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22 Cards in this Set
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the lysistrata
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women won't have sex with husbands until they stop the war. least bizarre of Aristophanes' plays. many had animal costumes. have 11 of his plays. most currency on the stage. performed at end of 5th century. (then seen as unacceptable, came back in the 20s version- highly edited. comeback in the 60s.
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pre-Christian literature
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men were the intended audience members. The Lysistrata is the most accessible of his comedies. his genre is extremely topical- satire of politics of the time
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Old Comedy
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5th century B.C. satirical. playwright's job=tell life how we live it.
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everyone required to see these festivals
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play wasn't shocking because of its sexual content because
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they didn't view sex as sin. (pre-Christian faith)
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not shocking that women had power.
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why was it controversial?
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it's anti war! has a sub-text about political corruption! (officials stealing from the treasury)
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the gov. funded it
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and it criticized the gov!
*a unique moment in history. |
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Changes in Athens
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one of the last of the Old Comedies.
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his political stance
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cultural conservative (why can't we be like we were in the good old days? things have changed for the worst.)
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Persian War
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beginning of the 5th century. Iranians try to become dominant power, defeated by Greek city-states (esp. Athens and Sparta working together* like the women in this play) makes Athens powerful. reflected in Lysistrata.
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Spartans
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the enemies at this time
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Aristophanes was saying
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this is what's going on and it's wrong. it's sending the nation down the wrong path. the war destroyed democracy. he was right.
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rare
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playwright was able to publicly express an opposing view.
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when, in America, did satire become acceptable?
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the 70s. Nixon's Watergate scandal
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Aristophanes is criticizing people
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and using their real names!
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this play isn't about the empowerment of women!
not about women's rights. |
it mocked women. it was a drag show, meant to be funny. padded costumes, funny wigs. females talking dirty.
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wants to make point about ending war.
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in a free-for-all style, no structure.
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comic sketch example
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she keeps leaving to get bedding or something to keep him from getting sex. a sex farce. common in improv troops. good comic set up and timing
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why does he use sex to make his point?
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even the women know gov is corrupt! If were women know the war is wrong, how stupid can you be to not realize it?
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subconsciously see women wanting sex
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male fantasy play. male view of sexualized women. usually see women as repressed, but not in this play
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comedy
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life now, very specific. respected like tragedy. some playwrights wrote both.
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