Lysistrata

It’s always fun to read a fictional tale based loosely around true events. A lot of times writers use this strategy to shed light on on their point-of-view in a neutral manner. These clever writers are good at seeping their ideas subtly into other peoples minds. Aristophanes, being even more clever, uses this technique along with a comedy; what’s a better way to condition a persons thought process than to make them laugh along?
It is quite apparent that he does not like the ongoing Peloponnesian War going on at the time. He cleverly devises a classic old comedy complete with it’s sexual jokes and comical encounters between the opposite sexes to lull his audience into having anti-war sentiments. He names his protagonist (and the play) Lysistrata, which is derived from a word that means “loosening the army” (Behind the Name).

Through the comedy, Aristophanes manages to highlight important points as to why a war is not good for either of the parties involved. Βy means of the women, the least “intelligent” of the Greek Society, he identifies how a war between former allies is leading to a wipe out of their strong men, giving rise to the women population which are not so good for the economy as they don’t really work and hence overall leading to a weaker Sparta and Athens. In the end, he portrays “Peace” as a young, naked and extremely beautiful girl. I’m not sure how this was portrayed in the actual play, as they didn’t have women actors, but still the imagery sure would have made the men fantasize about peace.

"Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Lysistrata." Behind the Name: 

                               the Meaning, Etymology and History of First Names. Web. 19 Mar.

                               2011. <http://www.behindthename.com/name/lysistrata>.