Symbol for degradation
Strepsiades describes himself as a simple man, someone who was born in the country and who wanted nothing more than have a happy and quiet life. Everything changed for him when he felt in love with a woman from the city and married her. From that point on, Strepsiades’s life was characterized by pain and troubles. Strepsiades attributes these problems to the life the people have in the city. The place where he lives is described as degrading, having power over a person’s soul and actions. The city is also the place where every sin takes place and where honor and restraint no longer exist. Because of this, we can assume that the city is used here as a symbol for degradation.
Learn from nature
After Strepsiades’s son refuses to join the school of thought his father wanted him to join, Strepsiades decides he will become a disciple himself if his son does not wish to become one. When he arrived at the school, he was welcomed by a Disciple who started explaining the way through which Socrates learned everything he knows. The source of his knowledge is presented as being, time and time again, the nature around him and the animals and being surrounding him. This becomes a common motif in the play and this idea is repeated time and time again.
Connection between mountains and clouds
Another common motif in the play is the connection which exists between clouds and the top of the mountain. When Socrates invokes the clouds, he calls them to come from the top of the mountains and settle themselves over the people on earth. This connection is important because both the mountains and the clouds are used in this play as metaphors. This connection remains a common motif throughout the play and is mentioned time and time again.
Walking barefoot
Another common motif found in the play is the description of Socrates and his followers as walking barefoot. This is a common characteristic found in those who follow Socrates and every time a person who walks barefoot is mentioned, the general idea transmitted is that the person is question follows Socrates and his teachings.
Bodily functions
Another common motif found in the play is the references made by the characters regarding various bodily functions. After hearing Socrates pray for example, Strepsiades mentions how he needs to defecate. When Strepsiades talks about rain, he describes it as being the result of Zeus urinating from the sky while Socrates describes it as being the resulting sweat dripping from the bodies of the Clouds transformed into women.
