In both Lysistrata and Apollo and Daphne, the men's desire to have sex forces them to do many unpredictable things. Throughout Lysistrata, we watch the Athenian women use sex to take control of the men and gain power. On the other hand, Cupid uses "love" to take control of Apollo. In both stories, the men's desire for love and sex allows them to do anything to get it; however, throughout Lysistrata the desire to have sex means more to the men of Athens than it does to Apollo who is ruled not merely by lust but by the power of love in the cosmos. .
During Lysistrata, Arisophanes portrays a very erotic and explicit mood. He uses sexual and graphic words and phrases such as, "who move in my direction in erection" (Lysistrata 735), and "leaves no balls on the body for bitches to graw!" (Lysistrata 741). These phrases give the reader a graphic image and allow the reader to visualize and feel the tone that Aristophanes is trying to portray. In addition to the mood, "love" is not mentioned in the story of Lysistrata. It is not "love" that allows the women of Athens take control of their husbands. "Sex" is what gets taken away from them, and that is how the women of Athens get what they want. In conclusion, the mood that Aristophanes portrays, further suggests that the main theme in the story of Lysistrata is sex compared to Ovid's theme in Apollo and Daphne, "love".
Throughout Apollo and Daphne, Ovid uses a sensual approach. He portrays a more passionate and adoring mood. Ovid does this by constantly making reference to the word "love". Ovid states "Phoebus is lovestruck;" (Apollo and Daphne 1139). It is not lust that Apollo suffers from, but rather "love". He further states,"Have seen the girl he longs to wed," (Apollo and Daphne 1139). Ovid suggests that Apollo is not after Daphne for "sex", but rather because he has fallen in love with her. This is why he is willing to make a commitment and marry her.