The Frogs
Drama
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Aristophanes
The Frogs Main Text
THE FROGS OF ARISTOPHANES
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ
THE GOD DIONYSUS
XANTHIAS, his slave
AESCHYLUS
EURIPIDES
HERACLES
PLUTO
CHARON AEACUS, house porter to Pluto
A CORPSE
A MAIDSERVANT OF PERSEPHONE
A LANDLADY IN HADES
PLATHANE, her servant
A CHORUS OF FROGS
A CHORUS OF INITIATED PERSONS
Attendants at a Funeral;
Women worshipping Iacchus;
Servants of Pluto, &c.
XANTHIAS
Shall I crack any of those old jo...
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The Frogs Key Info
Key Facts
Full Title: The Frogs (Βάτραχοι in Greek)
Author: Aristophanes (c. 446 – c. 386 BCE)
Title of the Author: Father of Comedy / Father of Old Comedy / The greatest comic playwright of ancient Athens
Source: Based on Greek mythology, Athenian politics, and cultural life; it mixes a mythological journey to the Underworld with satire on literature, drama, and contemporary Athenian soc...
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The Frogs Theme
Themes
Literary Criticism: At the heart of The Frogs lies a unique form of literary criticism. When Dionysus goes to the underworld, he finds two great tragic poets, Aeschylus and Euripides, locked in a fierce debate, each trying to prove his superiority. They mock one another’s poetic language, meter, character portrayal, morality, and dramatic technique. This contest is not only a source of humo...
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The Frogs Quotations
Quotes
“Forget my courage. Show me the highway … to Hades.” – (Dionysus, The Frogs)
Explanation: Dionysus admits his fear. Though he is a god, he shows cowardice on the way to the Underworld.
“My poetry did not die with me, but his did once he died.” – (Aeschylus, The Frogs)
Explanation: Aeschylus claims his poetry has eternal power, while Euripides’ works lost value after his death.
“Use worth...
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The Frogs Character
Major Characters
Dionysus (God of Theatre and Comic Hero): Dionysus, the god of Greek drama, is the central character of The Frogs. He feels that Athens lacks a good tragic poet, so he goes to the underworld to bring back the dead Euripides. However, he is not brave but rather cowardly, lazy, and comical. His timidity and humorous behavior add extraordinary comedy to the play.
Xanthias (the S...
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The Frogs Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: Definition: When one thing is directly compared to another without using like or as. Example: “Weighing verses.” Explanation: Dionysus places the poets’ lines on a scale to weigh them. This is a metaphor where the “depth and value” of poetry are shown as physical weight. It suggests that literature is not just words, but contains hidden morality and power.
Irony: D...
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Notes
Explore 15 detailed notes related to The Frogs. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.