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Lysistrata

Lysistrata In the midst of a war, the question of its purpose and legitimacy arise. In Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, the protagonist, Lysistrata, revolts against the trivial Spartan and Athenian war that lasts for more than two decades and persuades other women to strike against the men by taking an oath of celibacy until the soldiers put down their arms. Aristophanes, using several scenes, advocates his desire for the bloodshed to cease by satirizing the folly of the war and making its supporters, the men, look foolish. Aristophanes uses irony to convey his feelings about the war and get his audience to change. In the opening scene, Lysistra tells her plan to Calonice saying that Greece will "be saved by women." Ironically, Calonice, a woman, wittily comments that "its [Greece] salvation hangs on a poor thread" implying that women cannot end the war. Lysistrata informs her that they will stop the war by looking beautiful in transparent silk gowns. This lifesaving plan is ironic. Equally ironic, the senseless war is ended with the foolish plan emphasizing the foolishness of the Spartan and Athenian war. The mere fact that provocative clothing can end a twenty-year-old war ridicules the war's silliness by proving that the men who toss their swords on the ground after a few days of celibacy have no reason to fight. If the war was important, the men would resist the women and explain the cause they are fighting. Not only does Aristophanes utilize irony in scenes to transform political attitudes, but he also uses humorous satire. During the sex boycott, one of Lysistrata's followers, Myrrhine, seduces her husband, Cinesias, stalling the entire time to heighten his desire so he will commit to peace. However, when Myrrhine asks if he will, his reply is "I'll think about it" so she runs away leaving him "in torment." The fact that Cinesias will say anything in order to have sex satirizes men's weaknesses. In addition, the scene foreshadows the other men's reactions as they fight to sign the peace treaty so they can return home with their wives and end the oath. Lysistrata turns a fatuous idea into a reality. During the long and destructive Peloponnesian War thousands of men died for no reason. The women of Greece in Lysistrata make the soldiers realize that the bloodshed is pointless and get them to submit, go home, and enjoy life with their families. However, this is not what happened in reality. Since the majority of citizens did not criticize the war, Aristophanes attempts to transform their attitude by advocating a change. Furthermore, Aristophanes utilizes a variety of irony and satire, modifying the audience's view of the Spartan and Athenian war. Bibliography:

Word Count: 445