Lysistrata by Aristophanes

1545 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Evolution of women in literature

In what ways is Lysistrata a woman behaving badly in her own cultural context?

Women can be seen as behaving badly thought the entire of history, yet the cultural context to which they belong defines what is bad and what is not. Context has been seen to effect values and attitudes to a great extent, therefore determining how a text should be viewed. Lysistrata by Aristophanes was written in ancient Greek times, so Lysistrata must be viewed as a woman behaving badly in regard to the values and attitudes of her time. In the following paragraphs Lysistrata as a woman behaving badly in the cultural context of ancient Greece, will be discussed.

In the opening of the play, Lysistrata calls a meeting with all the women, and women representatives from Athens and Sparta to discuss what they should do about the war, “I’ve called a meeting to discuss a very major matter…” as stated by Lysistrata when she is waiting for the other women to arrive. This is her behaving badly in ancient Greek times as women weren’t supposed to call meeting of any form, this was seen as a male privilege because women were not viewed at intelligent enough. The men, however, do not respond to Lysistrata calling a meeting, as they do not know of the uniting of the women until they have taken the Acropolis.

The meeting is called to discuss Lysistrata’s idea on how they can stop the men from waging war her idea is renouncing sex. “Very well then. We must renounce – sex…” Lysistrata telling the women for the first time what they need to do and Myrrhine taking the vow on behalf of all the women, “But I will never willingly yield myself to him.” - talking about their husbands. This is Lysistrata acting badly as in ancient Greek times, as sex was expected from women by men, women had not charge over their bodies and sex was not something they had the power to give or deny at will. The men react to this in such a way that suggests they can’t live without sex and are settle the whole war over the assurance from Lysistrata that their wives will be returned to them once they do so, “Allies, ma’am? Look at the state we’re in! We know what the allies will want: the same as we do – a fuck!!”

Lysistrata’s next move is to capture the Acropolis with the help of the other women. “[All the women retire into the Acropolis, and the doors are closed.]” As directed by a stage cue. This is bad behaviour...

... middle of paper ...

...mes. The first being her seeing it as her job or role to bring about peace, “Why don’t we ask Lysistrata to join us? She’s the only person who can bring about true reconciliation.” Even though the men have accepted her dominance at that time she is still acting madly by evolving herself in men’s business, peace being related to war and war being a male dominated vicinity.

The final way in which Lysistrata behaves contextually badly in the play, is through her ordering around of the men, “Now you Spartans stand right next to me on this side, and you Athenians on that side, and listen to what I have to say.” Once again at this point in the play the men have accepted Lysistrata’s dominance as it will be the quickest way for them to get what they want, however traditionally she is acting out of place by ordering around her superiors, or how men were viewed in Ancient Greece.

Lysistrata behaves badly throughout the entire play, she behaves badly, verbally and physically, through both her actions and the actions of those who follow her. Yet it may only be viewed as her behaving badly though the context the play was written in as context has a large impact on values and attitudes.

Show More
Related

  • The Status of Women in New Testament and Lysistrata

    575 Words  | 2 Pages

    nature, and women's legal rights. & nbsp;       Albeit in Lysistrata the women were shown as revolutionaries rising up against the men, women in classical Greece were never like that.  Aristophanes created the play as a comedy, showing how the world might be in the times of the Peloponnesian war if women tried to do something.  It was the women's job to stay home and tend to the house, and never leave, unlike they did in the play. women were shown as revolutionaries rising up against the men, women in classical Greece was never like that. & nbsp;       The activities of women in Classical Athens were confined to "bearing children, spinning and weaving, and managing the domestic arrangements. No wandering in the beautiful streets of them. "    The suppression of women went so far as to divide the house into separate areas for males and females.  While the women stayed home, the men were usually out fighting, and when they weren't. fighting, they were entertaining their friends and having sexual favors.

    Read More

  • Important Role of Women in Homer's Odyssey

    1720 Words  | 4 Pages

    Yet, despite the fact that no two women in this epic are alike, each—through her vices or virtues—helps to delineate the role of the ideal woman. Below, we will show the importance of Circe, Calypso, Nausicaa, Clytaemestra, and Penelope in terms of the movement of the narrative and in defining social roles for the Ancient Greeks. Before we delve into the traits of individual characters, it is important to understand certain assumptions about women that prevailed in the Homeric Age. By modern standards, the Ancient Greeks would be considered a rabidly misogynistic culture. Indeed, the notoriously sour Boetian playwright Hesiod-- who wrote about fifty years before Homer-- proclaimed "Zeus who thunders on high made women to be evil to mortal men, with a nature to do evil (Theogony 600).

    Read More

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream: Nature and Consequences of Infatuation

    1174 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lysander calls Demetrius a?spotted and inconsistent man?, indicating Demetrius? fickleness towards women, that he is flirtatious and flawed. Demetrius is willing to go to any extent to have Hermia marry him, even allowing Hermia to be subject to a life of a nun or death, if she does not marry him. Demetrius. infatuation with Hermia brings out the tyrannical and possessive part of his character, as can be seen when he says?and, Lysander, yield thy crazed title to my certain right?

    Read More

  • Physical Therapy

    1641 Words  | 4 Pages

    Various educational requirements serve as a qualification to a career as a physical therapist. A person must earn a minimum of two degrees from accredited universities, perform volunteer service and comply with certification requirements to complete the educational requirements toward a career in physical therapy. First, the interested person must complete an undergraduate degree with either a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Arts with a heavy science background.. A common requirement among universities is a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in all basic courses and a minimum 3.0 in all science classes for entrance into a Master’s degree program. Important considerations by most, if not all, programs are the person’s grades and attitude displayed during a required personal interview with an executive from the university which the interested student plans to attend. The next stepinvolves earning a Master’s degree from an accredited university. Once into a Master’s program, the student must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average throughout the two year program. A basic program, as described by The World Book Encyclopedia, consists of "courses in anatomy, clinical medicine, physiology, psychology, therapeuticexercise, and the use of various physical and electrical equipment" (Zeleny, 1986). Theseclasses should thoroughly prepare the student for their future care...

    Read More

  • Becoming A Physical Therapist Essay

    595 Words  | 2 Pages

    You must receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, programs to get a DPT degree usually last about 3 years. Most DPT programs require at least a bachelor's degree for entrance. Another option is to go into a program that offers both. “ Some programs admit college freshmen into 6- or 7-year programs that allow students to graduate with both a bachelor’s degree and a DPT.” (Physical Therapist) This can make the whole process of becoming a physical therapist become easier. You must also get at least 30 weeks of clinical work in order to gain experience. It is also beneficial to apply for a residency program for additional experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “All states require physical therapists to be licensed.” (Physical Therapist) So along with a DPT, bachelor's degree, and clinical work, you must also become

    Read More

  • Role of Women During the Time of Lysistrata

    834 Words  | 2 Pages

    Logistically, it would have been quite difficult for Lysistrata to enlist the aid of the women of Athens in her scheme. Greek society imposed standards of decorum that restricted a woman’s freedom of movement and required her to be escorted by a slave woman or an elderly relative when in public (Gulick 54). These restrictions were designed primarily to limit a wife or daughter’s contact with men outside her family and served men’s goal of avoiding uncertainty about the paternity of children, however they did allow women friends and relatives to socialize freely in each other’s homes. Even the scene of Lysistrata waiting to meet with Kalonike, Myrrhine, and Lampito doesn’t seem particularly out of the ordinary. Still, the coordination required would necessitate that Lysistrata be of substantial means. Only the wealthiest of women could successfully deploy couriers across battle lines, initiate a relationship with a Spartian woman of significant influence, and arrange for Lampito’s visit to Athens. Since, as Charles Gulick writes, "every woman of good family was under the guardianship of a man" (56), it seems unlikely that Lysistrata could managed such a feat.

    Read More

  • Exploring Physical Therapy: Becoming a Professional

    1312 Words  | 3 Pages

    To be a PT you need certain certifications. These start off with a successful completion of a national examination. The national examination has 9 distinct areas which are required to be specialized be a PT these are pulmonary, cardiovascular, clinical electrophysiology, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports, and women’s health. A certified physical therapy degree from a professional education system. After this you must have a minimum work of 2 years in a satisfactory medical center or office. In this stage you are also working to get your license in physical therapy. Being a physical therapist takes a lot of work, you must have the patience to work with people who have different problems with their body and cannot deal with the obstacles. You must be able to communicate with your patients and get them strong minded so that they may overcome their difficult situation. Most of the time this specific skill takes place with athletes. Athletes are harder to work with because once they start getting into their physical therapy routines they feel like they can do everything they can before the injury but after the fact hurt themselves more and cause more damage and therefore gains more time to their

    Read More

  • Physical Therapy Essay

    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

    A bachelor's degree in physical therapy includes life science, psychology, research methods and social science courses. Courses discuss a wide variety of medical treatments and teach students how to operate in clinical and medical settings like hospitals, physician offices and physical therapy centers. Common courses include: Clinical anatomy and physiology, Muscular and skeletal examination, Health care and insurance systems, Biostatistics research, Physical therapy pathology, Pharmacology, Master of Science in Physical Therapy (American physical therapy

    Read More

  • Characterization of "Lysistrata"

    620 Words  | 2 Pages

    First, Lysistrata is clearly identifiable as a leader for Athenian women. In the beginning of the play, Lysistrata secretly organizes a meeting between all the women of Greece to discuss a strategy to end the Peloponnesian War "if the women will meet here - the Spartans, the Boeotians, and we Athenians - then all together we will save Greece" (Page 468, 40-42). During the meeting, which Lysistrata leads, Lysistrata suggests to the women of Greece to withhold sex from their husbands. The women are hesitant and some refuse "I won't do it! Let the war go on" states Myrrhine, an Athenian woman (Page 470, 132). However, with Lysistrata' encouragement, the women swear an oath to withhold sex from their husbands until a treaty of peace is signed. Also, throughout the play, Lysistrata continuously directs, instructs and coaches the women of Athens on how to behave. Furthermore, the men call upon Lysistrata to make the treaty between Sparta and Athens "Only Lysistrata can arrange things for us; shall we summon her?" (Page 494, 1...

    Read More

  • Physical Therapy

    680 Words  | 2 Pages

    Second, every student who wants to get a good career has to meet the requirement they need in order to graduate from their major. Physical Therapy educational program required student who are interesting in this major, to first graduate with a master or doctor degree. Also, these students have to take some mandatory credits or course for the program. Applicants need to have a bachelor degree that include some required curses with are based in the program. In addition, a student who wants to be a Physical Therapy can complete a curriculum of a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Master of Physical Therapy, or a Degree Mas...

    Read More

  • An Analysis in Feminism in the Play 'Lysistrata'

    710 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Greek classics, it is common knowledge that in that era women and men were considered unequal. Men were superior, and in most cases women were not even fit for citizenship. It is in this atmosphere and time period that Aristophanes wrote Lysistrata. The play itself is supposed to be a comedy, although the actions of the women do not seem amusing. Instead, the women’s actions, especially the main character Lysistrata, seem incredibly brave. Lysistrata rounds up her “troop” of all the women in Athens and a Spartan woman. They take charge of the acropolis and refuse to settle for anything less than a peace treaty to end the war. The only problem with this is, in ending the war, they will be bringing back the men from their duty and end up in the same social caste system as they were from the beginning. Aristophanes seems to make the point that – the only power women hold is their sexuality (Rex Par. 7). The Athenian women can withdraw from their husbands for however long they like, they still end up givi...

    Read More

  • Women in Ancient Greece

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    Euripides, one of Ancient Greece’s most famous playwrights, could be considered as one of the earliest supporters of women’s rights. With plays such as Alcestis and Medea, he clearly puts an emphasis on the condition of women, and even integrates them in the Chorus of the latter play, a feat that was not often done in Ancient Greece. Throughout the years, it has been argued that the two central characters in each of those plays offer conflicting representations of women in those times, and I can safely say that I agree with that argument. I will expand on my view by pointing out an important similarity between Alcestis and Medea, followed by a key difference, and will finish it off by contrasting them with the Ancient Greek depiction of an “ideal woman.”

    Read More

  • Lysistrata Analysis

    1291 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Lysistrata” is a tale which is centered around an Athenian woman named Lysistrata and her comrades who have taken control of the Acropolis in Athens. Lysistrata explains to the old men how the women have seized the Acropolis to keep men from using the money to make war and to keep dishonest officials from stealing the money. The opening scene of “Lysistrata” enacts the stereotypical and traditional characterization of women in Greece and also distances Lysistrata from this overused expression, housewife character. The audience is met with a woman, Lysistrata, who is furious with the other women from her country because they have not come to discuss war with her. The basic premise of the play is, Lysistrata coming up with a plan to put an end to the Peloponnesian War which is currently being fought by the men. After rounding up the women, she encourages them to withhold sex until the men agree to stop fighting. The women are difficult to convince, although eventually they agree to the plan. Lysistrata also tells the women if they are beaten, they may give in, since sex which results from violence will not please the men. Finally, all the women join Lysistrata in taking an oath to withhold sex from their mates. As a result of the women refraining from pleasing their husbands until they stop fighting the war, the play revolves around a battle of the sexes. The battle between the women and men is the literal conflict of the play. The war being fought between the men is a figurative used to lure the reader to the actual conflict of the play which is the battle between men and women.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Characters of Lysitrata, Penelope, and Medea

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    Lysistrata is portrayed as a typical commander of war that gives orders and does not take part in the war. While being the mastermind behind the sex strike, she is able to separate her self from the other women in her ability to resist her attraction for men. The women are used as pawns by this cunning and powerful, Lysistrata, who is victorious in establishing peace in Greece.

    Read More

  • Texting While Driving

    652 Words  | 2 Pages

    Cell phones have changed rapidly over the years. One thing is that they have become more of a distraction. People used to just call others, when you wanted to talk to them. Nowadays, people would text someone rather than call them. Truly calling and texting are very dangerous to do while driving. Texting is just more dangerous because drivers take all of their attention away. First, drivers take their eyes away from the road. If something was to run out in front of your vehicle, the driver probably wouldn’t see until it was possibly too late. Second drivers take their hands away from the wheel. If a driver would have to make a drastic turn, they will need both hands. Lastly, drivers take your mind away from the wheel. The driver could easily miss something because they were no longer paying attention. Texting while driving is more dangerous than calling someone but they are still both very risky, and dangerous.

    Read More

More about Lysistrata by Aristophanes

Open Document