- Better Argument and Worse Argument begin by, well, arguing. They don't seem to get along, and they fight over who is going to end up having influence over Pheidippides. They're basically like warring angels and devils on P's shoulders.
- Then we move into the "Agon," which is the part of the play with a formal debate. The Chorus introduces this war of wits between the Better and Worse Arguments, inviting them basically to describe what makes them them. The arguments oblige, and then after they've each made their case for their form of argumentation/rhetoric, they argue and trade barbs. At the end, Better Argument claims to be "beaten" and deserts his camp for Worse Argument's side, heading into the school.
- Having won, Worse Argument asks Strepsiades what he wants done with his son. He promises to turn him into a "seasoned sophist."
- Now we get the second parabasis, which addresses the judges (among the audience, that is) that would be ranking the plays being presented for a prize. Yup, that means they're breaking the fourth wall again. The Chorus makes promises to these judges (like, to rain on their crops, if the judges are nice… or destroy their property, if they aren't).