Final answer:
Aristophanes developed theatre by introducing satirical social and political commentary into his plays, creating a genre known as Old Comedy. 'Lysistrata' is his most famous work. His plays utilized humor to critique contemporary Athenian society while also engaging in intellectual discourse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aristophanes greatly contributed to the development of theatre by adding a strong comedic element to traditional plays, a genre known as Old Comedy. This Athenian playwright used satire to provide political and social commentary on contemporary Athenian life. His work, characterized by burlesque and farcical elements, held a serious intent, often poking fun at prominent figures and societal norms of his time. In particular, Aristophanes' play 'Lysistrata', where women go on a sex strike to end a war, stands as his most famous work. It not only entertained but also provoked thought regarding the societal roles and actions of its time. Additionally, he made significant strides by shaping comedy into more than just laughter, weaving in critiques and debates on morality, law, and educational practices.
His relationship with renowned philosopher Socrates was also noted in his plays, as he used Socrates as a character in his work to satirize philosophical schools like the Sophists, despite Socrates' actual opposing views. This association falsely painted Socrates as a Sophist in the public eye, influencing perceptions and possibly even the philosopher's trial. Aristophanes' clever writing demonstrates that the educational aspect of theatre can coexist with entertainment, a principle that was also echoed by Aristotle, despite his disapproval of comedy as an educational tool.