Roosters, Cockfighting, and Performing Masculinity in Aristophanes's Plays

This paper explores the presence and significance of the rooster in Aristophanes's plays. In particular, the paper argues that the rooster embodied an example of masculinity that was presented on stage to reaffirm an idea of maleness already broadly accepted by society. Drawing from Aristophanes's plays and other ancient Greek texts, the paper suggests that victorious roosters display hegemonic masculine characteristics, asserting dominance over female and other male individuals. As such, the rooster displayed on stage becomes a public symbol of hegemonic masculinity and helps reinforce the expected male performance.¹