Throughout the play we see Lysistrata as a woman who stands up for what she wants and isn't afraid to speak her mind, and even to the end she remains this way. It says a lot about her when the Kinesias say "Let's send for Lysistrata. Only she can reconcile our differences." (page 100) This part at the end of the play shows how people relied on Lysistrata and valued her and her personality. Lysistrata finally get what she deserves and has been wanting the entire play. She knows how to play her cards right and knew exactly how to use them to get what she and the other women wanted. When she is talking to the Spartans she uses strong language and a powerful tone to get her point across. For example she says "Well, now that I've got you, I intend to give you hell, and I'm perfectly right." (pg. 102) Lysistrata wants them to know that it isn't a game to her and that she's not going to back down. By addressing both parties, Lysistrata is able to find a medium between the two parties.
Lysistrata could be seen as a role model for girls and women of today. A lot of mothers would like their daughters and themselves to be seen as strong, independent, and smart individuals. They want them to have the mindset that they can do anything and accomplish all their goals with hard work. They want them to see that things are not as bad as in the past where women cannot do the same thing as males. They also want to break gender stereotypes and roles. Lysistrata was a great play to read because it shows females that they can accomplish what they want if they have enough courage to.
Below is a link to the commercial from the brand Always that was used in our women's history month assembly. I chose this commercial because it really defines how some people see females in the world and it's a shame. i think that if more people actually see this commercial their views may differ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs
Women are constantly being stereotyped and placed into a box of inferiority, this play however displays women's strength in a positive way. Summer had mentioned that Lysistrata was a positive role model for women and helps girls continue on in their journey for equality. The play illustrates females determination and agility for what they believe in, and what they believe is right. Even though women are thought of as problem seekers Lysistrata proved that they are the ones who fixed the problems set before them. Women can do harm but they can also solve the wolds problem. The problem that still surrounds us is men with the stereotypical mindset of women. Lysistrata had shown these men's what women were made of, and they feared the power that women could posses. Lysistrata was a strong women who did more than just lead an army.
ReplyDeleteThis play would most likely be considered radical and progressive considering the time period it was written. Aristophanes tastefully brought awareness to the citizens of Greece about the injustice brought upon women and pointed out their values and strengths. Since it is a comedy, this concept is more smoothly digested in a patriarchal society.
ReplyDeleteAristophanes definitely created a leader for all women when writing the play Lysistrata. Instead of displaying women as the inferior gender, he gave her the strength and wits to outsmart men. This is sort of ironic being as all characters and writers at the time were male.
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