How did Menander shape the style of New Comedy?

Menander was the most influential figure in the development of New Comedy, shifting the genre away from the political satire and mythological themes of Old Comedy toward a refined comedy of manners focused on domestic life.123

His contributions to the style included:

• Characterization: Menander excelled at presenting realistic, recognizable figures from ordinary life, such as young lovers, stern fathers, and intriguing slaves. He utilized elaborated masks to help audiences identify these stock characters instantly.13
• Structure and Tone: He moved away from the boisterousness and public commentary of earlier eras, adopting a witty, gentler tone. The chorus was reduced to a small group providing interludes between acts, allowing the focus to remain on the narrative.231
• Thematic Focus: His plays centered on urban family life and the erotic adventures of average citizens, often incorporating complex plots involving foundlings and the discovery of identity.23

Through his mastery of refined Attic Greek, Menander established a template that was later adapted by Roman dramatists Plautus and Terence, ultimately influencing European comedy for centuries.12