Strepsiades, a debt-ridden Athenian farmer, attempts to escape his financial ruin by enrolling his son in the school of Socrates to learn the art of dishonest rhetoric. The protagonist seeks to master the 'Unjust Argument' to manipulate the legal system and evade his creditors, pitting himself against the traditional values of Athenian society. The narrative unfolds through the structure of Old Comedy, utilizing a blend of slapstick, biting social satire, and choral interludes. The world is defined by the tension between the intellectual revolution of the Sophists and the conservative agrarian lifestyle of the Athenian citizenry.

Readers and scholars frequently highlight the play as a significant artifact of the intellectual climate in ancient Athens. Discussion often centers on the unfair caricature of Socrates, which serves as a focal point for debates regarding the role of comedy in public discourse. Critics often analyze the pacing of the play, noting how the transition from the school scenes to the final confrontation maintains a sharp, satirical edge. The work remains a primary subject for those interested in the history of Western drama and the evolution of comedic structure. Many observers note that the play provides a window into the anxieties of a society grappling with rapid cultural change.