Subplot of The Frogs

In The Frogs, we come to learn that Heracles prefers Sophocles while Dionysus prefers Euripides. Heracles, according to Arisophanes, is the ideal citizen, preferring the noble, pious, and moral Sophocles. Dionysus, on the other hand is an art lover, who prefers the works of the sophistic Euripides. In the subplot, we again see these distinctions set forth during the debate between Euripides an Aeschylus in the underworld. Curiously, Aeschylus is never put forth as a candidate in the conversation between Heracles and Dionysus.