Frogs

Acts

• Prologue

  Dionysus, disgusted by contemporary tragedy, decides to descend to Hades to bring Euripides back. He dresses in Heracles' lion skin.

  Not yet imported
• Parodos

  Dionysus crosses the lake of the dead. The chorus of frogs sings Brekekekex koax koax.

  419 lines
• First Episode

  At Hades' gate, Dionysus and Xanthias swap the Heracles costume depending on whether the reception seems welcoming or hostile.

  140 lines
• First Parabasis

  The chorus addresses the audience on political matters and argues for the restoration of citizens' rights.

  280 lines
• Second Episode

  A contest is underway in Hades: Aeschylus holds the Chair of Tragedy but Euripides is challenging him. Dionysus judges.

  59 lines
• Second Stasimon

  The chorus anticipates the literary battle. Aeschylus: grand. Euripides: clever.

  94 lines
• The Contest Begins

  Euripides attacks Aeschylus's bombastic style. Aeschylus counters: his characters were heroes, not pimps and beggars.

  16 lines
• Prologues

  Each poet recites his prologues. Aeschylus demolishes Euripides with "lost his little bottle of oil."

  67 lines
• Choral Odes

  Each poet's lyrics are parodied. The mutual mockery is devastating.

  234 lines
• The Weighing

  Individual verses are weighed on a scale. Aeschylus's heavy, martial lines outweigh Euripides's every time.

  20 lines
• The Political Test

  Each poet advises on saving Athens. Aeschylus is direct: trust the fleet, distrust the politicians.

  415 lines
• The Decision

  Dionysus chooses Aeschylus. Euripides is furious. "My tongue swore, but my heart did not."

  18 lines
• Exodos

  Aeschylus rises from the dead. He assigns his chair to Sophocles — not Euripides.

  34 lines