Aristophanes and Euripides, once again: from <em>Hippolytus</em> 345 to <em>Knights</em> 16-18

Abstract

The paper proposes a new interpretation of the parodic reference to Euripides’ Hippolytus 345 present in the opening lines of Aristophanes’ Knights. It argues that the comic poet singles out exactly that line with the purpose of reminding the ‘correction’ which Euripides was compelled to make as the first version of his tragedy had ‘scandalized’ the audience, that same audience which then applauded the new version without realizing – to Aristophanes’ eyes – the ‘trick’ of Euripides’ subtle change.