Aristophanes' "Lysistrata"

Paper Summary:

Looks at the historical context and developments that served as a backdrop to "Lysistrata" and then goes on to analyze the play's political meaning. The paper suggests that "Lysistrata" is a commentary on Athenian imperialism and the warfare resulting from aggressive Athenian diplomacy. The paper also discusses some of the feminist themes in "Lysistrata."

From the Paper:

"So the backdrop for Lysistrata and the other wives' quest for piece is motivated by the immediate serious Spartan threat that Athens was currently facing. It is interesting to note that Athenian imperialism had resulted in the war being brought to the Athenian home front, because in Lysistrata it is also the literal home front basic familial life and the security and normality of occurrences around the hearth that has been disrupted by the war. Lysistrata makes the war's effect domestic in two fashions; not only is the war a serious and important domestic security issue because the Spartan's have a stronghold within Athenian territory, but it is a domestic issue because the women of Athens find their domestic lives ravaged by a war that kills their husbands and sons."

More papers on Aristophanes' "Lysistrata":

• Analytical Essay # 62546 : "Aristophanes' "Lysistrata"
• Analytical Essay # 7374 : "An Analysis of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata"
• Comparison Essay # 8869 : "Social Influence in "Lysistrata," "Oedipus Rex" and "A Raisin In The Sun"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: