Essay Questions

Why does it matter how long the Commissioner was away in Persia?

In The Acharnians, the Commissioner has been away in Persia for a long time, and his absence is used as a plot point to illustrate the absurdity of the ongoing Peloponnesian War. The Commissioner is depicted as being out of touch with the reality of the war and the suffering it has caused for the people of Athens. His lengthy absence in Persia is meant to symbolize the disconnect between the politicians and the general populace, and the fact that they are not experiencing the same hardships as those who are on the front lines.

What is the symbolism in Dikaiopolis being alone in the Pnyx at the beginning of the play?

Dikaiopolis comes out as being alone in the Pnyx, the public assembly place in Athens, at the beginning of the play. This loneliness symbolizes the isolation and alienation that Dikaiopolis feels owing to the ongoing Peloponnesian War. The Pnyx is typically depicted as being a bustling, crowded place, full of people engaged in political debate and discussion. By contrast, Dikaiopolis is alone and isolated, symbolizing the way in which the war has disrupted and divided the community. The fact that Dikaiopolis is able to break away from the isolation and division caused by the war, and forge his own peace with the neighboring Megarians, serves as a commentary on the futility of the conflict and the importance of individual agency.

How does Dikaiopolis obtain peace with Sparta?

In The Acharnians, Dikaiopolis is able to obtain peace with Sparta, one of the main city-states involved in the ongoing Peloponnesian War, by negotiating a personal treaty with the Megarians, a neighboring people who are at odds with both Athens and Sparta. Dikaiopolis's peace treaty with the Megarians is depicted as being unconventional and unexpected, as he is a private citizen rather than a political leader. However, the fact that he is able to secure peace in this way serves as a commentary on the futility of the ongoing conflict, and the possibility of finding alternative solutions to problems through individual action and negotiation.