9/15 Lysistrata (#3a)

Stereotypes
There are an abundance of female stereotypes, no more or less than men. Some of the stereotypes for women are less than accurate others borderline truth. Feminine stereotypes can include mischief, less responsible, a lesser intelligence and the desire to manipulate men through whatever means available.

Aristophanes also addresses many female stereotypes in his play Lysistrata. Stereotypes he included as accurate were a woman’s desire for mischief and the will and ability to manipulate men and their husbands.
First, if running away from home, neglecting their family and their husbands could be considered mischief than the plague most definitely encourages the idea of mischief seeking women. For this is exactly what the women do in Aristophanes play.
Second, this behavior ties directly into the second stereotype encouraged by Aristophanes play, that is manipulating men. By running away and neglecting their families and refusing to lie with their husbands the women of Aristophanes play intend to force the men to give up their war and seek peace.

In addition, Lysistrata addresses and contradicts many other female stereotypes first mentioned. Two of these stereotypes that are contradicted include the idea that women are less responsible and the idea that women have less intelligence.
First, women’s responsibility is addressed by Kaonike. When Lysistrata explains it is up to the women to find the “ salvation of all Greece” and end the war (723). Kaonike Less assured replies “that’s hardly reassuring!” having little faith in her and other women’s ability (723). Kaonike is proven wrong when Lysistrata’s plan for the women to end war succeeds, proving their ability to hold responsibility.
Second, the notion that women have less intelligence. This idea is debunked in the play When their intentions succeed And culminates when Lysistrata proclaims she is proud to work with a group of women that have “got intelligence and heart” as well as “patriotic and smarts” (736).

Sadly Aristophanes’ play did not have the overwhelming impact he likely desired.
If his desire was to win the rights of women it was not accomplished in his day. Later, it could be said that Lysistrata influenced ideas about women’s rights but it would be a long time in coming.
If, it was Aristophanes desire to end the war and draw leaders to seek peace then he failed as well. For the war dragged on for seven more years until Athens fell.

A Women in Power
Lysistrata displayed many masculine traits among them strong will and great leadership. It is not my intention to say these are not feminine attributes ,but for the sake of conversation let me continue.
First, Lysistrata displays a strong will. Lysistrata is determined and bent on her goal of ending war. She will do anything to meet her goal.
Second, Lysistrata has a strong ability to lead a group of people. Not only is she able to rally a group together ,but she is able to motivate them. When the group begins to falter or stray from its goal she is able to hold the line and encourage others, leading by example.

Personal Response
My response to the play, first, consisted of a blank stare, a open mouth and often hard laughter. Now I know where MTV gets its influences from... Greek comedies. I enjoyed the play very much finding it entertaining and illuminating. I had no idea the Greeks spoke like this. I had been familiar with the violent and gruesome language of the “Iliad” ,but was not aware of their perverse and hilarious
dirty mouths.

When responding to the play my second thought was, the women of the play, with the exception of Lysistrata, tended to have no confidence in themselves. The lack of confidence is a less impressive attribute. It is likely that’s since men thought so little of women, women likely thought less of themselves. I would liked to speak to a woman of that time and heard her reaction to play, if it was liberating, motivating or an unrealistic fantasy.

Finally, I found Lysistrata herself to be an interesting character to say the least. Her strong will and blunt speech was very entertaining. Her metaphors that compared women’s labor and responsibilities too decision-making and ruling were interesting.