--- title: The Frogs author: Donald L. Wasson source: https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Frogs/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2025-10-16 --- # The Frogs _Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_ *The Frogs* is a comedy play by [Aristophanes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aristophanes/) (c. 445 - c. 385 BCE), the most famous of the comic playwrights of ancient [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/). Named after the creatures who composed the play's chorus, it won first prize at the dramatic festival at Lenaea in 405 BCE and, proving to be successful, it would later be performed at the *Dionysia* festival in [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/). The play represented the last of the playwright's works written during the turbulent era of the [Peloponnesian War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Peloponnesian_War/) between Athens and [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/). Although he endured prosecution for his continued attacks on the politician Cleon, *The Frogs* brought Aristophanes public honors for its promotion of Athenian unity. The play tells the story of [Dionysos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Dionysos/), the patron deity of theater, who complains about the sad state of Athenian drama. In an attempt to save tragedy from a generation of poor writers, Dionysos, disguised as the [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/), and his slave Xanthias, descend into [Hades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/) to bring [Euripides](https://www.worldhistory.org/Euripides/) back from the dead - the tragedian had died the previous year. However, before Dionysos can leave Hades and return to Athens, he is persuaded to serve as a judge at Hades' court over a contest between Euripides and [Aeschylus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aeschylus/) as to who was the greatest Athenian tragic poet. ### Aristophanes Aristophanes was one of the best examples of the “grace, charm, and scope” of Old Attic Comedy. Unfortunately, his works from this period are the only ones known to exist - only eleven of his plays have survived. Little is known of his early life with even his birthdate unclear. The son of Philippus, he was a native of Athens but owned property on the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) island of [Aegina](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aegina/). Classicist Edith Hamilton in her book *The Greek Way* said that Aristophanes wore the halo of Greece: “Aristophanes' Athens is for the most part inhabited by a most disreputable lot of people, as unplatonic as possible” (101). All of Athenian life could be seen in his plays: its politics, politicians, complaining taxpayers, fiscal reforms and the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s general disgust at the on-going [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) between Athens and Sparta. “All was food for his mockery” (*ibid*). Athens was a city of unrest. Residents were confined to the city as Spartan armies loomed nearby. People were outraged at their ineffective leadership in both city government and on the battlefield. All of this served as ammunition for Aristophanes' plays. By the time Aristophanes began to write, [Greek drama](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Theatre/) was in serious decline. Euripides was dead and [Sophocles](https://www.worldhistory.org/sophocles/) would die before the play was completed. However, as in tragedy, much of the presentation of a play remained the same: there were three or four actors (sometimes more) who wore grotesque masks and costumes as well as a chorus of 24 - even the chorus wore masks. Unlike tragedy, a comedy's purpose was to present beautifully written poetry while securing a laugh. Although Aristophanes is sometimes condemned for bringing tragedy down from the high level of Aeschylus, his plays, with their simplicity and vulgarity, were recognized and appreciated for their rich fantasy as well as bawdiness, gaiety, and satire. His comedy was a masterful blend of risqué wit and invention. According to Norman Cantor in his book *Antiquity*, his plays reflected the conservative opinions of the Athenian people who valued not only society's old simplicity but its morality, too. [ ![Greek Marble Comedy Mask](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3290.jpg?v=1773598148) Greek Marble Comedy Mask Mark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3290/greek-marble-comedy-mask/ "Greek Marble Comedy Mask")Aristophanes was an observer of Athenian society. David Barrett in his translation of Aristophanes said that the tension between the old and the new in Athens appears prominently in *The Frogs* and, like his predecessor Euripides, this change - the anti-war tension and political unrest - could be seen throughout his plays. Since his comedies often contained a theme of peace, many were led to believe he was a pacifist. Aristophanes' observations of his fellow Athenians and the city's poor leadership made him a staunch opponent of war. As a whole, his plays were used to ridicule politicians as well as philosophers: the statesman Cleon was a favorite recipient of his satire while [Socrates](https://www.worldhistory.org/socrates/) was depicted as a traitor. [Mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/mythology/) and theology did not escape his scorn either - gods were often portrayed as both foolish and spineless. ### Characters *The Frogs* has a rather large cast of characters: - Dionysos - Xanthias - Hercules - Euripides - Aeschylus - Hades - [Charon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Charon/) (ferryman of the dead) - Aeacus (doorkeeper of Hades) - two landladies - a maid - a slave - and two choruses - one of initiates and one of frogs. ### Plot **Meeting Hercules** The play opens with Dionysos and his servant Xanthias arriving at Hercules' home. In a futile attempt to disguise himself as Hercules, Dionysos is dressed in a yellow robe covered by a lion-skin. Hercules opens the door and begins to laugh at [Dionysus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Dionysos/)' attire. > Sorry, friend, I couldn't help it. A lion-skin over a yellow negligee! What's going on? Why the high-heel boots? Why the club? What's your regiment? (Barrett, 135) They ask Hercules how he had made his way into Hades and explain they hoped to bring back Euripides from the dead. Dionysos explains, “I need a poet who can really write. Nowadays it seems like many are gone, and those that live are bad.” (136). Hercules responds by naming a number of capable, young poets (Iophon and Agathon) but Dionysos contends that none of them is genuine. “…insignificant squeakers, twittering like a choir of swallows. A disgrace to their calling.” (137). He adds, “I defy you to find a genuine poet among the whole lot of them, one who can [coin](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/) a memorable line” (137). In order to restore Athenian tragedy, he must go to Hades and bring back Euripides. So, what's the best way to get to there? Trying to scare the deity, Hercules tells him of the possible terrors: snakes, wild beasts, the Great Mire of Filth and the Eternal Stream of Dung. His warnings, though, have little effect. [ ![Statuette of Hades](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/3560.jpg?v=1705107549) Statuette of Hades Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3560/statuette-of-hades/ "Statuette of Hades")**Traveling to Hades** Dionysos leaves and arrives at a large lake where Charon, the ferryman, escorts him across to Hades. Xanthias arrives by another, longer route. While on the boat, Dionysos, who had to help row, continually complains about his “sore bottom” and his blisters. He gets into a heated argument with a chorus of frogs - singing frogs that refuse to be silenced: "Now listen, you lyrical twerps, I don't give a damn for your burps” (144). As they move away from the lake, they are approached by a singing and dancing chorus of initiates, chanting hymns to [Demeter](https://www.worldhistory.org/demeter/), [Persephone](https://www.worldhistory.org/persephone/), and Iacchus. The two travelers decide to join the dance but finally interrupt to ask for and receive, directions to Hades' home. At the [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) door of Hades, they (Dionysos still being disguised as Hercules) are greeted by Aeacus, the doorkeeper. Fearful, Dionysos exchanges clothes with Xanthias. After an altercation with a landlady over who exactly is who, the doorkeeper decides to let Hades and Persephone determine who is the god and who the servant. **Euripides v. Aeschylus** Later, Xanthias and a slave begin to talk. They overhear shouting coming from inside Hades' home. The slave tells him that there is trouble in Hades: > Well, there's a custom down here that applies to all the fine arts and skilled professions: whoever's the best in each discipline has the right to his dinner in the [Great Hall](https://www.worldhistory.org/Great_Hall/) with his own chair of honor? (164). Xanthias learns that Aeschylus had the chair but now Euripides has challenged him for it. It seems he appealed to all the cut-throats and murderers for support. So, Hades decided to have a contest between Euripides and Aeschylus - Sophocles had renounced any claim. Scales are soon brought in: “…. It's all got to be measured properly, with rulers, yardsticks, compasses, and wedges, and god knows what else” (165). When Xanthias inquired about the judge of the contest, the slave said it would be difficult to find someone clever enough in Hades, and Aeschylus didn't see eye to eye with any Athenians. [ ![Aeschylus](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/4335.jpg?v=1774411884) Aeschylus Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4335/aeschylus/ "Aeschylus")The contest begins with Euripides' verbal assaults on Aeschylus: > I saw through him years ago, All that rugged grandeur —- it's all so uncultivated and unrestrained. No subtlety whatsoever. Just a torrent of verbiage… (166) Aeschylus responds that his plays have lived on while Euripides' died with him. Throughout the contest, the two poets make references to their plays. Euripides says, “I wrote about everyday things, things the audience know about and could take up on if necessary. I didn't try to bludgeon them into submission with long words” (171). He believed he added logic to his drama. Aeschylus says that it pained him to have to answer verbal attacks but in frustration, he finally asks Euripedes what qualities does one look for in a good poet. The reply: to teach people to be better citizens. Aeschylus responded: > My heroes weren't like these marketplace loafers, delinquents and rogues they write about nowadays. They were real heroes, breathing spears and lances… (172) **Aeschylus the Winner** Finally, Aeschylus grows tired of the contest and asks for the test of the scales. Dionysos looks at both men: > I came down here for a poet. What for? To save a city, of course! Otherwise there won't be any more drama festivals - and then where would I be?...I'll judge between you on this score alone. I shall select the man my soul desires. (188) In the end, Dionysos chooses Aeschylus. Of course, feeling betrayed, Euripides calls him a traitor: “You leave me here to stay deceased” (189). As they leave the palace Hades bids Aeschylus goodbye and advises him to “educate the fools” (189). Aeschylus walks away, telling Hades to keep that lying foul-mouthed rogue out of his chair. ### Legacy Aristophanes was the last of the great playwrights of Old Attic Comedy. His acerbic wit can even be seen in [Plato](https://www.worldhistory.org/plato/)'s *[Symposium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Symposium/)* where he discusses the origin of the species of man. One unique aspect of *The Frogs* concerns the tragedian Sophocles who died during the [writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) of the play. Aristophanes was forced to make several quick changes. Like his contemporaries, Aristophanes used his plays to critique Athenian society: its political unrest and involvement in the war against Sparta. In his book *The Classical Greeks*, Michael Grant says that Aristophanes wrote *The Frogs* during a time when military and political power in the city was on the verge of collapse. In an attempt to escape the world he sends Dionysos to Hades. He adds that his plays contain assaults on Athenian political figures but also a plea for peace. Although often criticized for their bawdiness and risqué tone, Aristophanes plays were popular among the Athenian audiences. His plays remained appreciated and admired for years after his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), influenced [Hellenistic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hellenic_World/) and [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) comedy, and are still regularly performed today. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - Anonymous. *Aristophanes.* Encyclopedia Britannica - Anonymous. *The Dialogues of Plato.* Bantam Books, 1986 - [Anonymous. *The Oxford History of the Classical World.* Oxford University Press, 1986.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0198721129/) - [Aristophanes. *Frogs and Other Plays.* Penguin Classics, 2018.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B01NANDAOP/) - [Cantor, N.F. *Antiquity.* Harper Perennial, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0060930985/) - [Grant, M. *The Classical Greeks.* Scribner, 1989.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0684191261/) - [Hamilton, E. *The Greek Way.* W. W. Norton & Company, 2017.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/039335444X/) - [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/) - [Martin, T.R. *Ancient Greece.* Yale University Press, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300160054/) - [Moses (editor) Hadas. *Greek Drama.* Bantam Books, 1965.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000NY1OCG/) ## About the Author Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students. ## Timeline - **405 BCE**: [The Frogs](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Frogs/) by [Aristophanes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aristophanes/) is first performed. ## Cite This Work ### APA Wasson, D. L. (2018, February 28). The Frogs. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/The\_Frogs/](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Frogs/) ### Chicago Wasson, Donald L.. "The Frogs." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 28, 2018. [https://www.worldhistory.org/The\_Frogs/](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Frogs/). ### MLA Wasson, Donald L.. "The Frogs." *World History Encyclopedia*, 28 Feb 2018, [https://www.worldhistory.org/The\_Frogs/](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Frogs/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 28 February 2018. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. 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