Twentieth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

Scholars have generally understood Aristophanes late naming of the character called the sausage-seller in the rest of the play as an example of providing a name whose meaning fits the character. Typically either left unmentioned or dismissed is the possibility of a connection between Aristophanes’ character and a then-famous Parian sculptor of the same name In this paper, I both question the etymological aptness explanation and make a case for Aristophanes actually intended his audience to make a connection (albeit momentary) between the character in the play and the sculptor. I suggest that this kind of quick association–one that is not intended to remain intact for longer than the joke it creates–is not unique to this instance in Aristophanic comedy.