Final answer:
Among the playwrights listed, Aristophanes is the one whose tragedies did not survive to the present day, as he was known for his comedic works and not for writing tragedies. The correct option is a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tragedian whose works did not survive to the present day is Aristophanes. Unlike Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, who are renowned for their tragic dramas, Aristophanes is best recognized for his contributions to Greek comedy.
Aristophanes' works were known for their satirical and comedic take on social and political issues of the day. This means that among the options given: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes, the answer is Aristophanes, as he did not write tragedies that have survived to our times.
Aeschylus is famed for his trilogy, the Oresteia, and is acknowledged for introducing a second actor to play multiple roles alongside the chorus.
Sophocles, known for plays such as Oedipus Rex and Antigone, contributed to the evolution of Greek theater by expanding the chorus size and adding a third actor, while Euripides' tragedies, like Medea, focus on the human aspects of their characters and often challenged societal norms. Therefore, it is clear that the tragedians whose works have survived are Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
Hence, Option a is correct.