Paper
Lysistrata and the Peloponnesian War
Many comedies of this time period explore issues that were of importance to those people. Lysistrata is no different. It explores issues relevant to the time period in which it was written. Aristophanes uses the Peloponnesian War to illustrate the differences between the men and women of the time period.
As Lysistrata begins, the women are gathering for their meeting with Lysistrata. They gripe and complain about how late the others are for the meeting, while Lysistrata begins to clue them in on her plan. Once all have arrived who will be arriving, she gives them the details of her plan to stop the war. That plan being that they with hold sexual favors from their husbands or lovers until the war is over. For the most part, only one other woman, Lampito, is in agreement with her. The others cannot fathom doing such a thing. After all, they cannot go without sexual pleasures, could they? Eventually, Lysistrata and Lampito convince the others to go along with the plan. Finally, the women who did not give up and go home manage to seize the acropolis. The elders and magistrates try their best to smoke the women out, but to no avail. The women dump water on the men and stand their ground. Eventually the men of both sides had enough of being denied sexual pleasures and came together to sign the treaty. They were reluctant at first, but they gave way to the women’s wishes and signed the treaty ending the war between Athens and Sparta.
The references to the war in the text are actually quite blatant. The war is openly referred to during the course of the story. The women do what they do because they are sick of their men being gone at war. The women did not like the idea at first. They could not tolerate the thought of going without sexual relations even to stop the war. In a way, I think the issue of the Peloponnesian War is shown by the women and what they do more than the women’s actions as retaliation against the men.
Aristophanes explores the hostility behind the war and illustrates that same hostility by both parties in the actions of the characters. The women’s sexual drives which keep them from pursuing the goal of ending the war represents the men’s hatred towards the other city-state and why they cannot just quit the war. These same women use their sexuality to accomplish their goal of ending the war. The men end up conceding to the women’s demands for peace essentially so they can, if you will pardon the pun, get some lovin’. According to Magill Book Reviews, “Eventually the sexually deprived men from opposing sides gather but are reluctant to sign the treaty. Soon, however, they are enticed into doing so by the resolute women.” (Magill)
The men did not think too much of the women’s planning at the beginning. Aristophanes illustrates well the attitudes of the men towards the women’s intelligence and ability to do anything other than look pretty and satisfy their wants and needs. He demonstrates the way many of the women feel about their own intelligence quite well in a conversation between Lysistrata and Kleonike. It begins as Lysistrata is explaining her plan to bring about peace.
Lysistrata says Only this:
the hope and salvation of Hellas lies with the WOMEN.
Kleonike answers Lies with the women? Now there’s a last resort.
Lysistrata continues by adding, It lies with us to decide affairs of state
and foreign policy.
The Spartan Question: Peace
or Extirpation? (Norton p675.32-38)
Even more than that, he portrays women as being tricky, deceitful, and very interested in ensuring their continued sexual relations with their husbands or lovers, whichever the case might be. In this passage, Lysistrata tells them the specifics of her plan to stop the war, and receives her responses from the women.
Lysistrata says Very well,
then here’s the program:
Total Abstinence
From SEX!
Why are you turning away? Where are you going?
—- what’s this? Such gloomy stricken expressions!
Such gloomy gestures!
—- Why so pale?
Whence these tears?
—–What IS this?
Will you do it or won’t you?
Cat got your tongue? (Norton p679.128-132)
The responses Lysistrata receives from the majority of the women show the women’s interest in maintaining sexual relations with their husbands and lovers, even at the expense of the war. These women would rather “walk through fire barefoot” (Norton p679.139) than give up sex. Who say’s men are the only ones after sex! The only woman who sticks by Lysistrata at the beginning is Lampito. The others could not figure out how the plan would work. Lysistrata explains how it will work in this passage:
Certainly, here’s how it works:
We’ll paint, powder, and pluck ourselves to the last
Detail, and stay inside wearing those filmy
Tunics that set off everything we have —-
and then
slink up to the men. They’ll snap to attention, go
absolutely mad to love us—
but we won’t let them. We’ll abstain.
— I imagine they’ll conclude a treaty rather quickly.
After this speech, she was once again met with criticism and questions from the women. Lysistrata was well prepared for this. For every argument, she had a rebuttal.
Aristophanes illustrated the women’s perceived weakness during this point in history. He used this to show that the women believed the men had the power and that they, as women, were powerless to stop anything the men decided to do. In addition, he shows how the men of the time feel about women taking charge. The following two passages demonstrate this quite well:
Swifty say’s
I’m never surprised. At my age, life
is just one damned thing after another.
And yet, I never thought my wife
Was anything more than a home-grown bother.
But now, dadblast her,
She’s a National Disaster!
The first semichorus of men adds,
What a catastrophe—
MATRIARCHY!
They’ve brought Athene’s statue to heel,
they’ve put the Akropolis under a seal,
They’ve copped the whole dammed commonweal . . .
What is left for them to steal? (Norton p684.280-291)
This shows us the men’s attitudes about women in charge. They apparently believe it would be the downfall of the state to have women in charge. However, one must ask this question: Without women, how would men survive? More than likely, these men did not clean, cook, help with raising children (except training the boys), or wash clothes. How ever would these men be able to live without women to take care of all they did? These men just did not realize how much their women did for them. In the beginning, some of the women are late because they are taking care of their husbands and children. The men go off to war leaving the women alone with the children at home to take care of everything that needs to be done.
During Lysistrata, it is very clearly shown that the men believe they are superior to the women, and that the women believe themselves to be subservient to men. The Peloponnesian War was important in Lysistrata in that it enabled Aristophanes to have a context within which to describe the attitudes and personalities of men and women of this time period. People are not always as they seem. The men of Athens and Sparta knew their women were bothers at home, but they found out that their actions at home were nothing compared to what could happen when a whole group got together and decided to accomplish something. Lysistrata show’s us all the value of working together as a team to accomplish a goal. As it was put by Magill Book Reviews, “LYSISTRATA is high comedy, as popular and timely today as it was when it was written. The humor is broad and bawdy. Like much good comedy, the play holds up to ridicule contemporary conditions and situations.”
Другие работы по теме:
Medea A Civilized Barbarian Essay Research Paper
A Civilized Barbarian The term “Barbarian” is Greek in origin. The Greeks originally levied it at any races who were not of a Greek origin; especially those who threatened Greek civilization and culture. Because most of these “strangers” regularly assaulted Greek cities, the term “barbarian” gradually evolved into a rude term: a person who was a sub-human, uncivilized, and regularly practiced the most vile and inhuman acts imaginable.
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Euripides Master How Well You Knew Women
! Essay, Research Paper In this paper I will demonstrate why I believe, contrary to widespread opinion and possible even his own, that Aristophanes, not Euripides, was, of the four major dramatists fo Athens’ Golden Age, the one who least respected women.
Untitled Essay Research Paper By April GibbsLysistrata
Untitled Essay, Research Paper By: April Gibbs Lysistrata by Aristophanes I think the story of Lysistrata is both interesting and surprising. I did not expect a story that was written in 411 BC to have much of anything I
Lysistrata Essay Research Paper LysistrataBy AristophanesWe can
Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper Lysistrata By Aristophanes |We can force our husbands to negotiate Peace, Ladies, by exercising steadfast Self Control- By Total Abstinence…….Total Abstinence from SEX!X (Aristophanes,24). A band of women coming together to force peace. Taking on the initiative to get their husbands back home.
Lysistrata Essay Research Paper LysistrataAristophanes was a
Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper Lysistrata Aristophanes was a comedy poet in the fourth century B.C. during the time of the Peloponnesian War. Aristophanes’ writing style in this play seems to be cynical, and suggesting the far-out. This is a kind of absurd and funny Aristophanes’ comedy in which the main characters, the heroes of the story, are women.
Lysistrata Essay Research Paper Lysistrata is a
Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper Lysistrata is a play written in 411 BC by Aristophanes. At that time in Greek history, the city-states were constantly warring with one another. Consequently, the women were left at home. One woman, Lysistrata, was so fed up with the fighting that she called all of the women of Greece to a meeting.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
ROTC Entrence Essay Essay Research Paper entrance
ROTC Entrence Essay Essay, Research Paper entrance essay For almost as long as I cn remember, I have been interested in th military. Influenced by such movies as “Patton”, and by my dad’s interest in military history, my
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Role Of Sex In Lysistrata Essay Research
Paper Women and Men in Lysistrata and the Role of Sex and Reason Aristophanes Lysistrata is an excellent example of satirical drama in a relatively fantastical comedy. He proceeds to show the absurdity of the Peloponnesian War by staging a battle of the sexes in front of the Acropolis, worshipping place of Athena.
Lysistrata Essay Research Paper answersOne of the
Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper answers. One of the improbabilities of Lysistrata starts in a very first scene. The original plan outlined the women stay home to conduct their sexual boycott of their husbands, but by the end of the prologue, all the Athenian women proceed to the Acropolis where they eventually try so hard to escape from.
Aristophanes Lysistrata Essay Research Paper A Review
Aristophanes: Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper A Review of Lysistrata Lysistrata, a play written by Aristophanes, was first performed in 411 B.C. It portrays an arousing comedy of a plan to end the war between Athens and Sparta as proposed by an Athenian woman, Lysistrata. To do this, she holds a meeting among the women of Greece in an effort to convince them that men will succumb to peace as a result of sexual frustration.
Lysistrata Essay Research Paper Lysistrata A play
Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper Lysistrata A play about making war – and not making love? The Talbot Theatre production of Lysistrata both entertained and delighted this member of the audience, who was there partly because of an English assignment requirement, but mainly because of the opportunity to enjoy a live theatre production.
Letter On Lysistrata Essay Research Paper Letter
Letter On Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper Letter on Lysistrata: A Plea For Equality Dear friend, The first thing that I noticed, which you might notice also, when I started reading Lysistrata was the very informal style of writing. The second thing I noticed was the strong presence of female authority rivaling against the age old male chavinism of most of the early cultures including the Greeks.
Medea Vs Lysistrata Essay Research Paper Medea
Medea Vs. Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper Medea vs. Lysistrata ? Contrasting two strong Greek females Both Medea by Euripides and Lysistrata by Aristophanes illustrate the injustices that women suffered. Each author uses strong-willed characters to protest social situations.
Lysistrata Essay Research Paper LysistrataAh the joys
Lysistrata Essay, Research Paper Lysistrata Ah, the joys of living life as a woman in Ancient Greece. Being able to walk down the street holding your head high with pride as men approach you inquiring your philosophical views of life and politics. Lady Marmalaide strumming from an anonymous harp as you stroll down the corridor.
A Society Discovered Athens Essay Research Paper
A Society Discovered Researchers have recently uncovered evidence of an advanced civilization, named Athens, that flourished in the 400’s B.C. That evidence is in the form of three writings, which have recently been discovered. One of these works was, “The Peloponnesian War”, written by Thucydides, who was believed to have been a historian in Athens.
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
Lysistrata An Analysis Essay Research Paper
Aristophanes was a “craft” comedy poet in the fourth century B.C. during the time of the Peloponnesian War. Aristophanes’ usual style was to be too satirical, and suggesting the outlandish. He shows little mercy when mocking Socrates and his “new-fangled ideas” which were most likely designed to destroy the cohesiveness of society and lead to anarchy, in his play The Clouds.
A Comparison Of The Status Of Women
In Classical Athens And Early Christianity Essay, Research Paper A Comparison of the Status of Women in Classical Athens and Early Christianity Since the beginning of time the treatment of women has improved
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Womens
’ Roles In The Epic Of Gilgamesh, Lysistra, And Perpetua Essay, Research Paper Time reveals how women s roles have changed throughout history and literature. Women have changed from the roles of submissive servants to powerful figures with leadership abilities. Each of the following pieces of literature: The Epic of Gilgamesh, Lysistrata, and Perpetua take place in different and descending time eras.
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
Comedy And The Power Of The Human
Spirit Essay, Research Paper Paving the way, comedy traditionally deals with the efforts of individuals to survive and create a new and better world ? or at least one that is better than the reality the character find themselves in if only for a short period of time. In this way this genre seems to be a means of dealing with both human suffering and failure.
How To Writing A Research Essay Essay
, Research Paper How To Writing A Research Essay The toughest part of the essay, for me, was taking all the information I had gained and reduce it to a mere few pages essay. After all, quality is better
Theatre Oral History Report Essay Research Paper
Theatre History Oral Report Aristophanes (448?-385 BC), Athenian playwright, considered one of the greatest writers of comedy in literary history. His plays have been produced through the centuries and have remained popular because