During the time of the Athenians back in the fifth century, stereotypes were prominent amongst men and women, specifically amongst time of war. Aristophanes’ Lysistrata is a comedic play during the Peloponnesian War that is ripe with these stereotypes, providing further insight into the timeliness of human sexuality, desire, and the war of the sexes. The traditional role of women and their appetites during this time period was humorous compared to the duties of men. Women enjoyed parties, having their domestic jobs, and were interested in love and wine. Their one means to power was their beauty. In the play, Aristophanes presents Lysistrata as a powerful female character, however in reality her power is obtained because of the masculine role she exemplifies. At the beginning of the play, Lysistrata right away shows masculine features by discussing the war, something females
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She stereotypes her own women by saying maybe they would care about the war if she had called for a festival for the god of Dionysus, a celebration with wine and drunkenness. Calling together a party for dancing, drinking, and sexual desires would immediately draw the women in, but an important topic about peace for their country would be near impossible. Like men, Lysistrata is prioritizing the war but is angered that the other women aren’t doing the same. She ironically is ashamed that none of the women will stand up against the stereotypes of the women created by their husbands, when in turn she is also stereotyping the women just as the men have done. Lysistrata even goes as far to say, “I’m ashamed to be a woman,” belittling the women and their lack of male characteristics. From the start, the audience is shown that Lysistrata is separated from her sex and plays a different role than the other women of the play. Lysistrata claims to despise the labels given to her gender by the men, but then exploits the women as sexual creatures. In her quest for change, Lysistrata requests that
She stereotypes her own women by saying maybe they would care about the war if she had called for a festival for the god of Dionysus, a celebration with wine and drunkenness. Calling together a party for dancing, drinking, and sexual desires would immediately draw the women in, but an important topic about peace for their country would be near impossible. Like men, Lysistrata is prioritizing the war but is angered that the other women aren’t doing the same. She ironically is ashamed that none of the women will stand up against the stereotypes of the women created by their husbands, when in turn she is also stereotyping the women just as the men have done. Lysistrata even goes as far to say, “I’m ashamed to be a woman,” belittling the women and their lack of male characteristics. From the start, the audience is shown that Lysistrata is separated from her sex and plays a different role than the other women of the play. Lysistrata claims to despise the labels given to her gender by the men, but then exploits the women as sexual creatures. In her quest for change, Lysistrata requests that