"Lysistrata"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Ancient Greek culture through a review of the play, "Lysistrata," by Aristophanes. The paper examines issues of war and highlights the greater importance this Greek dramatist gives to the women of Greece in contrast to the war histories of Thucydides and Herodotus, outlining particularly the harsh effects of war upon women.

From the Paper:

"On its surface, Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" seems to be a comedic send-up of the value and emphasis the male Greek populations of Sparta and Athens placed on war, in contrast to the women of both city-states. And structurally, and particularly in its first scenes, where the women of the play collude, debate and decide to withhold sexual favors until peace is restored, this does seem to be the case. The greater importance this Greek dramatist gives to the women of Greece, in contrast to the histories of war of Thucydides and Herodotus, highlights the particularly harsh effects of war upon women. Unlike men, women cannot fight and can only watch their beloved husbands and sons fight one another until they die. This also underlines the negative aspects of war and conflict-even for the valorous, death is the result, even if glorious leaders like Pericles eulogize them in great funeral orations."

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