The Frogs

Drama | Aristophanes
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How Did Dionysus Resolve the Dispute Between Aeschylus and Euripides?

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How did Dionysus resolve the dispute between Aeschylus and Euripides? 

Aristophanes (c. 446–386 BCE), a master of Old Comedy, explored the conflict between famous tragedians Aeschylus (525/524 - 456/455 B.C.) and Euripides (480-406 B.C.) in his play The Frogs. Dionysus is the god of theater and wine. He takes it upon himself to resolve the dispute between them to determine who the superior poet is and who deserves to return to Athens to restore the city’s glory.

The Literary Duel: Dionysus organized a formal contest between Aeschylus and Euripides. The poets engaged in a heated argument, attacking each other's works. Euripides claimed that he refined tragedy by making it relatable and accessible. He declared, 

When I … took this art of plays from you, / crammed with bombast to the gills, / … I … reduced its weight.

Aeschylus countered this. He asserts that he presented noble and heroic characters, unlike the “delinquents and rogues” featured in Euripides’s plays. He boasted, 

My poetry did not die with me, / but his did once he died.

This line emphasizes that his works had enduring value.

The Political Advice: Dionysus was still undecided, so he asked both poets for advice on how to save Athens. The city was in turmoil due to the Peloponnesian War. Euripides suggested reversing the city's course, while Aeschylus advised placing nobler people in power and strengthening the navy. Dionysus ultimately chose Aeschylus.

Dionysus’s Final Judgment: Despite initially favoring Euripides, Dionysus chose Aeschylus as the poet whose works were more suited to reviving Athens. He declared, 

I shall select the man my soul desires.

This line indicates that Aeschylus’s poetry resonated more deeply with him.

In short, Dionysus resolved the dispute by organizing a literary contest and favoring Aeschylus's timeless values over Euripides's innovative but divisive ideas. Through this humorous and satirical process, Aristophanes criticized contemporary Athens while celebrating the enduring power of classical tradition.

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from The Frogs