Clouds- A Comedy by Aristophenes-First Produced 423 B.C.E.- translated by Aaron Poochigian- 2021

 Clouds- A Comedy by Aristophenes-First Produced 423 B.C.E.- translated by Aaron Poochigian- 2021 

An Ancient Reads Work.

Aristophanes, (born c. 450 BCE—died c. 388 BCE), 

Emily Wilson's Review of Aaron Poochigian Collection of four comedies by Aristophenes- A Marvelous Introduction to the Comedies of Aristophenes - at Emilyrcwilson.com

This is the fourth comedy by Aristophenes I have so read. Prior to this I have posted on Lysistrata, his most famous work, Birds and Women of the Assembly. These works are included in Aaron Poochigan's collection.

In his introduction Poochigan says that Clouds, unlike the other three plays focuses on one person and his attempt to improve his financial situation. (But similarly to Lysistrata and Women of the Assembly, strap on dildos are a big factor. Here is my suggestion for a Dissertation- "Dildos in Classical Drama").

Characters 

Socrates, the philosopher who runs The Thinkery[9]

Strepsiades, student who joins The Thinkery

Pheidippides, his son

Chaerephon, disciple of Socrates

The Clouds, who form the chorus

Chorus Leader

Slave

Students

First Student

Wrong Argument

Right Argument

First Creditor

Second Creditor

Witness

Xanthias

As the play opens Strepsiades is in bed but he cannot sleep because he is very stressed by the debts he has run up to support son's, Pheidippides betting on horse races. Strepsiades tells the audience that his wife, from a wealthy clan, encourages the son Pheidippides in his interest in horses as it is regarded as a hobby for aristocrats. Strepsiades's creditors keep adding on interest and are now threatening to sue him which could cause him to lose all he owns.  

Strepsiades tries to get his son to enroll in an academy run by Socrates, The Thinkery, in which young men are taught to win arguments. When his spoiled son refuses he enrolls himself even though he is way older than the other students. It seems that the students are expected to allow their instructors to work them over with strepon dildos. All Strepsiades wants to do is learn how to refute the true claims of his creditors when he appears in court.

Wikipedia has a decent article laying out the plot. Strepsiades learns of the absurd doctrines taught at the school. Clouds is a savage attack on the perceived by Aristophenes decay of Athenian morality caused by Socrates.