Gender Roles In Lysistrata By Aristophanes - 1863 Words

Aristophanes paved the way for comedy and how it would be viewed by citizens in ancient Greece. By incorporating satire and comedy, Aristophanes portrayed the social and political climate of the time. More specifically, Lysistrata, a play by Aristophanes, gives insight into the role women have in the Athenian society. The theme of gender roles in the play, Lysistrata, has evolved to parallel the social norm of feminism by women today. Lysistrata is a satirical comedy and portrays the women are at odds with man regarding several different matters, most notably the waging war on itself. The role Aristophanes embellishes within the characters are reversed between man and woman. The women, who were largely subservient to the needs and whims of†¦show more content†¦However, we cannot know for certain if women attended the religious festivals because there was no way of recording who was in attendance. Though, women were treated very differently from men, Aristophanes promotes the fact that women are capable of the same things as a man in the play Lysistrata. In nearly every conflict between man and woman portrayed in Lysistrata, the women emerge victorious. This is especially significant since women can assert themselves and impose their will on man. Traditionally, men are the ones who possess this behavior and force women to be at their ever will. Yet, there are many instances in this play when these roles are opposite occurring, which is further evidence that Aristophanes has switched the characteristics of the genders. One instance from the text is when the men and women choruses are speaking to each other at the Acropolis. â€Å"All you fellow citizens, we’ll start to give the city good advice and rightly, since it raised us splendidly†¦ I was born a woman, but don’t hold that against me if I introduce a plan to make our present situation better. For I make contributions to the state—I give birth to men. You miserable old farts, you contribute nothing! (Aristophanes 42-43). Furthermore, this quote portrays the control taken by the women when they take the Acropolis and fend of the chorus of oldShow MoreRelatedThe Gender Roles Of Men And Women1243 Words   |  5 PagesThe gender roles of men and women were quite different in pre-20th-century drama. In his play Lysistrata, Aristophanes creates a world to bring about his thoughts on the Peloponnesian war with the comedic relief of gender role reversal. The women in his play are not necessarily the way women of his time were, but more of what men thought they were as well as what men feared or fantasized women could be like. Through action and dialogue, the play shows examples of several different types of womenRead MoreLysistrat An Anti War Comedy1363 Words   |  6 PagesPeloponnesian War, Lysistrata was first performed in Athens in 411 BCE. 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