How we cite our quotes: Line
Quote #4
And I won't take this setback lying down. / I'll say a little prayer and go myself / to the Thinkery to get an education. / But how's an old man like me, forgetful and dense, / to learn precise, hair-splitting arguments? (126-130)
When his son refuses to help out, Strepsiades decides that he will go to the Thinkery to learn what he needs to know. However, he's not super optimistic that he'll be able to retain all the lessons he's about to learn.
Quote #5
Go on, don't worry; the man you see before you / has come to the Thinkery to be a pupil too. (141-142)
When Strepsiades gets to the Thinkery, he meets a pupil who starts to give him the lay of the land. The pupil is reluctant to go too far into detail about what goes on at the Thinkery (which suggests it's more like a cult than a school), but Strepsiades assures him he's there to join up, so the dude becomes more open.
Quote #6
Open up the Thinkery, and make it quick; / I want to see Socrates as soon as possible. / I yearn to learn. Come on now, open up! / Good God, what kind of creatures have we here? (181-184)
Strepsiades is super eager to get started with his lessons; it seems that greed is quite the motivator. As he's demanding that the student let him in, he comes across some students staring at the ground with their rumps in the air. Hmm, just what are they teaching at this Thinkery place? Is this a yoga class?