can you explain the major themes in the play :the wasps" by Aristophanes?

On the surface level, The Wasps shows
the general theme of modern beliefs against traditional, or
old age against youth. At the same time, the play makes many contemporary references and
has themes connected to
politics of the time. Most notably, Aristophenes gives his
protagonist, Philocleon (literally 'love of Cleon'), a name similar to that of a
controversial public figure named Cleon who, although a victorious military leader of
the time, was accused by some of exploiting the legal
system.

The conflict in the comedy centers on an old man
and his son. At the beginning of the play, Philocleon, an elderly juror, has become so
addicted to being in court that it has severely affected his health. His son Bdelycleon
(or Anticleon) places his father under house arrest.  As his father
attempts variously to free himself, his behaviour might remind the audience of his
infamous namesake: he extols his love of being a juror, both for the influence it gives
him as well as the pay; and, at the end of the play, he becomes excessively drunk,
assaults other people in public, and causes general chaos when he attempts to talk his
way out legal action against him. Although the play does end with Philocleon redeeming
himself - his final enthusiastic dance with the chorus wins their approval - his actions
throughout highlight the serious theme of the
decline of Athenian morals, here linked to the misuse of the legal
system.

However, the basic
theme of modern and
traditional values connects to the plot in a complex way.
At the beginning of the play, Philocleon's young son Bdelycleon (or Anticleon) tries to
break his father of his habit. In his efforts, the son imprisons him at home, debates
with him about the merits and ills of the jury system, but finally agrees to show his
father a good time (after defeating him in a farce-trial about dogs and cheese). His
father, however, becomes excessively drunk and causes a public row.  In the end, he is
dragged home by his son, though he emerges moments later to dance with the chorus in the
final exodus. This conflict alone introduces the themes of
injustice towards the old, the injustice of
the modern courts, and the general
decline that accompanies old
age.

This should get you started thinking
about the themes; you will of course need to consult other sources. (Some are listed
below.)  Fortunately The Wasps is a very fun
and well written play, not far from a Monty Python
sketch.

Note especially the words of the chorus when
looking for evidence of themes. Here are a few quotes (out of context) to get you
started with various ways the chorus highlights the theme of old
age:

Is not
old age filled with cruel ills? What violence these two slaves offer to their old
master! They have forgotten all bygones, the fur-coats and the jackets and the caps he
bought for them; in winter he watched that their feet should not get frozen. And only
see them now; there is no gentleness in their look nor any recollection of the slippers
of other days.

Later in the
play, they also say:

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Should any among you spectators look upon me
with wonder, because of this wasp waist, or not know the meaning of this sting, I will
soon dispel his ignorance. We, who wear this appendage, are the true Attic men, who
alone are noble and native to the soil, the bravest of all people . . . there is nothing
in the world more to be feared than the Attic wasp . . . 'tis to us that Athens owes the
tributes that our young men thieve
to-day.