The Birds (play)

Tags: Play.

The Birds (Greek: Ὄρνιθες Ornithes) is a comedy by the Ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes. It was performed in 414 BC at the City Dionysia where it won second prize. It has been acclaimed by modern critics as a perfectly realized fantasy remarkable for its mimicry of birds and for the gaiety of its songs.

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author

Aristophanes

character in play

Silent roles, *1st messenger (a bird), *2nd messenger (a bird), *3rd messenger (a bird), *A priest (masked as a bird), *A ragged poet, *A rebellious youth, *A statute seller, *An informer, *An inspector, *An oracle man, *Attendants as required, *Cinesias famous poet, *Euelpides citizen of Athens, *God of the Triballians, *Heavenly herald, *Heracles divine protector of mankind, *Hoopoe formerly Tereus an Athenian prince, *Iris daughter of Zeus, *Manes slave to Pisthetaerus, *Meton famous mathematician, *Nightingale formerly Procne (flute player), *Pisthetaerus citizen of Athens, *Poseidon god of the sea, *Prometheus titan and friend to Man, *Raven piper, *Sovereignty beauteous maid, *The Footbird servant to the Hoopoe, *Xanthias slave to Pisthetaerus, *Bird dancers (flamingo cock 2nd Hoopoe Gobbler)

chorus character in play

Birds: partridge francolin mallard kingfisher sparrow owl jay turtledove crested lark reed warbler wheatear pigeon merlin sparrowhawk ringdove cuckoo stock dove firecrest rail kestrel dabchick waxwing vulture woodpecker

setting of play

A hillside wilderness outside the Hoopoe's nest