In the play "Lysistrata," the women band together as an elite force against the men who have always been in control of society. They are tired of the war at hand and the fact that their men are constantly taken away to fight. They wish that their husbands would abstain from war and come back home. In order to solve this issue, their loyalty to each other must stay strong and they have to be willing to sacrifice for the greater good.
As we know, the Greeks were huge believers in loyalty to their country and to each other. This play takes this idea to a new level. Lysistrata is able to bring women from all over the country together. Lysistrata tells the men "We have four battalions behind us- full-armed combat infantrywomen" (pg 50). Even though these women seem to come from all walks of life, they agree to sacrifice and stick together until the problem is solved. Each women agreed to a lengthy pledge that was stated in the book. "I will withhold all rights of access or entrance from every husband, lover, or casual acquaintance who moves in my direction in erection" (pg 32). This is definitely a struggle for many of these women, but they feel it is their duty to stick together as a unit. As they play goes on and the men realize that they have a rebellion on their hands, the women still stick together defending each other and their rights. The women were part of an early feminist movement that keeps them motivated to reach new standards. Loyalty like this is not often seen in today's day and age.
Loyalty gets people a long way. The "infantrywomen" quote is a great example of this because it shows that with numerous voices fighting the same battle things can and will be accomplished. It also shows the women that they too are fighting for a cause.
ReplyDeleteIt is true that the women are sacrificing for the greater good, as Kleonike puts it, " to give up SEX- there's nothing like it" (26). This is pleasureful for both men and women. As for loyalty, the women of each state must be faithful to each other and fulfill their promise, the plan only works if all states participates.
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