What is the message behind Lysistrata?
Lysistrata persuades the women of the warring cities to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands and lovers as a means of forcing the men to negotiate peace—a strategy, however, that inflames the battle between the sexes. Illustration by Aubrey Beardsley, 1896.
What is the purpose of the play Lysistrata?
Lysistrata is a play about peace. As with many of Aristophanes’ plays, he used his characters to act as his voice. He detested the war and the effect it had on his beloved Athens. Since the war ended shortly after the play was produced, this became his third and final plea for peace.
What is Lysistrata’s plan for ending the war?
At the meeting, Lysistrata announces her plan: the women should all refuse to have sex with their husbands until their husbands end the war. To make sure the sex-strike is effective, they will doll themselves up with makeup and put on their skimpiest clothes, to drive their husbands wild with desire.
What is the most important theme or message of Lysistrata?
The main theme of Lysistrata is peace and unity. This is the main theme because the goal of the women is to create peace and to restore unity in Greece. Writing Lysistrata was Aristophanes’s way of commenting on the Peloponnesian War and its affects on society.
What is the climax of Lysistrata?
The climax occurs when the men sue for peace, the goddess of peace appears, and Lysistrata makes a speech.
Who is the main antagonist in Lysistrata?
Magistrate
Magistrate, Men’s Leader Lysistrata is such a dominant figure in this play that there isn’t even much of an antagonist to oppose her. The way we see it, the Antagonist role gets taken up by two separate figures: the Magistrate and the Men’s Leader.
What is the LitCharts study guide on Lysistrata?
Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Aristophanes’s Lysistrata. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world’s best literature guides. A concise biography of Aristophanes plus historical and literary context for Lysistrata. A quick-reference summary: Lysistrata on a single page.
What is the deal between Lysistrata and Calonice?
The women are very reluctant, but the deal is sealed with a solemn oath around a wine bowl, Lysistrata choosing the words and Calonice repeating them on behalf of the other women. It is a long and detailed oath, in which the women abjure all their sexual pleasures, including the Lioness on the Cheese Grater (a sexual position).
What makes Lysistrata’s debate with the magistrate an unusual Agon?
Lysistrata’s debate with the proboulos (magistrate) is an unusual agon in that one character (Lysistrata) does almost all the talking while the antagonist (the magistrate) merely asks questions or expresses indignation. The informality of the agon draws attention to the absurdity of a classical woman engaging in public debate.
What does Lysistrata mean in Greek?
Lysistrata (/laɪˈsɪstrətə/ or /ˌlɪsəˈstrɑːtə/; Attic Greek: Λυσιστράτη, Lysistrátē, “Army Disbander”) is an ancient Greek comedy by Aristophanes, originally performed in classical Athens in 411 BC.