Reason, Balance, And Harmony In Aristophanes 'Lysistrata'

Reason, moderation, balance, harmony: the key ingredients to a Greek society . Greeks were known for upholding strict social virtues and values. As many people can assume from mythology, the Greeks were very invested in religion, having polytheistic roots. From these roots the Greeks seemed to adapt to other religions very well and were much more open-minded than other civilizations. Despite being open-minded regarding religion, the culture was quite restricted when it came to war. From a young age, men were expected to begin preparation for the war. If a husband or son returned from war with a loss, the family would often weep in disappointment. Men’s entire purpose was to be glorious, men dominated the Ancient Greek society. Of course being brought up with these values, men loved war and loved fighting. Conflict eventually arose between the two main cities of Greece known as Athens and Sparta, during the Peloponnesian Wars. Greek writer, Aristophanes, had a very strong critique regarding the war . Through

Aristophanes’ play, Lysistrata, he creates a safe environment with the use of satire, to form opinions about the role of women in society as well as his views on the Peloponnesian war.
Aristophanes presents several major concepts within Lysistrata, a foremost argument discussing a revolt of women against the mainstream values of their culture within Greece. The central character, who seems to illustrate this dominant theme goes by the name of Lysistrata. Lysistrata is depicted as an upper class Athenian woman. "What oath! In Aeschylus they take a slaughtered sheep and swear upon a buckler. Why not we? ” unlike the common people of Greece, Lysistrata speaks publicly against tradition and is not ashamed to state her opinion. Through analyzing her speech, it can be understood that she is almost ashamed to be a woman. Women are illustrated as a people who are driven by sex and nothing more , and Lysistrata is determined to change this theory. Not only does this stereotype frustrate her, she is equally as disgusted by the fact that women do not stand up to men, only adding to their belief. With a strong drive to end the Peloponnesian war, which is simultaneously occurring, Lysistrata attempts to gather the women of Greece with a highly intelligent strategy to deprive the men off at war. Here the reader can gain a sense of Aristophanes’ repulsion toward the war. Aristophanes indicates that women suffer equally as much as men while they are away at war, thus, Lysistrata must develop a plan to end it.
Lysistrata’s first recruit to fulfill her master plan is Ms. Myrhinne, who happens to be married to a man by the name of Kineisas. Kineisas is a highly advanced military general, knowing this, Lysistrata is easily aware that he has a strong stake in the war and if she can persuade Myrhinne to convince him to end the war, there’s probably a better shot. Lysistrata has also rallied a woman by the name of Lampito. Lampito is an interesting character because she is from the city of Sparta. Lysistrata now has an ally from the opposing city to even further develop her post in ending the war. Together, the group of women, which accumulates, are convinced to embellish themselves using “cosmetics dusting beauty ” and creating a stunning sexual appearance to astonish the men. Not only do the women attempt to impress the men, they seize the Acropolis in Athens as well. During the attempted siege, a chorus of men enters, starting a debacle between the two groups.
Through this interaction Aristophanes again addresses the Greek culture’s belief about women. The men become frustrated and state “Oh hit them hard and hit again until they run away, and perhaps they’ll learn, like Bupalus, not to have too much to say.! ” essentially the men discuss their desire to “sock” the women and complain about all women being exasperating. Kineasas walks into this distress with a very apparent erection and beseeches that his wife have sex with him. When Myrhinne seduces him and of course lets him down subsequently, Kineasas immediately sends out a request for peace. After Lysistrata converses regarding the goddess of Reconciliation, who appears in the form of a naked woman, the men fully agree to end the war and the two groups go off to celebrate, displaying unity of Greece. Not only does this present unity, the concept also proves that war is not a necessity for men. The men were effortlessly willing to end the war for a greater cause, sex.
Aristophanes may write with crude humor throughout this play, referring to large bosoms and erect penises, however hidden beneath the text lie a plethora of important facts about the Greek culture. The common perception of Greek women was to remain in the house all day, every day, to support the family, raise the children, and stay fit . Men throughout the Greek Civilization believed that women would have sex with anyone at any time and therefore must be contained. This concept is portrayed through the entire hyperbole of Lysistrata and her fellow women staying abstinent to end a war. No this is not realistic, yet it demonstrates the nature of the society and makes a clear argument through Aristophanes’ use of satire. Using Lysistrata as his main character, Aristophanes presents an unusual aspect to the play. During the time period men and war were the focus of society and Lysistrata contradicts this. Representing the various groups of men the Magistrate exclaims that women with “threads, skeins, and spools” in no way can “solve such a bitter complexity” . Portraying the idea that women are equal, Lysistrata replies to this discourteous comment with a long speech regarding her plans for each and every one of the materials the Magistrate had described , breaking him down. In addition to enhancing the argument concerning gender roles, this again portrays the historical culture of the Greeks.
Reason, balance, moderation, and harmony: the key ingredients to a Greek society.

Aristophanes may depict these four elements in unusual ways throughout the play, however, when everyone comes to peace once again, the elements can be seen quite easily. Many of the Greek ideologies have been passed on to the world we know today. The idea of gender roles plays a major part in Lysistrata and in life as we know it. Men and women are still, in the 20th century, not treated completely equally to men, and Aristophanes critiques this throughout his writing in Lysistrata. On top of this, generals from each country come into conflict regularly, causing various wars. These major themes which Aristophanes discusses are everywhere and from his writing people can learn about these issues, connecting them with concepts from the present. Lysistrata is quite an amazing piece of work and represents numerous critiques for people to learn from. But, it’s all Greek to

me.