greece, which of these examples of comedy follows in the tradition of Aristophanes (Old Comedy) and which is closer to the tradition of Menander (New Comedy)? Provide two additional examples of comedy today, one of which you believe follows in the tradition of Old Comedy and another that follows in the footsteps of New Comedy. Explain and support your choices.

Length: two well developed paragraphs