Lysistrata

            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 my opinion, the comedy was produced for entertainment value, exaggerating and making fun of the actions of both genders. This piece emphasizes the way women use their sexuality and femininity to get their way, while, at the same time, exemplifying the aggressive, stubbornness of men.
             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 as merely sex objects, with no political power. This play is written more about the difference in gender and social roles, rather than the political issues. Aristophanes focused much more on the interaction between the men and women, rather than political or government views. .
             Another interesting idea throughout the piece was the words Aristophanes used to describe each gender. The words used when talking about the males were masculine, physical words, while he describes the women as attractive and more passive. For example, the male's lines include words such as "rescued", trudge", "noise", and "drive these crowbars." The women describe themselves with words such as "skins well creamed", "transparent negligee", "smooth", and "perfume". .
             One question I found myself wondering throughout the play is "who is in control, or who has the upper-hand"? Although it looks like the males are more powerful and physically fit, the women used what they had to get what they wanted. I think the females were actually in control the whole time, because they bonded together to scheme and used their intelligence and their sexuality (which was all they had in those days) to gain leverage over the men.