Solon and ThespisIn the archetypal confrontation between the Athenian lawmaker Solon and the Greek poet Thespis, Solon confronts Thespis after seeing him act in a tragedy. He asks Thespis if he is not ashamed to tell so many lies before so many people. In response to Thespis's replythat it was no harm to say or do so in a playSolon vehemently blames Thespis for a professional deceit that threatens to pervade society. Solon's criticism of Thespis points to a