The hyper sexualization of women is prominent in all of history and even displayed in Lysistrata. Woman are often seen as materialistic objects rather than as people. For a majority of history, women were merely used as a means creating offspring, maids, or for sex. It would very rare occurrences in which they would fit outside this stereotype. The sexual objectification of women is clearly foreshadowed to due to the fact that in order to prove a point, they refused to have sex with their husbands. In this Greek tragedy, the Peloponnesian War is ravaging regions of Greece and the main protagonist wishes to put an end to it; eventually coming to the agreement with the other women to withhold sexual privileges. In a way, the husbands felt obligated to listen to what the band of women had to say in order to please their sexual desires. Since they can't the attention that they desire, they are left in a culture shock. And at the conclusion at the play, the men ultimately listen to the women and call for a truce amongst all of the regions. Thus suggesting that women are only needed for sexual practices and that if the objectification of women is withdrawn, men will do whatever it takes to it that way once again.
The political cartoon shown above visual creates the theme of men often objectifying and hyper sexualizing women. Instead of seeing the women as something more like a future president or doctor, they are just an object, which in the end are at the disposal of the man. Whether it's the the year 2016 or 411 BCE deeming women as objects is clearly displayed in all mass media.
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ReplyDeleteIsn't it ironic how the women hated being sexualized, yet used they use this stereotype to get what they wanted? Like the image shows, they are merely objects in the male world. When their sexuality is magnified, the men become even more engaged. The women knew this, and used it against them.
ReplyDeleteVery ironic indeed! It's disgusting how often women are objectified within society. Recently, I read a comment stating how women are never viewed in the context of establishing a friendship, like you would view someone of the same gender for example. The opposite sex is usually viewed as a means of consumption.
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