Lysistrata

Revised
Lysistrata is an old Greek comedy by Aristophanes during the Peloponnesian War circa 411 B.C. The play is enjoyable and creative in its writing while it incorporates strength and unity from women. Lysistrata has determination and is eager to annul an ongoing war between her country Greece and opposing Sparta. She would like for the army of men to give up the fight and return home. Her first attempt at organizing a meeting for women to attend is unsuccessful. She manages to gather few women who she believes are able to help cease this war. In order to do this Lysistrata suggests to the women that they must abstain from sex with their husbands upon their return home. She says, “We can force our husbands to negotiate Peace, Ladies, by exercising steadfast Self-Control--By Total Abstinence.” (124-127) At first they are opposed to the idea.

Lysistrata's strength and persistence for ending the war does influence the women and they reevaluate their decisions. They eventually comply. With the help of Lampito, the united women of Greece rise above the stereotypical challenges they face from men and husbands in their society. They fight for peace and a solid Greece that is affected by this war against Sparta. This story proves that strength is in the numbers and unity prevails.

Original
Lysistrata is a Greek comedy that demonstrates strength in women in attempt to annul an ongoing war, thus saving Greece. The story opens with the main character Lysistrata in front of the Akropolis exclaiming to women of Athens. Here she makes an effort to organize a group of women who object the Peloponnesian War (war between Athenian and Spartan armies). Lysistrata is discouraged by the lack of response she receives from this all after many planned to meet. She then encounters her next door neighbor, Kleonike, expressing how dissatisfied she is with the women not attending. Kleonike is curious to know the whole purpose of Lysistrata’s meeting. Moments later Myrrhine and Lampito arrive. By this time Lysistrata is ready to suggest her plan on ending the Peloponnesian War, which their husbands are actively serving. As the three women are eager to know, Lysistrata proposes to end the war by women abstaining from sexual relation with their husbands. She says, “We can force our husbands to negotiate Peace, Ladies, by exercising steadfast Self-Control--By Total Abstinence.” (124-127) The women decline at first. The idea of a sexless relationship does not settle well with each of them. Lysistrata is in hope of bringing peace between the two armies and will do this by women being in control of mens’ sexual appetite. Also, she plans to burn Akropolis as a result no money to fund the war.