plot

Question 1

prologue

Answer 1

Dionysus and Xantheus embark on a journey to the underworld
Dionysus tells Heracles he wants to bring back Euripidies
a corpse refuses take their baggage so they are put in Charons boat to cross the marsh, Xantheus isn’t allowed in and so has to take the long way round
chorus of Frogs engage in a short singing contest with Dionysus as Charon makes him row across
Dionysus and Xantheus are reunited on the other side and encounter a change shaping monster (Empusa)

Question 2

parados

Answer 2

initiates of the Eleusinian Mysteries enter
they invoke Bacchus to come join them in their celebration consisting of dancing and burning torches
they sing a warning to those not initiated to keep clear

Question 3

episode 1

Answer 3

the doorman, Aeacus answers to Dionysus’ knocking
verbally attacks Dionysus
scares him straight after a maid comes out the palace
fancied Heracles on his previous visit and prepared a gourmet dinner and arranged girls to dance for him
chorus reflect on changes of plan in general
two women then emerged from the inn - enraged because Heracles had eaten an enormous amount of food on his previous
chorus encourage Xanthius who’s disguised as Dionysus
Aeacus returns with his thugs to punish Heracles
both beaten to see who’s telling the truth who is the slave

Question 4

parabasis

Answer 4

chorus give their views on topical issues

Question 5

episode 2

Answer 5

Xanthius chats to fellow slave about their respective masters and the fourth - coming contest
Aeschylus holds the throne of tragedy
Euripides calming the position
contest of poetry is held and Dionysus is the judge
chorus anticipate the appearance of Euripides and Aeschylus
they hurls insults at each other
Aeschylus swears by the traditional Olympian gods, Euripides swears by his own new gods
Euripides criticised the overblown writing style of Aeschylus and the way he treats his audience
praises his own clarity and focus’ on snails Aeschylus points out his characters are noble and good role models
teaches us useful things Euripides in contrast is given so many examples of unsuitable behaviour
chorus comment the contest is evenly matched