A summary of the play "The Clouds" by Aristophanes | Miming act

Summary

In this Athenian comedy set in 423 BCE, middle-aged man Strepsiades enrolls in Socrates' school, the Thinkery, to escape his debts and teach his son Phidippides to win arguments. Phidippides learns rhetoric, but his new skills lead to chaos when he argues against paying his father's debts. This causes a rift between father and son, with Phidippides justifying his actions by claiming his father abused him as a child. The play ends with Strepsiades burning the Thinkery, blaming the gods and Socrates for his misfortunes.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The story is set in Athens, Greece during 423 BCE, featuring a middle-aged man named Strepsiades and his son Pheidippides.
• 💤 Strepsiades is initially worried about his financial troubles caused by his son's expensive horse racing hobby.
• 📚 Strepsiades is convinced that sending Pheidippides to a school led by Socrates will help him win arguments and solve his financial issues.
• 🌩️ The school is called 'The Thinkery' and is associated with the goddesses called 'The Clouds', who can take any form and reveal people's true nature.
• 📖 Socrates agrees to teach Strepsiades how to argue his way out of debt, but not without first removing his outer garments as a sign of commitment.
• 🌙 Pheidippides devises a plan to avoid paying debts by preventing the new moon from rising, thus extending the old moon's day.
• 🗣️ An argument between 'The Better Argument' and 'The Worst Argument' is presented, with the latter promoting self-indulgence over self-control.
• 💸 Strepsiades uses his son's argument in court to avoid paying his creditors, but they are not convinced and demand their money.
• 👨‍👦 Pheidippides justifies hitting his father, claiming that if his father abused him as a child, he can now abuse him back.
• 🔥 Strepsiades, feeling betrayed, burns down The Thinkery, believing it was instructed by the god Hermes.
• 🏃‍♂️ Socrates is chased away by Strepsiades, ending the story with a warning about the consequences of abandoning traditional values.

Q & A

Who is the main character in the script?

The main character is Strepsiades, a middle-aged Athenian man.

What is Strepsiades' main concern at the beginning of the script?

Strepsiades is worried about his financial problems caused by his son Phidipides' costly horse racing habit.

What solution does Strepsiades propose to avoid paying his debts?

Strepsiades suggests keeping the moon from rising to prevent the new month from starting, thus avoiding the deadline for paying his debts.

Who is the philosopher that Strepsiades turns to for help?

Strepsiades turns to Socrates, the philosopher who heads the Thinkery, for help.

What does Socrates teach Strepsiades and Phidipides about the nature of the 'Clouds'?

Socrates explains that the 'Clouds' can become anything they wish and expose people for who they really are.

What is the conflict between the 'Better Argument' and the 'Worst Argument'?

The 'Better Argument' defends justice and self-control, while the 'Worst Argument' claims that justice does not exist and promotes self-indulgence and pleasure.

How does Phidipides use his new skills to help his father avoid paying his debts?

Phidipides uses the argument about the old moon and the new moon to claim that the creditors are trying to extend one day into two, thus deceiving debtors.

What is the reaction of Strepsiades' creditors to his son's argument?

The creditors are unimpressed by Phidipides' argument and demand their money, promising to return if they don't get paid.

What drastic action does Strepsiades take against the Thinkery after his son's failure to help him?

Strepsiades sets fire to the Thinkery building, believing that a statue of Hermes instructed him to do so.

How does the script end for Strepsiades and Socrates?

The script ends with Strepsiades chasing Socrates off stage, indicating that Strepsiades blames Socrates for his problems.

What moral dilemma does Phidipides face regarding his treatment of his parents?

Phidipides justifies hitting his father, claiming that his father abused him as a child, and even suggests that hitting his mother is acceptable.