CLA 010B_Aristophanes's_Lysistrata

Lysistrata Overview

  • Production and Reception

    • Produced by Callistratus in early spring of 411 B.C. at the Lenaea

    • Aristophanes had previously presented four plays, with "Birds" as the last.

    • Unknown reception and whether it won a prize at Lenaea.

Themes

  • Historical Context

    • Late 5th century B.C. was a challenging time for Athens due to:

      • The disastrous Sicilian expedition which resulted in the loss of the fleet and army.

      • The threat from the Spartans and defection of Athenian allies.

    • Aristophanes presents a comedic yet critical perspective on war, showcasing the foolishness, waste, and corruption often seen in conflict.

Characters

  • Main Characters:

    • Lysistrata: Young Athenian wife, leading the peace initiative.

    • Calonice: Lysistrata's friend and young Athenian wife.

    • Myrrhine: Calonice's counterpart, young Athenian wife.

    • Lampito: Young Spartan wife.

    • Cinesias: Husband of Myrrhine, symbolic of the lustful husbands away at war.

    • Magistrate: Represents Athenian authority.

    • Choruses: Women’s chorus (middle-aged/old Athenian women) and men’s chorus (elderly Athenian men).

    • Old Women: Represent the more experienced participants in the peace movement.

Key Plot Points

  • Initiation of Plan

    • Lysistrata plans to end the war by denying husbands sex, leveraging their desires to achieve peace.

    • Wives of Athenian and Spartan men are motivated to join this strategy as they suffer from the absence of their husbands.

  • Seizing the Acropolis

    • Lysistrata plans to end the war by denying husbands sex, leveraging their desires to achieve peace.

    • Wives of Athenian and Spartan men are motivated to join this strategy as they suffer from the absence of their husbands.

    • Her authority is respected by the other women, signifying a shift in traditional gender roles.

Setting

  • Locations

    • Primarily set in a street in Athens, hinting towards societal norms and roles.

    • The Acropolis serves as a pivotal site for the unfolding events, emphasizing its symbolic importance in Athenian culture.

Important Themes and Ideas

  • Gender Roles and Feminism

    • Lysistrata's character embodies a mix of traditional femininity and progressive notions of women taking charge.

    • The dynamics between men and women are demystified, with women revealing their intelligence and capability in political matters.

  • Pacifism and Anti-War Sentiment

    • The play ultimately advocates for peace over war, using humor to criticize the futility of conflict.

    • Aristophanes presents war not only as a male endeavor but as a consequence affecting entire families and societies.

  • Unity and Cooperation

    • The collaboration of women from both Athens and Sparta underscores themes of unity and solidarity in times of crisis.

    • Lysistrata’s calling for collective action among women highlights the importance of joint efforts for a common cause.

Feminist Elements in Lysistrata

  1. Powerful Female Protagonist: Lysistrata serves as a strong central figure who actively leads other women in their initiative to withhold sex from their husbands until peace is achieved. Her leadership signifies a subversion of traditional gender roles, showcasing women's capacity for political agency. This aligns with bell hooks’ definition of feminism, which emphasizes the importance of women’s empowerment and agency in a patriarchal society.

    • Textual Evidence: Lysistrata states, "We women must take charge of the situation" (p.123), indicating her assertive stance and leadership role.

  2. Women’s Solidarity: The collaboration between women from different city-states (Athens and Sparta) reflects a sense of community and collective action. Lysistrata's efforts underscore the importance of women uniting for a common cause, which is a significant feminist principle.

    • Textual Evidence: When Lysistrata convinces the women, "Together we can end this war" (p.144), it highlights their solidarity in the struggle for peace.

  3. Subversion of Male Authority: The women’s takeover of the Acropolis symbolizes a direct challenge to patriarchal structures by asserting their control over the funds necessary for waging war. This act signifies an uprising against the traditional authority held by men.

    • Textual Evidence: Lysistrata declares, "Let us seize the Acropolis and block the treasury!" (p.155), which exemplifies their intention to disrupt male dominance in governance.

Non-Feminist Elements in Lysistrata

  1. Reinforcement of Traditional Gender Roles: Despite the women's empowerment, they also rely on their sexuality as a bargaining chip, suggesting that their worth is tied to their ability to fulfill traditional roles as wives and mothers. This can imply that women are still defined by their relationships with men rather than as independent entities.

    • Textual Evidence: The women frequently discuss their husbands’ desires, such as when Myrrhine states, "I know he will come back to me" (p.178), indicating reliance on male validation.

  2. Comedic Portrayal of Women: The comedic elements in the play can diminish the serious nature of the feminist themes presented. The humor often pokes fun at the women’s strategies and lifestyles, which can undermine their significant efforts and portray them as objects of ridicule rather than serious agents of change.

    • Textual Evidence: The men’s chorus mocks the women’s action, showcasing them as foolish in their cause, "Look at them trying to keep us from our pleasures!" (p.192).

  3. Underlying Message of Female Submission: Ultimately, while the women's actions lead to peace, the play concludes with a return to traditional family values and female submission. Lysistrata’s victory promotes the idea of women achieving their goals, yet their ultimate purpose is still linked to supporting men and familial ideologies.

    • Textual Evidence: At the resolution, Lysistrata tells the women to return to their homes, reinforcing the notion that their roles revert back to traditional expectations (p.215).

Extent of Feminism in LysistrataThe question of whether "Lysistrata" is feminist is complex. While the play includes progressive elements that advocate for female empowerment and showcase women’s capabilities, it simultaneously reinforces traditional structures and norms. The comedic nature of the play influences its reception and the seriousness with which its feminist elements are perceived. Ultimately, "Lysistrata" embodies a blend of both traditional and progressive themes, reflecting the ambivalence of women’s roles in a patriarchal society. The impact of classical comedy, which was crafted for a specific audience, complicates how these feminist themes can be interpreted and accepted. While moments of empowerment are evident, they are often counterbalanced by reinforcing stereotypes and traditional roles.

Feminism, as defined by bell hooks, is a movement to end sexist oppression and advocate for the social, political, and economic equality of all people, regardless of gender. This definition emphasizes the importance of empowerment and agency for women, while also recognizing that sexism and oppression can affect various groups in society and intersect with other forms of discrimination.