The Wasps (Greek: Sphékes) is a comedy by Aristophanes. (422BC)
The play revolves around Philocleon ("Friend of Cleon") and his son Bdelycleon ("Hater of Cleon"). Philocleon is addicted to the proceedings of the Athenian court; he spends all his time as a juror, judging others.
Bdelycleon wants to help his father; he locks him in the house, but Philocleon is determined to get out and go to the court. He attempts a few comical and unsuccessful escape attempts, including a play on one used by Odysseus on the Cyclops in the Odyssey. Philocleon's fellow jurors, a chorus dressed as wasps, come to his rescue. Bdelycleon and his servants brawl with the wasps, who, despite having actual stings, are soon outmatched. Afterwards, Bdelycleon engages his father in a debate, and soon proves to him and the chorus that by serving as jurors, they achieve nothing more than to serve the demagogue. The chorus defeated, Philocleon resigns to staying home.
To help his father with his addiction,...
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