Just and Unjust Speech in Aristophanes Clouds Essay

Throughout Aristophanes’ â€Å"Clouds† there is a constant battle between old and new. It makes itself apparent in the Just and Unjust speech as well as between father and son. Ultimately, Pheidippides, whom would be considered ‘new’, triumphs over the old Strepsiades, his father. This is analogous to the Just and Unjust speech. In this debate, Just speech represents the old traditions and mores of Greece while the contrasting Unjust speech is considered to be newfangled and cynical towards the old. While the defeat of Just speech by Unjust speech does not render Pheidippides the ability to overcome Strepsiades, it is a parallel that may be compared with many other instances in Mythology and real life. The dialogue between the Just and Unjust†¦show more content†¦The Unjust even went as far as to state that Just was â€Å"ancient†. Although these traditions and ideas may be fading, they are not necessarily wrong. However, Unjust speech uses the fact that justice is ceasing to exist to imply that it is of no importance and does not necessitate a role on Greek society. The novelty of the Unjust speech allows it to flourish and triumph over the Just speech. In parallel to the argument between the Just and Unjust speeches, ‘new’ triumphs over ‘old’ once again in the fight between Strepsiades and Pheidippides. Pheidippides declares to his father, â€Å"I will make it clearly apparent, by Zeus, that I was beating you with justice (Clouds, 1332). Throughout their argument, Pheidippides was applying the same techniques to his speech that the Unjust speech utilized. Their apparently cynical disrespect for social mores emphasizes the fact that what is ‘old’ is losing its strength within society. What is right is in palpable contrast to what is currently occurring in the social order. Strepsiades broached the suggestion that as a father he has nurtured Pheidippides from infancy to his adult hood. Because of this, Strepsiades insists that he has earned his son’s respect. However, Pheidippides is convincedShow MoreRelatedAristophanes Clouds Is A Social Commentary On The Nature Of Justice853 Words   |  4 PagesAristophanes’ Clouds is a social commentary on the nature of justice as it pertains to the philosophic life within the city- disguised as a crude theatrical comedy. The protagonist Strepsiades is overcome by debt due to his son Pheidippides’ obsession with horsemanship, and Strepsiades seeks the help of local philosopher Socrates in order to learn the art of deceptive speaking so that he may trick his creditors and not â€Å"give anyone back even an obol of those debts† (120). Although the play is filledRead MorePoli Sci Midterm1155 Words   |  5 Pagesthe establishment and maintenance of territorial integrity and last but not least, the establishment of the laws. 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