nsidered naturally submissive as in most other old cultures. This is somewhat understandable as women were the ones who bore children and men provided for the family unit. As time progressed, this stereotype was over emphasized into what is portrayed in these plays and poems. Despite this submissive image, Greek women were not considered nave, but a pleasurable if a bit foolish kind of a creature. In Aristophane’s play, Lysistrata, this concept is amply portrayed. Most of the women are portrayed, as impulsive individuals while men are carnal gluttons. Notwithstanding this facet of their image women could also be wily as Medea and Lysistrata: “What is more, you were born a woman, And women, though most helpless in doing good deeds, Are of every evil the cleverest of contrives”The deceitful female is epitomized by the character of Aphrodite in Euripidies’s Hippolytus. Due to having her altar neglected (as in the case of Psyche) she plotted to bring ruin to Hippolytus and all those who loved him. At the end of the play, Artemis plots revenge against Aphrodite (also called Cypris) saying:“Hush, that is enough! You shall not be unavenged,Cypris shall find the angry shafts she hurlsAgainst you for you’re your piety and innocenceShall cost her dear.I’ll wait until she loves a mortal next time,And with this hand—with these unerring arrowsI’ll punish him.”Thus it is not only the mortal women who are vindictive, but it is the very nature of womankind To be passively wicked. One of the few exceptions to the image of the submissive Greek woman were the Amazons. The Amazons were a race of mythical warrior women who were completely dedicated to their work. When they reached maturity, they burned off one of their breasts to make archery easier, and dominated what men they kept. Their male children were killed and only the girls were kept. Artemis the huntress and her followers also defied t...
