“The Frogs” opens as Dionysus and Xanthias technically his slave, but possess a stronger, more reasonable, bolder personality than Dionysus. Dionysus and Xanthias bring forth a comical exchange of quarrels throughout the play each intertwined in the historical relevance of Athenian history.

Dionysus decides to take a journey to Hades to bring the great tragedic dramatist Euripides back from the dead. Dionysus is unsatisfied with the current Athenian tragedies that are being written. Dressed in Heracles attire with a lion head and carrying a Heracles style club, he goes forth to consult with Heracles himself to attain advice on how to get to Hades safety. Heracles who had visited Hades when he went to retrieve Cerberus knows the easiest way to get there. Heracles was baffled when Dionysus, appearing like a frail and weak version of Heracles, arrived at his door seeking answers. Heracles continues to patronize Dionysus and proposes comical options of hanging himself, drinking poison or jumping off a tower. In the end, Dionysus decides to take the longer expedition across the lake, the same route Heracles himself once took.

They arrive at the Acheron and the ferryman Charon ferries Dionysus across. Dionysus has to abandon Xanthias and have him walk around since he is a slave. During the voyage across the lake, a Chorus of moaning frogs joins them, and Dionysus annoyed ends up chanting along with them. As they reach the shore, Xanthias awaits his master. At this time, they are instantly confronted by Aeacus, one of the judges of the dead. Aeacus has a long-time grudge against Heracles and wants revenge because Heracle’s stole Cerberus. Mistaking Dionysus for Heracles due to his Heracles attire, Aeacus threatens to release beasts on him in revenge, and the weak Dionysus swiftly trades clothes with Xanthias so he wouldn’t be harmed.

A good-looking maid of Persephone appears happy to see Heracles, when in reality its Xanthius underneath the façade of Heracles lion skin outfit. She invites him to a feast with virgin dancing girls, in which Xanthias is more than happy to indulge in the festive activities. At this point Dionysus is sorry for trading places with Xanthias and now wants to trade back the clothes. As soon as he switches with Xanthias into the Heracles lion skin, he is encountered with more people that don’t have a liking for Heracles, and quickly forces Xanthias to trade a third time. When Aeacus returns once more, Xanthias suggests that he torture Dionysus to acquire the truth. He suggests quite a few brutal options. The petrified Dionysus instantly reveals the truth that he is a god, and can continue after a good whipping.

Dionysus finally finds Euripides who has recently died. At this point Euripides is challenging the great Aeschylus to the seat of “Best Tragic Poet” at the dinner table of Hades. Dionysus is selected to be the judge while the two playwrights take turns quoting verses from their plays and making fun of the other in comical and vulgar tones. Euripides argues the characters in his plays are better because they are closer to real-life characters with logical traits, whereas Aeschylus believes his idealized characters are better as they are heroic and virtuous. Aeschylus shows that Euripides verse is foreseeable and rigid, while Euripides counters by setting Aeschylus stanzas compared to flute music.

Towards the end of their debate both Euripides and Aeschylus have a tie. The two tragedians are requested to put forth their most significant lines, to see in whose favor the balance will tip. Aeschylus wins but Dionysus is being indecisive and can’t decide who he will take out of Hades.

At the conclusion of the play, Dionysus decides to bring back the poet who will save the city of Athens with their wisdom. As per Dionysus, Euripides is clear with his words but presents only empty solutions while Aeschylus delivers real-world advice.  Dionysus decides to take Aeschylus back to Athens instead of Euripides. Before departing Aeschylus declares that Sophocles ought to have his chair at the dinner table while he is gone, not Euripides.