'Peace' Summary

In Aristophanes's *Peace*, the play opens with Trygaeus, a frustrated Athenian farmer, yearning for an end to the Peloponnesian War. Desperate for peace, he decides to travel to Mount Olympus to confront Zeus, the King of the Gods, and demand an end to the conflict. To reach the heavens, Trygaeus utilizes a giant dung-beetle as a mount, embarking on a whimsical and absurd journey. Upon arrival, Trygaeus discovers that the Gods have abandoned Olympus, leaving only the God of War, who is busy pounding up Greek states in a giant mortar. Driven by his desire for peace, Trygaeus learns that the Goddess of Peace has been imprisoned in a pit, and rallies the Greek people to unite and rescue her. With their combined efforts, they successfully free Peace and restore her to her rightful place, bringing an end to the war and ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity. The play culminates in a joyous celebration of peace, where Trygaeus even finds love with Opora, the handmaiden of Peace. Throughout the play, Aristophanes satirizes the Athenian political scene, particularly through his portrayal of Cleon, a powerful demagogue, and his criticisms of the war's devastating impact on Athenian society. *Peace* serves as a powerful plea for peace and a testament to the resilience and hope that can flourish even amidst times of conflict.