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Lysistrata


            "The Lysistrata" by Aristophanes demonstrates the free will and power that the women have, but in the past have hardly used. The women of Athens, and then throughout Greece (Sparta and Boeotia), link together under the common goal of ending the war between the Athenians and Spartans, so that their husbands will return home. 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. Continually giving direction from behind the scenes of the action, Lysistrata not only instructs the women on how to act, but carefully observes and coaches the women. She convinces the women that by not having sex wit their husbands until they renounced peace is the only way to end the war. Lysistrata insists that everything the women do must be performed with the purpose of arousing their husbands, however, once they have their man's interest they are to act if they are not interested. Lysistrata believed if men will not fix the mess they have made, then women must fix it for them.
             Lysistrata proved to be an influential leader to the women. A good example of this coaching is Lysistrata's dealings with Myrrhina when Cinesias comes to the Acroplis. Before Cinesias arrives at the Acropolis, Lysistrata gives Myrrhina specific instructions on how to act with her husband and then watches to make sure that Myrrhine doesn't give in to Cinesias. Although Lysistrata is the mastermind of both the sexual strike and the seizure of Acropolis, she does not actively participate in either of the event. .
             The separation Lysistrata achieves from the other women is important to her rank and power with the male characters in the play. Lysistrata does not show any sign of sexual desire, she has no obvious lovers or husbands, and does not purposely flirt with men; the Commissioner and the delegates seems to give her more respect.


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