The Frogs

by

Aristophanes

Initiate-Chorus Character Analysis

On their way to Hades, Dionysus and Xanthias encounter a group of Initiates engaged in a sacrificial feast and procession to honor “Iacchus” (a deity associated with Dionysus). The Initiates perform the parodos that comprises the play’s main choral interlude. Per Heracles’s suggestion, Dionysus asks the Initiates for directions to Pluto’s palace, which they give him.
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Initiate-Chorus Character Timeline in The Frogs

The timeline below shows where the character Initiate-Chorus appears in The Frogs. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 1
Old vs. New  Theme Icon
The Value of Art  Theme Icon
Critique of Athenian Democracy  Theme Icon
...people holding torches and chanting “Iacchus, Iacchus!” Xanthias guesses that these are the Initiates (the Initiate-Chorus) that Heracles mentioned. Still hidden, Heracles and Xanthias watch the initiates sing, dance, and praise... (full context)
Old vs. New  Theme Icon
Appearance vs. Reality  Theme Icon
After the feast, the Initiate-Chorus sings and dances to honor Persephone, Demeter, and Iacchus. Meanwhile, Dionysus and Xanthias see all... (full context)