Lysistrata

Lysistrata Women
In the beginning of this piece, the women are empowered and are willing to fight for the peace of Greece. Once convinced that enabling peace was a very important thing to the women, they were willing to make a sacrifice, no matter how large. This dedication can be seen within the words of Myrrhine, "... though I must be split in two like a flat-fish, and have half myself removed," she was willing to take part in Lysistrata's plan. The women are ready to take action and do what it takes to have their men be at peace. This is rather consistent with women in the Greek culture back then because, they more than likely were extremely lonesome and in need of their husbands companionship and love. Another way that this is consistent with the women of this time in Greece is because, they were very strong. Being that this culture was war inundated, the women became more war minded. Just as their husbands were fighting for something they so strongly believed in, the women were ready to do the same. In this beginning the women were depicted as strong and committed. Once they found out exactly what they were to sacrifice, things took a turn in the opposite direction. They women were portrayed to be longing for their husbands and their return. They wanted to go back to their homes, take care of their children and share a bed with their husbands. Although I think that there are alot of similarities with Lysistrata of Greece and women in today's world, I also think that when compared to a woman in the 21st century dealing with a man threatening to abuse her, instead of being controlled and manipulated, Lysistrata does not back down. Another way that I think she defy's the stereotypes women hold is her honesty. For example, in the beginning she is vulnerable with the women and explains that she desires to change the ways of the female race. Lysistrata blushes for her sex and asks the women a question: "Don't you feel sad and sorry because the fathers of your children are far away from you with the army?" Many women in today's world do not like to be vulnerable.

Greek Culture
When reading Lysistrata, many cultural values are revealed. Something that the men within the Greek culture valued was victory in war. Also, according to the bottom of page 13, we discover than money is something that is valued. It is of great value to administer the treasury which explains the 2 page argument held between Magistrate and Lysistrata. The last cultural importance I would like to discuss is the value of the gods. Although the women were the ones who so deliberately manipulated the men, credit or in the men's case, anger was given to the Greek goddess, Aphrodite. This is consistent to the Greek culture in that, the gods and goddesses were in able to make things happen as they so desired. The value of victory in war is not only seen within Lysistrata but also the actual culture of Greece. War was something extremely valuable to the Ancient World.

Personal Response
I am glad that you gave us the chance to share our personal response. I think that the play was extremely worldly and did a great job (unintentionally) at not only depicting the ways of the world back in ancient times, but unfortunately this play did a good job depicting the ways of fallen man in the 21st century. While reading, it was difficult not to be excited for the women to step up and take action but, I believe that it showed that the women were just as sex hungry as the men. Although when married it is extremely important to have intimacy with your husband, the mentality taken on by the women was that of control. I disagree with the way the women went about making the men gain peace. There were characteristics within Lysistrata that I value, for example, her ability to lead women to take action for something they believe in, also her courage, but once again, her mind was warped along with the other characters within this piece. Sex is not something that you use as a means to manipulate and control your spouse. Towards the end, I like to believe that the husbands and wives were longing to be with one another aside from just sexual pleasure but rather to be united and exemplify faithfulness and unity within marriage.... I am not exactly convinced though!