Burdened by his son’s expensive habit of betting on horse races, Strepsiades enrolls in a school for charlatans run by the philosopher Socrates. Deemed too old, Pheidippides takes his father’s place to learn how to become the best orator in Ancient Greece and talk his way out of trouble. Accompanied by patron goddesses dressed as clouds, the pair scheme to convince their creditors to forgive the son’s mounting debts.

One of eleven plays to survive to the present day, the caricature of Socrates in The Clouds was specifically called out by Plato as a contributing factor in the old philosopher’s trial. Aristophanes’ use of cutting wit and a well-timed fart joke make this play one of the best-loved works of the famed comic playwright.

Kobo Editions offers this fully-accessible version of the original text for your enjoyment.