Lysistrata

Lysistrata: Women

Lysistrata herself to begin is portrayed as not your usual Greek woman. She is strong, independent and extremely bold for a woman of that time in the culture she lives in. However it is this uniqueness that is the beginning of where this story will go. Lysistrata completely shatters the image of woman of that day as just stay at home birthing machines. She takes a stand in an issue that has always been a man’s issue, war was a man’s affair, woman were simply expected to wait patiently for the men to return. Instead Lysistrata leads the women to take an active role.

Lysistrata: Greek Culture

I saw more than anything a defilement of the cultural values of that time. Woman took an unnatural role. War is seen as the ultimate venture as a man. Many see it as an honor to go fight and die while defending the home and family. That is taken away by the women who believed that they could take it in their own hands and cause a premature ending.

Lysistrata: Personal Response

From a mans perspective of course I do not agree with what happened. The woman used something that had no business being used as a bargaining chip in which to determine the outcome of the war. Lysistrata came across at least to me as a subversive character. She easily gained the support of other women and wooed them to her side. There were several interesting metaphors within the play that I found interesting. The play itself was a little too explicit at times for my taste, but I enjoyed the perspective of that days culture from the standpoint of the women going against it. It was really hard to comment on this one. It wasn't one I enjoyed as well as some of the others.