In some Greek mythology, Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Demeter. They also evoke Iacchus, which is another name for Dionysus, and ask him to come with them to the goddess. Here the chorus moves in their procession, carrying out their sacred rites and worshipping the goddess Demeter. This quote is found in the part of the text that contains the Eleusinan Mysteries (see Additional Content). Frogs is filled with allusions to Greek mythology and the writing of the Greek comedians and tragedians while it might take a modern reader a great deal of sifting through footnotes to illuminate all of the references, the contemporary viewer of the play would be conversant in all of the allusions.Įxalted Iacchus, inventor of most enjoyable / festive song, come and march along with us / to the goddess. His name means "of keen gaze," which is possibly a synonym for death.
He is often depicted as an old man, usually haggard, brusque and irritable in demeanor. Charon's job, according to the myths, was to ferry newly deceased souls across Styx and Acheron to Hades. Charon is a figure commonly known to students of Greek mythology, especially those who know of Heracles's journeys. His passage in the rowboat with Charon, and his paying his fee, is his entry into the liminal space of the river Styx that takes him to Hades. In Dionysus's journey, he has to cross over from one realm to the next, where he will encounter numerous obstacles and creatures both helpful and harmful. The overall point of Frogs is that Aeschylus's words should be turned to in this time of need, as they offer wise counsel.Īn ancient mariner will ferry you across / in a skiff no bigger than this, for a fare of two obols. This is the bold and provocative Aristophanes speaking through his protagonist, identifying his peers as insipid and fame-hungry, aware that there are no "potent" poets left whose verse can inspire and instruct. Dionysus believes that a poet of Euripides's stature (he, of course, changes to Aeschylus, but the idea is the same) will help Athens, but that he must descend into Hades to find such a poet since everyone living today is, in Dionysus's damning words, "cast-offs and merely empty chatter, / choirs of swallows, wreckers of their art, / who maybe get a chorus and are soon forgotten, / after having a single piss upon Tragedy" (28). In this statement Dionysus encapsulates one of the major archetypes of the text - the journey - and one of its major themes - Athens's need for a real poet to help them regain their former glory and power. Or make a toad house for your backyard.Ĥ. Spread the Word: These flyers, photos and social media tools can help spread the word about frogs.I need a talented poet, / 'for some are gone, and those that live are bad.' Dionysus, 27 The good news is that there are plenty of ways you and your family can help:ġ. Make Frog Art: Have your children enter the Save the Frogs art, poetry or essay contests.Ģ. Educate Yourself: Find out what the 10 most threatened frogs in the United States are, get some cool frog facts, and read why frogs are so important to the Earth’s ecosystems and to humans.ģ. Get Active: Find 7 simple ways you can save the frogs, by changing your behavior. Today is Save the Frogs Day-share your love of frogs with the rest of the world.ĭid you know that nearly one-third of the world’s amphibian species are threatened with extinction? And for you old-school Looney Toon fans, there’s Michigan J. Why? Kids love frogs. Think about it: Kermit. You’ll notice that frogs are a VERY popular decoration on everything from baby pajamas to toothbrushes. The next time you visit a children’s clothing or toy store, do a little wildlife watching.
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