Summary:
Pisthetaerus and his traveling companion Euelpides decide that they have had enough of the corruption (بدعنوانی) and heavy taxes (ٹیکس) of Athens. Desiring a life free from the burdens (بوجھ) of city life, they set out in search of a new home. Each man chooses to follow a bird that they believe will lead them to a promised land. However, the birds soon fly away, leaving the men stranded in an unknown area.
In their quest, Pisthetaerus and Euelpides encounter a large and intimidating bird named Trochilus. Trochilus, who acts as a servant (نوکر) to Epops, introduces them to Epops—a man who was once human but has been transformed (تبدیلی) into a bird, now known as a Hoopoe. Pisthetaerus explains to Epops that they are looking for a place without oppressive taxes and with an abundance of food. Seizing the moment, Pisthetaerus suggests an extraordinary plan: to collaborate with the birds and construct a city in the sky. He proposes that this city will exist in a space between the gods and humans on Earth, allowing them to control both realms. To achieve this, he exaggerates (مبالغہ آرائی) and fabricates (جعلی) stories about the birds’ ancient lineage and their connection to the gods, convincing them that they are the true deities.
Analysis:
This first part of the narrative lays the groundwork for why Pisthetaerus and Euelpides choose to abandon Athens. Aristophanes wastes no time in satirizing (طنز) the hypocrisy (نفاق) of human society. The decision to leave Athens stems from a deep discontent with the corruption among the aristocracy (شہنشاہی) and elected officials, as well as the burdens imposed by high taxes. Yet, the idea of building a city in the sky seems to contradict their initial desire for a life of peace, free from the madness of city life.
Pisthetaerus’s proposal to form a bird city is marked by a striking irony: he seeks to establish a society that wields power over both gods and mortals by relying on deception. His lies about the birds’ heritage are the very embodiment of the hypocrisy he despised in Athens. In convincing Epops and the birds to support his plan, Pisthetaerus reveals his willingness to adopt the corrupt, manipulative tactics he originally fled from. This contradiction serves as a powerful critique of the political and moral decay of his home city.
Related Questions
✅Biography of Aristophanes
✅ Overview
✅Key Facts, Historical Context, and Related Books
> The Encounter With the Birds
