This play has within it the revelation of vanity, morality, law, nature and religion all wrapped in a comedic tone. The protagonist of the play, Peisetaerus leads his friend Euelpides away from Athens as the constant arguing over the law has disallowed them from living the life they want. Thus, they begin their own religion by creating the new gods, the birds for man to worship. What becomes quite comical is when Peisetaerus attempts to perform the religious ceremonies to the birds. Here the religious sacrifices are interrupted constantly by messengers, men and finally a god, Prometheus who in his infinite mischief wants nothing more than for man to have the power over Zeus.
The play deals with the question as to whether one forming his own religion actually creates a better life, or does it simply create a loophole for others with questionable morals to squeeze through so that they can do devious things without repercussions? Aristophanes also deals with man's need to have desire in their life, seemingly a foremost right perpetrated by the Greeks that without it we would be lost. But, at the same time the allowing for desire to be the driving force leads simply to a grotesque version of society which praises lustful acts.
In the end, Peisetaerus is able to gain Zeus's power, both of war (his scepter) and of sovereignty (his princess). These are the two things that man seeks, to be able to love and destroy with the greatest of power. Now possessing these two, Peisetaerus has brought the gods down to the level of mere mortals and man has been elevated as they now take the pleasure of stealing from the gods as the gods have taken from man.
