Who was Dionysus? What part did he play in The Frogs?

 

Ans. Aristophanes had faith in the traditional gods and goddesses of ancient Greece. He was specially devoted to three gods Apollo, Athene and Dionysus. He was the god of poetry and drama and that was why he was so close to him. He gained importance quite lake. His name was primarily associated with plants and trees, vegetation and fruits. He appeared as a benefactor of human beings. It was quite late that he shared with Apollo the glory of being the god of song, dance, poetry and drama. The Satyrs were known as his followers. Dionysus had his own domain of supremacy. Satyrs were half-human and half-animal.

 

In Greece festivals were held twice in honour of Dionysus-once in spring and another in winter. In spring, the festival was celebrated to welcome lush green nature. In winter another festival was celebrated for gathering fruits. Dionysus was also a god of peace, fertility and plenty.

 

Aristophanes assigned a prominent place for Dionysus in The Frogs to resolve the dispute between Aeschylus and Euripides. He was appointed the judge in settling the dispute. Dionysus gave his support to Aeschylus and declared him the winter. He became involved in the search of restoring values which were important to the civilization of Athens. Dionysus went in quest of Euripides, a fashionable dramatist of that me, but he accepted Aeschylus as a greater dramatist. Finally, Dionysus decided that Aeschylus should return to Athens because it was more important for the salvation of the state. Herein lies the importance of Dionysus.