It is important to understand that the ancient Greek comedy "Lysistrata" serves as an example of how, throughout Greek drama, civil unrest is often defined and framed in terms of gender and sexual conflict. For example, female choruses, the Furies, male supremacy, female protest and incest have all been used as dramatic vehicles to convey a variety of issues, problems and disasters, including war and the subversion of traditional morality and values. In this way, the theater served as the primary forum for civic dialog among the ancient Greeks.
In Aristophanes" "Lysistrata," women refused to engage in any sexual activity with their husbands in order to demand that the warfare between Sparta and Athens be brought to an end. The reader cannot help but smile when Lysistrata demands the women repeat the oath: "To husband or lover I"ll not open my thighs though he bring proof-of-love of monstrous size" (Lysistrata 260-264). The oath becomes increasingly threatening to the men with the women swearing they will not "wiggle with my toes stretched at the roof" (277) and "nor crouch like carven lions with arse in air" (279). .
"Lysistrata," demonstrates the depth of loathing for the war that was prevalent throughout Athens after the ruinous campaign to Sicily. The play goes far beyond sexual innuendo and provides a great deal of insight into the timelessness of human sexuality and desire. The war between Athens and Sparta is of relatively little significance when compared to the war between the sexes. Aristophanes also clearly intended to make a political statement regarding the foolishness of continued Athenian military aggression. Of course he was not seriously suggesting that a sex strike could be a legitimate way bringing the Peloponnesian War to a close. It is much more likely that he wanted to suggest that the actual motivations for the war should be suspect. Lysistrata's scheme to force the men of Greece to the peace table could never have been successful.
Knowing their physical limitations, the women decide on a plan of attack that is lead by Lysistrata. Lysistrata is the mastermind and director of the action in Lysistrata. ... Lysistrata proved to be an influential leader to the women. ... Lysistrata is very different from her female counterparts. ... The Chorus in Lysistrata is split into two, the Chorus of Men and the Chorus of Women. ...
Knowing their physical limitations, the women decide on a plan of attack that is lead by Lysistrata. Lysistrata is the mastermind and director of the action in Lysistrata. ... Lysistrata proved to be an influential leader to the women. ... Lysistrata is very different from her female counterparts. ... The Chorus in Lysistrata is split into two, the Chorus of Men and the Chorus of Women. ...
Lysistrata Lysistrata is a play written in 411 BC by Aristophanes, who was a satirist. ... Lysistrata is probably the oldest comedy which has retained a place in modern theatre. ... In Lysistrata, Lysistrata defies the system of the oikos as represented as sex and attacks the privilege of war. ... Therefore, Lysistrata is defined as a woman who enters the world of the man and conquers it. ... Lysistrata is a reactionary, she wishes to preserve the way things were. ...
After reading Lysistrata, it is very obvious that it is a "Brillo pad comedy" aimed at reforming Greek society. ... It is Lysistrata who is the only one with any resolution and she is summoned by the chorus with the words, "All hail, O manliest woman of all!" ... Aristophanes was using the women and using the dialog of Lysistrata to get his point across. ... Lysistrata's speeches such as the one from line 650 to 670 give Aristophanes" specific instructions to the Greek leaders. ... Perhaps even more enlightening are Lysistrata's words regarding Greeks and Spartans on lines 1267-12...
This form was used in the play, Lysistrata, to illustrate this point. ... Lysistrata taking this role as a commander is not characteristic of women during this era. ... The story of Lysistrata contains other elements of comedy other than the pessimistic view. ... The reader gets to understand that Lysistrata is powerful, intelligent, and dedicated but never a reality of why Lysistrata is that way? ... The story of Lysistrata is an excellent example of Greek comedy for the reasons listed. ...
Lysistrata Aristophanes was a comedy poet in the fourth century B.C. ... Lysistrata was schooled in the traditional fashion, by learning from older men. ... Like the heroines of tragedy, Lysistrata wants to put things back to the way they were. ... His catalyst was Lysistrata, feminist champion over war through peace. ... In the opening scenes of the play Lysistrata says "I'm furious with women and womankind. ...
Written during the war, a time of chaos and crisis in Greece, Aristophanes" play Lysistrata was an attempt to lighten the atmosphere of the country, and provide humor for the people. ... In the opening scene, when Lysistrata is explaining her plan to the other women, Aristophanes shows the way females use their femininity and sexuality to gain power. They are going to "sit around all prettied up in flowers and scandalous saffron-yellow gowns, groomed- I do not think that Lysistrata was, in any way, a threat to the hierarchy of the government because at that time, females were looked upon...
Lysistrata By Aristophanes We can force our husbands to negotiate Peace, Ladies, by exercising steadfast Self Control- By Total Abstinence.......Total Abstinence from SEX! ... This group of girls, lead by Lysistrata, decided to not allow their husbands to have sex with them until they came home for good and stopped the war. ... Lysistrata held a meeting to give the women their plans. ... Eventually they are persuaded and they agree with Lysistrata. ... Lysistrata is a strong woman, a very strong woman. ...
