The Clouds, a play by Aristophanes

Toga Time!

I know Plato would be wont to admit it, but, truth be told, not everyone in ancient Athens thought it's Philosophers were on the up and up. No, there was a sizable group of citizens that thought the famed philosophers of Classical Greece were basically a bunch of greedy, sweet talking swindlers. Pretty much, take every lawyers joke you ever heard, and simply swap out "lawyers" with "philosophers", and you'll get the drift.

Take Socrates, for example, who is considered one of the handful of philosophers who forever changed how philosophy itself was to be conceived. Still, almost everything we are taught about Socrates basically are Plato's written opinions of him. Hmmm, a bit of a one sided view, don't ya' think?

If you really want to understand a philosopher and his philosophy, you have to understand the social and historical context in which they wrote. So, I propose we re-enact the satirical play by Aristophanes, The Clouds. First performed in 423 BC, this play satirizes philosophers in general, but Socrates in particular.

So, get your togas, sandals, and beards ready! This performance, of course, will have no audience. Because all participating will get a chance to perform. Remember, it's a comedy. The hammier, the better.

The Clouds, a play by Aristophanes (read online)
The Clouds (Audiobook)
The Clouds (YouTube of a modern performance)