In viewing the Platonic dialogues and Aristophanes’ comedy Clouds, we are presented with two completely contrasting characterizations of Socrates. In the Platonic dialogues as written by Plato, Socrates is wise, reverent, loyal to the state, and the ideal citizen of Athens. He is a wise teacher of youth seeking virtue, knowledge, and wisdom. He is the repository of virtue, justice, and philosophical wisdom (aware of the good). In Aristophanes’ Clouds, Socrates is presented in a much less glowing light. Under Aristophanes satirical pen, Socrates is characterized as a political subversive who is responsible for causing Athenian youth to reject civil morality in favor of contemplating nonsensical questions. Literally, then, Aristophanes is telling us that Socrates has his feet in the “clouds.”
The Clouds focuses on the story of an old man called Strepsiades. Because of his son’s gambling habit, Strepsiades is in debt and decides to attend Socrates’ Thinking Ship to figure out how he can use logic to thwart his creditors. All he finds the first day he attends is Socrates sitting in a suspended basket contemplating the sun. This has Strepsiades so confused, he decides to send his son, Phidippides, to school in his stead. In Aristophanes’ most censorious barb at Socrates, Strepsiades’ son quickly learns Socrates’ wisdom and uses it to justify morally the beating of his father. Throughout Clouds we are presented with Socrates in this less than flattering light because Aristophanes was a fan of Marathon’s Athens and not that of Socrates and rationalism. Philosophical speculation is nonsensical to Aristophanes who views Socrates as having his head and feet in the clouds. Jokes abound that undermine philosophical pursuit, such as when Strepsiades knocks on the door of the Thinking Shop and gets the following response from a Disciple of Socrates “You are a stupid fellow, by Jove! Who have kicked against the...