¶ … gender roles in Ancient Greece, as portrayed in Lysistrata
Gender roles in Ancient Greece are at the core of Aristophanes' work of drama entitled Lysistrata. This play takes place during the critical time period in which the Peloponnesian War has devastated a significant part of Greece. It is largely satirical in its depiction of gender roles, and portrays men and women at odds with one another regarding a number of different matters, most notably the waging of the war itself. In many ways, the conventional roles ascribed to each gender are reversed within Lysistrata. The women, who were largely subservient to the needs and whims of the men, are more assertive and proactive, while the men are oftentimes foiled by and subjected to the volition of the women. Interestingly enough, the author manages to intersect this satirical portrayal of gender roles with an anti-war sentiment that animates the women and fuels their desires for most of the play. Nonetheless, by reversing the behaviors and characteristics ascribed to each gender, Aristophanes manages to allude to the fact that women actually played a more substantial role in Greek society and its culture than that for which they are frequently given credit.
The titular character perhaps best illustrates the thesis of this document and demonstrates that within this work of literature, the characteristics conventionally imputed to men are given to women. Although she has limited experience in politics and in social affairs, she manages to successfully organize large groups of women throughout Greece and achieve what many men failed to do during the course of the Peloponnesian War -- namely end it. Perhaps even more significant is the fact that Lysistrata is able to actually help negotiate the terms of the armistice which ends the fighting. Quite frequently, these responsibilities would require a man's judgment and decision-making skills, yet Lysistrata is able to take decisive action in a way befitting of the best of men. The subsequent quotation, which is her prelude to issuing the terms of the peace treaty, alludes to this fact. "I am a woman, but I have a mind/That wasn't so bad to start with, and I got / A first class education listening / To Father and the elders year on year. I shall now do what's right…" (Aristophanes 64-65). This passage definitely is suggestive of the degree of parity that exists between men and women. In this quotation, Lysistrata acknowledges the fact that despite her gender, she has the necessary tools (including her "mind" and a somewhat unconventional "education") to settle the war and delineate various territorial boundaries on the map. Her role in issuing out the terms of the peace is certainly that which is typically fulfilled by a man, yet the author alludes to the fact that an educated, intelligent woman can do the same job. Furthermore, this notion is sanctioned by the fact that Lysistrata's intellectual prowess was actually honed by men "Father" and "the elders." By having Lysistrata act as the leader between different warring factions of Greece, Aristophanes is suggesting that women are more intelligent and capable than they were generally perceived as within ancient Greek culture.
In virtually every conflict between a man and a woman (or between groups of men and women) portrayed within this play, the women emerge victorious. This fact is extremely significant because it illustrates the notion that women can not only assert themselves, but also enforce their own volitions -- even against men. Traditionally, of course, men are the ones who are assertive and force women to do their bidding. Yet there are a number of conflicts in this tale in which the opposite occurrence takes place, which is further proof that Aristophanes has switched the characteristics of the genders in this work. One of the most salient examples of the triumph and assertion of women occurs when the Chorus of Old Women storms the Akropolis, takes control of it, and succeeds in fending off a Chorus of Old Men. When threatened by the Chorus of Old Men which is armed with flaming torches, the women's chorus leader responds with:
"Help, River God!." (The women empty one set of pitchers over the men).
Men's Chorus Leader: Hell!
Women's Chorus Leader: Oh, was that too hot? (The women make use of auxiliary pitchers) (Aristophanes 24).
This passage shows that not only do the women...
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