There are many political and social messages in 'The Wasps' that were written by Aristophanes to provoke the thoughts of the audience, and to make them question the accepted actions and believes of both the older and the younger generation of male Athenians. These actions range from the structure and fairness of the judicial system, to the patriotism of some members of Athenian society, to the questioned sexuality of the younger generation. Aristophanes uses juxtaposition to emphasise the huge difference between the two generations and therefore encourages the audience to make up their own minds which are the more honourable Athenians.

Even the actual names in 'The Wasps' are created to show the leanings of the young and the old towards political icons. The names 'Procleon' and 'Anticleon' clearly show that the older generation are generalised by Aristophanes to all favour Cleon. Whereas 'Anticleon' is used simply to...