The play opens at the Pnyx – the location where the Assembly would meet to discuss political matters. Dikaiopolis, the main character, notices that, as usual, there was “not a soul” to be found in the Pnyx (Aristophanes 14).

“Regular meeting of the Assembly, due to start at sunrise, and not a soul here on the Pnyx!... Even the Executive aren’t here. They’ll come in the end – hours late- all streaming in

change because civilization changes as well as time. But if a person is considered a liar, and accepts cheap flattery and loves the self, then these things do not help the person to become better. In fact, as stated before they corrupt the mind. The highest values of a human would obviously be the opposite of each. Instead of falsehood, truthfulness would be a good change. Instead of accepting cheap flattery, one should try being humble. Instead of loving the self, one should try worrying about the community as a whole. Basically, the people, in order to become good, are expected to take responsibility for their actions. The chorus in the play is shown realizing the cure for the war: “see there the proof of [a] prosperous life! ... O Reconciliation, the cure of all strife...” (52). The chorus is portrayed beginning to understand the folly of their actions, and that reconciliation is the only way to achieve peace. So the highest value of a human is to be truthful with one another and the state and take no part in “gossiping” and “dodging the red rope” – one’s responsibility as a part of the Assembly (14).

In conclusion, the Greek drama, The Archanians by Aristophanes, provides the reader some insight into the author’s views on human nature. Basically, people are naturally bad because they lie, and accept cheap flattery, and care more about the individual than about the community, or polis. But this is not completely the people’s fault. It is also the state’s fault because they do not seem to care that the people are not living up to their duties as an Athenian citizen. However, humans owe it to each other to be truthful and to work for the well-being of the community. By doing so, they would be capable of ruling themselves. If not, they would eventually have to face their mistakes and pay for their actions. Once faced with taking responsibility, the people would possess a fear of the gods again. As was shown, Ampitheus, an immortal, was completely ignored at the meeting at the Pnyx. This portrays the idea that gods no longer played such a crucial role in the citizens’ lives. Lastly, in order for the people to become better they must change their “normal Athenian behavior” (26). If the Athenian continues lying and enjoying flattery and material possessions, then that Athenian possesses what can be considered a person’s worst vices. Unfortunately, Athenian pride would get in the way of the people’s chance for peace. They do not want to be considered weak so they would rather fight until nothing is left of their country, than to be different and take responsibility for their naturally bad human nature.

Some topics in this essay:
Archanians Aristophanes, Aristophanes Dikaiopolis’, Dikaiopolis Athenians, Pnyx Executive, Archanians Greek, Athenians Archanians, Assembly Executive, Persian King, Peloponnesian War, Simaetha Megarians, human nature, naturally bad, cheap flattery, responsibilities humans, humans naturally, naturally bad human, humans naturally bad, bad human nature, bad human, athenians play portrayed, matters concerning, human nature evolved, rule themselves, greek drama, completely people’s,