The Frogs, Part 1 Summary

The Frogs opens with the god of theater Dionysus and his slave Xanthias wondering along the road. Xanthias asks his master how they should open the play, that is, what joke they should use. Dionysus answers that he may use any joke that he like so long as it is, in some sense, in good taste. Xanthias then complains about the burden he is carrying and how sore it is making his shoulders. Dionysus then asks Xanthias how he can be carrying a burden while a donkey is carrying him. Xanthias and Dionysus then wonder if it would be better for him to carry the donkey instead but Xanthias assumes that this would only makes matters worse. The continue riding, apparently without opening the play with any joke at all.

Eventually Dionysus tells Xanthias to dismount because they have...