Kelsey Hubbard
Maureen Hawkins
English 2200
February 28, 2017
Dance, Drink, and Coitus: Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
In the plays of ancient Athens were topical reflections on the politics of the times, and according to Worthen, such relevancy was particularly present in satiric comedies (13). The works of Greek playwright Aristophanes were no exception in this regard. As Klaus et al. points out, Aristophanes lived and wrote his plays in turbulent times, and that perhaps influenced his literature most prominently in his peace-promoting comedy Lysistrata (94-95). In Lysistrata, a small albeit significant sample of props remain tied within the script itself, resisting the same fate as so many other finite details of ancient theatre which have simply …show more content…
With the wine bowl being a replacement for both a blood sacrifice or an oath on a shield, Aristophanes expresses a preference for the benign, rather than the brutal. So too does his play present a criticism against war with the usage of Athena’s shield to emphasise the sexual, reproductive, and familial emptiness that exists in war. The lewd statue of Reconciliation is the manifestation of the opposing side of humanity’s violent nature, the one that champions sexual desire, indulgement, and fulfillment. Further support for this can be found at the play’s finale, which sports depictions of drunkenness, dancing, singing, and assumed sexual gratification after the prior sexual famine. These activities form the very basis, aspects, and definition of merriment, which metaphorically triumphs over brutality in each case of the afore-mentioned props appearing. Amongst the final festivities, the commissioner even states that “A sober man’s an ass, … [and] the only efficient Ambassador’s a drunk Ambassador” (136). As an Ambassador is a diplomat who often seeks to promote peace, this quote by the commissioner couldn’t be clearer on the play’s political position. With all this in mind, it may be that Aristophanes’ advice to his audience was in short to get a little drunk, have a lot of sex, and enjoy life beyond just the mundane and
Maureen Hawkins
English 2200
February 28, 2017
Dance, Drink, and Coitus: Aristophanes’ Lysistrata
In the plays of ancient Athens were topical reflections on the politics of the times, and according to Worthen, such relevancy was particularly present in satiric comedies (13). The works of Greek playwright Aristophanes were no exception in this regard. As Klaus et al. points out, Aristophanes lived and wrote his plays in turbulent times, and that perhaps influenced his literature most prominently in his peace-promoting comedy Lysistrata (94-95). In Lysistrata, a small albeit significant sample of props remain tied within the script itself, resisting the same fate as so many other finite details of ancient theatre which have simply …show more content…
With the wine bowl being a replacement for both a blood sacrifice or an oath on a shield, Aristophanes expresses a preference for the benign, rather than the brutal. So too does his play present a criticism against war with the usage of Athena’s shield to emphasise the sexual, reproductive, and familial emptiness that exists in war. The lewd statue of Reconciliation is the manifestation of the opposing side of humanity’s violent nature, the one that champions sexual desire, indulgement, and fulfillment. Further support for this can be found at the play’s finale, which sports depictions of drunkenness, dancing, singing, and assumed sexual gratification after the prior sexual famine. These activities form the very basis, aspects, and definition of merriment, which metaphorically triumphs over brutality in each case of the afore-mentioned props appearing. Amongst the final festivities, the commissioner even states that “A sober man’s an ass, … [and] the only efficient Ambassador’s a drunk Ambassador” (136). As an Ambassador is a diplomat who often seeks to promote peace, this quote by the commissioner couldn’t be clearer on the play’s political position. With all this in mind, it may be that Aristophanes’ advice to his audience was in short to get a little drunk, have a lot of sex, and enjoy life beyond just the mundane and