In Middle Greek Comedy, what shift occurred regarding the characters in the plots?

In Middle Greek Comedy, there was a significant shift towards a focus on fictional characters rather than mythological figures or historical political characters. This transformation allowed playwrights to create more relatable and humanized situations, emphasizing everyday life, social norms, and the experiences of common people. By centering the narratives around original, fictional figures, these comedies could critique society, explore personal relationships, and entertain audiences in novel ways that diverged from the traditional reliance on the gods, heroes, or historical events. This change marked a move towards a more character-driven form of storytelling, which ultimately laid the groundwork for the later developments in comedic theatre.