Peace

• War-Weary Farmer: Trygaeus, a weary Athenian farmer tired of the Peloponnesian War, hatches a fantastical plan. He decides to fly to Mount Olympus on a giant dung beetle to find Peace, who has been imprisoned by War.
• Obstacles and Allies: On his journey, Trygaeus encounters various challenges, including belligerent birds and belligerent gods. He eventually teams up with a chorus of farmers who share his desire for peace.
• Freeing Peace: With the help of the farmers, Trygaeus manages to free Peace, along with two goddesses who represent good things that come with peace: Opora (the goddess of harvest) and Eortè (the goddess of festivals).
• Celebrating Peace: The play ends with a joyous celebration of peace. The farmers and the goddesses sing and dance, and Trygaeus even gets married to Opora, symbolizing the return of fertility and prosperity.
• Satire of Warmongers: Throughout the play, Aristophanes uses satire to ridicule those who benefit from war, such as arms dealers and politicians who advocate for continued conflict.

Characters:

• Trygaeus: The protagonist, a witty and determined farmer who longs for peace.
• Chorus of Farmers: Represent the Athenian people who suffer from the war and yearn for peace.
• Peace (Eirene): The goddess of peace, who has been imprisoned by War.
• Opora: The goddess of harvest, symbolizing the bounty that comes with peace.
• Eortè: The goddess of festivals, symbolizing the joy and celebrations that accompany peace.
• War (Polemos): The antagonist, a belligerent god who thrives on conflict.
• Hermès: The messenger god, who helps Trygaeus on his journey.

Themes:

• Anti-War Sentiment: The central theme is the devastating impact of war and the longing for peace.
• Desire for Prosperity: The play highlights the connection between peace and a life of abundance, with themes of harvest and festivals.
• Satire of Warmongers: Aristophanes criticizes those who profit from war and those who advocate for continued conflict.
• Importance of Community: The play emphasizes the power of collective action and the shared desire for peace among the common people.
• Fantastical Elements: The use of a giant dung beetle and the journey to Mount Olympus add a layer of fantasy and humor.

Importance:

• Historical Context: Written just months before the Peace of Nicias, the play captures the growing anti-war sentiment in Athens at the time.
• Enduring Themes: The play's themes of war's devastation, the yearning for peace, and the importance of community remain relevant even today.
• Satirical Wit: Aristophanes' clever use of satire critiques societal issues and entertains audiences.

Limitations:

• Fantasy and Farce: The fantastical elements and slapstick humor might not be for everyone.
• Limited Perspective: The play focuses on the experiences of Athenian farmers and might not consider the war's impact on all social classes or the enemy's perspective.

Overall, Peace by Aristophanes is a hilarious and insightful comedy that uses humor and satire to advocate for peace and criticize the destructive nature of war.