How does Wealth show the transition from Old Comedy to Middle Comedy?

Wealth (also known as Ploutos), performed in 388 BCE, is considered the final play of Aristophanes and a key work reflecting the transition from Old Comedy to Middle Comedy.12

While Old Comedy was characterized by bold political criticism, philosophical commentary, and sharp personal invective, Wealth marks a shift toward a more moralizing tone. This transition reflects the broader evolution of the genre during the early 4th century BCE, as the political climate in Athens changed following the city's defeat in 404 BCE.32

Middle Comedy, which flourished from approximately 400 to 320 BCE, moved away from the aggressive political satire of the past. Instead, it began to emphasize social themes and parody, eventually leading to the domestic, character-driven focus of New Comedy. By serving as a bridge between these eras, Wealth illustrates the movement away from the unrestrained, topical commentary of Aristophanes' earlier works toward the more generalized social satire that would define the subsequent period of Greek drama.23