44 pages 1 hour read

Aristophanes

The Clouds

Fiction | Play | Adult | BCE

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Clouds, Strepsiades, burdened by his son Pheidippides' debts, enrolls himself in Socrates' school, the Thinkery, to learn sophistry and evade his creditors. After struggling with the studies, Strepsiades forces Pheidippides to join, succeeding in outsmarting the creditors but facing unforeseen consequences when his son adopts violent tendencies, leading to a climactic confrontation. Coarse sexual humor and language, including an offensive anti-gay slur, are present in the text.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Aristophanes' The Clouds receives mixed reviews for its biting satire of Athenian society and intellectuals, particularly Socrates. Critics praise its clever humor and insightful critique. However, some argue that the humor does not always translate well to modern audiences, and its dense language can be challenging. Overall, it's lauded for its historical significance and wit.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Clouds?

Potential readers of The Clouds by Aristophanes are those who appreciate classical Greek literature, satire, and critiques of philosophical thought. Similar to fans of Plato's Republic or Juvenal's Satires, they enjoy intellectual humor and the exploration of character flaws and societal issues through comedic dialogue.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Play: Drama

Play: Comedy / Satire

Period

Ancient Greece

Topics

Philosophy

Religion / Spirituality

Themes

Society: Education

Values/Ideas: Good & Evil

Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice