Literary Analysis Essay on Lysistrata

Introduction

The setting of the play takes place in the city of Athens. At the time of the play in 411 BCE, the events taking place at the time were a long war. The war was better known as the Peloponnesian war was between Athens and Sparta. The play took place at the time when Athens was facing difficulty and defeat. There was a massacre at Sicily which led to the loss of its fleet. It was at this moment when people, so too it that it was time to make peace because they had lost enough people. Lysistrata is affected in the play and together with other women of Athens resolve to take action by forcing their men to end the war. The men, however, were not inspired by Aristophanes' play; therefore, the war keeps dragging on.

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The play is significant because it offers Lysistratra a chance to restore order after the war. She got a chance to explain herself to the magistrate about frustrations and problems women have been going through due to the war. It illustrates how men's decisions can influence society. Men did not respect decisions made by women, yet it was women and children who suffered the most during the war. The play also opens up on people's feelings during that particular time in history. At that point, in time, frustrations from the wars had prompted women to take an approach that could change men's opinion. The play is also significant because it portrays Athenian sexuality through its erection jokes.

Who are the primary characters of the play and what roles do they serve in the plot?

The primary characters in the play are magistrate, Lysistrata, older men, and women. The play begins with Lysistratra calling for women to withhold sexual privileges to their men. The role of women in the play is to begin a revolution that would eventually convince men to change their mind and end the war. The chorus songs from older women is a sign of readiness for revolution. Women were successful in taking over the Acropolis area since men were no longer in a position to fund the war. The magistrate is part of characters in the play, reflecting on how women of Athens were naturally engaged in promiscuity, wine, and exotic cults. The magistrate, however, further goes ahead to blame men for not taking charge of their women.

Lysistrata, who is the main character of the play, is the lead character whose role is to explain frustrations that women were going through during the war. She explains how men's activities and decisions had left them in anguish and pain. She believes that Athens would be in a good position if women ruled it. The magistrate was dressed up as a woman and a corpse in their attempt to illustrate how women in power were better than that of men.

In your own words, what is the plot of the play?

The plot of the play illustrates how women attempt to end the war was skillful, yet it failed in the end. The women first plan of withholding task is the beginning of an uprising and revolution against men. The second plan of taking over of acropolis by older women is enough evidence that women when united, can bring change. Women, therefore, got powers in their hands to run a country.

The climax part of the play is when women's actions were able to force men to change their mind. The sad story is that there was a downfall in Lysistrata's plan because the women could not hold up to their pledge. The women could not hold up and continue denying sex to men. They were thirsty and eventually gave in, therefore allowing men to have sex. The end of the play ends with finding a resolution to find peace when the two groups singing choruses decided to negotiate. Lysistrata forces the ambassadors to end the war and hold peace negotiations.

What role does gender play in Lysistrata?

Women deciding to withhold sex from men shows that they can be in control. In the play, women are seen as underdogs and could drive their points through criticism of men. The play shows how, under average and typical homes, women are seen to be in charge of home-keeping while men are protectors and providers. Women staying at home taking care of children while men going to war represents a typical gender role.

The play also shows how society encourages men to be strong and aggressive while women are supposed to be humble and down to heart. The gender roles and expectations inform the audience on how stereotypes in society take shape in the play. The characters in the play take roles that resemble how society is shaped. Women are not supposed to be aggressive; that is why their decision to revolt against men is seen to be against societal norms.

Do you think this is a feminist work?

Yes, the play explains best about feminism. The play demonstrates empathy because of the conditions in which women were living in. It also shows how society continues to sexually stereotype women as only people who should be protected while reserved to only engage in domestic work. Women are portrayed as individuals who should not engage in running the country's affairs. Feminism is an idea and movement that ensure that women get equal opportunities in society. The play took part at the time when women were not allowed to vote; therefore, it gave men powers and opportunities to find other places where they could satisfy themselves after sexual withholding from their women.

There are gender battles witnessed in the play, whereby it indicates how roles in society are reserved, and men were only allowed to behave in specific ways. Women champion for equality in society still faces challenges from women themselves who cannot yield to pledges. Lysistrata's strong believe in standing on what she believed in gives room to be respected. The play is an early example that those who champion for women rights get a chance to be respected by men.