Nefeles (The Clouds) is an ancient Greek comedy written by Aristophanes. The play was produced in March 423 BCE in Athens and it was performed at the Great Dionysia festival. In fact, during the 5th century, Athenian Comedy was performed during those festivals in honour of God Dionysus - the god of wine and theatre. (Columbia College).
The play satirises Socrates - the Anthenian thinker and teacher, in order to "attack" modern education and the morals passed on to young people by the Sophists (Britannica). Aristophanes believed that the Sophists' new ideas were challenging society's values and therefore resulting in the decline of democracy (National Theater of Greece).
The story emphasises on old Strepsiades who faces financial problems and debt. He has been lent money in order to support his son and wife, however the lenders demand their money back by pursuing him. Through this chaos, Strepsiades enrolls in Socrates school in order to study rhetoric and sophistry in order to be able to defend himself (National Theater of Greece). Socrates' academy aims in turning wrong arguments into right (Britannica). However, he will soon be expelled and ask his son (Philippides) to join. His son originally declines, however he eventually agrees, a decision that will cost his father dearly (National Theater of Greece).
Aristophane's Nefeles was awarded the third prize at the Great Dionysia festival (Columbia College) and is considered modern in the context of its social and political perspectives which parallels with today's society (National Theater of Greece).
2023
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