1. Comic Relief: The play is a comedy, and these jabs provide humor for the audience. The characters are both witty and irreverent, and their comments about the shortcomings of other playwrights are often exaggerated and absurd.
2. Satire: The play is also a satire, and the criticisms of other playwrights serve to highlight the weaknesses and shortcomings of Athenian society. Aristophanes uses the characters to mock the political, social, and artistic trends of his time. For example, the criticism of Euripides's tragic plays reflects the broader criticism of the Athenian intellectual elite for prioritizing intellectualism over moral clarity and traditional values.
3. Character Development: The constant bickering and disagreements between Xanthias and Dionysus reveal their contrasting personalities. Dionysus, the god of theatre, is a pretentious and elitist figure, while Xanthias, the slave, is a more down-to-earth and practical individual. Their arguments about the merits of different playwrights contribute to the development of their characters.
4. Establishment of Context: The play is a competition between the great tragic playwrights Aeschylus and Euripides. By making comments about other playwrights, Xanthias and Dionysus establish a literary landscape for the audience, framing the contest as a competition for the title of "greatest playwright" in a broader sense.
5. Audience Involvement: The criticisms of other playwrights are designed to engage the audience's own understanding of the literary world. Aristophanes appeals to the audience's knowledge of contemporary playwrights and their work, inviting them to participate in the debate about the merits of different styles and themes.
In summary, the comments about other playwrights in *The Frogs* serve a multitude of purposes, contributing to the play's humor, satire, character development, and audience engagement. Through these criticisms, Aristophanes cleverly critiques Athenian society and its artistic values, inviting the audience to participate in a lively and thought-provoking conversation about the nature of theatre and its role in society.