'The Clouds' is a comedic attack on the qualities of virtue and excellence, as espoused by Sophist philosophers. The central figure, Strepsiades, enrols his dissolute son, Pheidippides, into 'The Thinkery', run by none other than the famous philosopher, Socrates. However, Pheidippides' training takes an unexpected turn and Strepsaides lays the blame firmly at Socrates' feet. Although many of the jokes are of their time, the themes running through this play are timeless.