After reading Lysistrata, it is very obvious that it is a "Brillo pad comedy" aimed at reforming Greek society. Aristophanes is not trying to completely topple the existing structure, but he does use Lysistrata to illustrate its flaws, mainly that of the wars it waged. He even provides very explicit instructions on how to "cleanse" the problems of society. .
Although Lysistrata may seem to have a feminist overtone, I believe that this was only a way for Aristophanes to voice his complaints without being too revolutionary. The cast of women in the play never really show any feminist ideals. 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!" (Lines 1213-1214) This shows that she is only seen as powerful because she is man-like. The non-feminist structure of the play is amplified by the fickleness of the other women, Lysistrata: "At last it seems that I am no longer capable of keeping them from men. They are deserting me." (813) The women seem as though they have no minds of there own and look upon there sex as almost worthless in the beginning of the play, Kalonike: " [depends] on the women? In that case poor Greece has next to nothing to depend on." (31) Lastly, the play was not meant to be feministic because the women's only source of power is their sexuality. They must depend on the men to want sex for their plan to work. .
Aristophanes was using the women and using the dialog of Lysistrata to get his point across. The Grecian wars were pointless and should be stopped. He was trying to scrub Greek society and leave it free of war. By having the women be the voice of peace in the play, Aristophanes was appealing to people without actually coming out and saying his views. The women were not seen as rational; therefore, they could be more radical in their opinions. It kept Aristophanes free from heat.
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. ...
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. ...
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). ... "Lysistrata," demonstrates the depth of loathing for the war that was prevalent throughout Athens after the ruinous campaign to Sicily. ... Lysistrata's scheme to force the men of Greece to the peace table could never have been successful. ... Lysistrata does not cry for the loss of "women's way" but instead encourages the other women to use, literally, their sex as a weapon. ... ...
