The metaphor of sewing and weaving is considered cliché and
banal in today’s society. However, back in the Greek ancient times, it was original.
Lysistrata applies a series of extended
metaphors throughout the play that give a sense of togetherness while proving
the women’s capabilities. When the commissioner questions her about her plans,
and how she will “set them straight” (60), she responds by saying “simplicity
itself” (60). Lysistrata continues her wool metaphor in which she compares wool
to the whole city; she believes the city should be cleansed of burs. These burs
represent the bad men and corruption that takes over the city. The many flaws
in the “wool” symbolize the flaws in their society. She cleanses the fleece by
removing “corruption, offal, and sheepdip” (61). The “lumps that clump and
cluster in knots and snarls to snag important posts” (61) is a reference by
Aristophanes to the politicians who conspire in order to get each other
elected- something that Lysistrata will not stand for. 
The city needs to be detoxed of this corruption. The
commissioner thinks her wool metaphor is silly, however something must be done
before the city is turned to shambles. The long tedious process of beating the
wool exemplifies the complicity of the problem- yet she is still willing to
attack it. These analogies also aid to her point: the women will be fully
capable of fixing these political situations because their domestic duties have
given them strong reasoning and problem solving skills. If they become one unit
and stand by their idea, the city can be great again.
I think Aristophanes also uses wool as a metaphor because sewing is a duty typically assigned to women. He lets Lysistrata develop a mundane task men force upon her into an interesting metaphor used to attack men as a whole. It is interesting how the women also use the need to sew and mend as an excuse to return to their husbands to have sex. This shows the women's awareness of their position in society, but also their way to use it to benefit themselves. In the play, women are willing to comply with stereotypes in order to get their way.
ReplyDeleteThe wool metaphor works extremely well in helping to explain the women's plan in such a simple way. I thought your quote worked well with the entirety of the play because it seems like something Lysistrata would advicate. The whole point of the play is for the women to put and end to the war by fighting their men--an exact relation the the quote.
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