Frogs by Aristophanes

what does Aeschylus and Euripides represent

the old vs new

how did Aeschylus represent the old

through his use of strong heroes and focus on civic duty

How did Euripides represent the new

his focus on emotional complexity and shorter/ more lyrical verses

Xanthius’ humour

slapstick humour that was becoming more popular, it’s Aristophanes way of taking a jab at it

Dionysus clothes

another way for Arisophanes to mock the new flashy theatre clothes

how do we know that Aristophanes acknowledged that the old days weren’t perfect

by pointing out Aeschylus’ hypocrisy as well as his plays’ questionable morals

what does the ending show and mean

Aeschylus is chosen almost on whim, making audience’s weigh both the old and new

what do the differences between the two poets show

a shift in societies values, one focused on strength while the other fits a more questioning generation

how is Aeschylus presented in frogs

anti-intellectual whose writing is tedious and full of long pauses

how is Euripides shown

as a writer who liked to shock his audiences