Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Lysistrata

by Aristophanes, Sarah Ruden (Translator)

3.82 of 5 stars 3.82 · rating details · 13,623 ratings · 272 reviews

Aristophanes' comic masterpiece of war and sex remains one of the greatest plays ever written. Led by the title character, the women of the warring city-states of Greece agree to withhold sexual favours with their husbands until they agree to cease fighting. The war of the sexes that ensues makes Lysistrata a comedy without peer in the history of theatre.

Paperback, 126 pages

Published March 1st 2003 by Hackett Publishing Company (first published -411)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Best Banned and/or Censored Books (or Worst to Have Banned)

70th out of 401 books — 1,478 voters

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

Best Plays Ever

32nd out of 450 books — 512 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Mar 29, 2013 Praj rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: phanes

It had been quite awhile since I contemplated over any books let alone penning a critical appraisal on Goodreads. It was tough trying to get words out of the overwhelming emotional vortex; an obstinate ketchup bottle ignoring the need of a fried potato for the tangy goodness. So, when Brian suggested a group reading of Lysistrata, I was a bit apprehensive. A Greek playwright crossing the dreaded course of fallen heroic tragedies; even more remorse to my cerebral coma; not a luxurious indulgence...more

13 likes · like · see review

Nov 21, 2012 Leajk rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: men, women, war monglers, pacifists

Shelves: antiquity, feminism, play-drama

In the introductory note in my edition a Mr. Crofts mentions that the play "is notorious for its racy, almost pornographic humor". I'd say that this seems to be a bit of an overstatement.

Surely it is not that much more racy than say a William Shakespeare play or for that matter The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights? It is really all talk and no action. Surely we as modern readers can handle that? (And would anyone living in 1994, the date of this edition, really consider this...more

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 25, 2011 Mike rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

The Douglass Parker translation is a must read. He captures Aristophanes' audacious sense of humor and hormone-laden anarchy with a rhythmic dialectic filled with clever word play and consistent cultural references - things that seem to be missed too often when a Greek play is reinterpreted in modern English.
Lysistrata is, no doubt, a model for the dominant female characters in today's fiction. She resists subordination by lust, is ready to knock over those who decide to take her by force, and...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 20, 2007 Seth rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I hate this book because I got arrested on account of it. I was at the University of Texas' Perry Castaneda Library and it got lost amidst the shuffled stack of books which I dumped into my backpack when I left.

Exiting the library the sensor went off.

Sorry, I forgot to check it out. No big deal, happens all the time.

But the Department of Collegiate Fascism, aka the UTPD, are required to file a report. Bored from arresting 19-year-olds for walking down the street half drunk they show up like it...more

17 likes · like · see review

Dec 24, 2012 Yuki rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: No one--not this Douglass Parker translation.

Shelves: donate, lost-in-translation

This modern translation is HORRENDOUS! Got it, the Athenians consider the Spartan Lampito a country bumpkin, but I can not read another line of "Shuckins, whut fer you tweedlin'me up so? I feel like a heifer come fair-time." in this CLASSIC drama. Harumph!

Douglass Parker's footnote for *I calklate so" is "In employing a somewhat debased American mountain dialect to render the Laconic Greek of Lampito and her countrymen, I have tried to evoke something like the Athenian attitude toward their pere...more

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 08, 2013 Ian Graye rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Ian by: Bird Brian

Shelves: read-2013, reviews, reviews-3-stars

Lysistrata

Some Greek men, you’ll discover,
Being a lesser lover
Than a renderer of war,
Treat their wives much like a whore.

So one day, Lysistrata,
Equipped with all the data,
Reckoned upon a tactic
To withhold love climactic.

She aimed to end all conflict
With some cohorts she had picked,
To flaunt breasts and nothing hide,
Though, ‘til peace, men were denied.

Males came with their pricks erect,
Revealed for all to inspect,
Still their wives rejected them,
Until war they would condemn.

So the violence did dec...more

18 likes · like · see review

Jan 06, 2009 Antof9 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2004-read, bwa-ha-ha

How entertaining! It wasn't at all what I expected, and I almost laughed out loud at some parts. I couldn't describe it better than the back of the book: "The most famous, bawdy satire of Ancient Greece".

"The women of Greece are weary of the extended war between Athens and Sparta. Led by Lysistrata, they decide to take control of the situation by capturing the Acropolis, seat of Athenian walth, and by going on a sex strike. There is to be no more love-making until peace has been established. Suf...more

like · see review

May 04, 2013 Brian Schiebout rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lysistrata is a comedy written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes and translated into English by Benjamin Rogers. This play was written during the middle of the Peloponessian War after Sparta had managed to destroy the Athenian fleet at Sicily. As a result certain Athenians including Aristophanes started looking for ways to end this seemingly endless war. As a result Aristophanes wrote this satirical comedy where the women of Greece exercise their great power in order to end the war. What to u...more Lysistrata is a comedy written by the Greek playwright Aristophanes and translated into English by Benjamin Rogers. This play was written during the middle of the Peloponessian War after Sparta had managed to destroy the Athenian fleet at Sicily. As a result certain Athenians including Aristophanes started looking for ways to end this seemingly endless war. As a result Aristophanes wrote this satirical comedy where the women of Greece exercise their great power in order to end the war. What to us who have grown up in an era exemplified by women's suffrage, women's lib, and girl power this seizure of power does not seem unusual but to the Athenians of the fifth century BC who truly believed women were inferior it would be a great shock. Remember this is the same time that Socrates is extoling the virtue of man-boy love because women do not have the ability to understand and appreciate the meaningful intellectual and spiritual parts of life. So it is into this environment that Lysistrata, a young beautiful Athenian woman with a noble idea is introduced. Obviously a skilled speaker she manages to convince the women of Athens, the women of Sparta, and the women of Thebes that they are sick of being left to worry and morn while their husbands and sons continually go off to war. As a result she convinces the assorted women that they have the power to refrain from relations with their husbands and has a group of older women seize control of the Athenian Acropolis. This of course leads to many farcical moments as the men in power are shown as fools while most of the women are shown as shallow beings only interested in softness. This is demonstrated by the attitude of Colonice, one of Lysistrata's friends who seems to care only about her cloths and her fine food, a true epicure but hardly the normal revolutionary. After seizing control and making the Athenian magistrate look like a fool, first by dressing him like a woman and then like a corpse, Lysistrata finds the most difficult thing is to keep her love sick women from sneaking back to their hubbies' beds. In Myrrhina, Lysistrata finds her best weapon. This young woman flirts and leads her man on only to leave him high and dry. At about this time ambassadors arrive from Laconia suing for peace which the women have wrought. Nobody is powerless and anyone can have the spirit to do right in them.(less)

like · see review

Jan 24, 2013 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: play

This comedy, originally written in 411 BC, was banned in 1967 in Greece because of its anti-war message. This modern translation by Douglass Parker breathes new life into the story and makes it accessible for all audiences.

The women in Greece decide that they are tired of their men always being away fighting the Peloponnesian War. One woman, Lysistrata, comes up with a brilliant idea and recruits the rest of the women to take part in her plan. They decide as a group to withhold sex from the men...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 09, 2012 Kelsey Jacobs rated it 5 of 5 stars

This has to be the funniest piece of literature from ancient times. Small wonder, seeing as how most teachers only have a limited amount of time to cram in as much "meaningful" stuff as they can. Still, I wasn't expecting this play to be so damn FUNNY.

The humor translates well to a modern audience, props to Sarah Ruden. My teacher had kept saying throughout the quarter, "Just wait 'til we get to the Lysistrata! I think that there is at least one penis joke on every page! Aren't penises funny?" A...more

like · see review

Sep 15, 2010 John E rated it 5 of 5 stars

I didn't read this addition, but my favorite is the Tim Reynolds interpretation which turned the book into a Civil
War comedy instead of the literal Sparta vs Athens conflict.
The Reynolds version was the father of the Broadway Production
Lysistrata.
Overall, it is very silly, and my favorite Aristophanes Comedy. It's a slight bit too phallic, but I still recommend it, with four stars to all.
Just a suggestion... the Aristophanes play "Lady's Day" would
be GREAT for Broadway!! (Title not accurate, the...more

like · see review

Jan 12, 2013 David Sarkies rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comedy

Ignoring the crudeness of the play (and remember that Shakespeare himself was quite crude) and the naked men running around with giant erect peni (is that the plural of penis?) what this play seems to be about is the empowerment of women (which is probably why the feminists love it so much). Mind you the only woman in this play that seems to have the willpower to see it through to the end is Lysistrata herself, but then that is probably why she is the leader. In a way it says something about a...more Ignoring the crudeness of the play (and remember that Shakespeare himself was quite crude) and the naked men running around with giant erect peni (is that the plural of penis?) what this play seems to be about is the empowerment of women (which is probably why the feminists love it so much). Mind you the only woman in this play that seems to have the willpower to see it through to the end is Lysistrata herself, but then that is probably why she is the leader. In a way it says something about a characteristic of leadership, and that is to remain firm on your convictions because you are the one that people look up to, and you are the one who holds everything together, which is why a strong leader is important.
The play was first produced in 411 bc, not necessarily Athen's darkest day (since the final defeat to the Spartans was probably that day) but it was one of them. Basically the Athenians had sent their entire navy off on a little adventure to capture Sicily, and in doing so pretty much lost all of her ships and a bulk of her fighting men. Now Athens was basically defenseless, the Spartans were on her doorstep, and most of her allies had deserted her. It was not a question of victory at any cost any more, but it was a question of trying to bring the war to an end so that Athens would suffer an honourable defeat (not that she had been honourable to any of the cities that she had sacked). Mind you, just like the Athenians had not pressed her advantage when she was on top, Sparta did not press the advantage here either.
The play takes the view that the women are as essential to the functioning of the city as are the men, and in fact Lysistrata pretty much says that it is the women who build the city and the men who then go about destroying it. The reference here is to the fact that the women give birth to the warriors and the men then pretty much send them out to get them killed. In another sense there is also a reference to how the workers work hard to produce the money for the city and the politicians then go on and waste it. I guess this is a reference to the failed Sicilian expedition where most of Athen's fighting power was wiped out on a quest in which the success was dubious at best.
This is not a play where the women hold the men hostage (by going on a sex strike) until the surrender, this is not what was wanted. As mentioned above it was not a quick end to the war that was desired, that could have been arranged by waving the white flag, but an honourable end to the war. This is why Lysistrata brings the Spartan and Theban women into the plan as well, because the idea was to not just starve the Athenian men of sex, but all of the men on both sides of the conflict, in the hope that this would bring them to the negotiating table.
There are a few interesting things that come out of this play, and one of them is the idea that the woman is obsessed with sex. There are a number of references in this play that suggest that this is the case, but then the fact that we have men running around with erect peni also indicates that men are just as obsessed with sex as are the women. However the other odd thing is the idea that a sex strike with the Athenians would work. I was under the impression that to the Athenians (in particular) that sex with women was simply to reproduce where as pleasurable sex was with another man. I guess this is why this play, to the Athenians, would have been so funny, because in reality such a sex strike, at least to the Athenians, would not have worked.(less)

like · see review

Sep 12, 2012 Ken Moten rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Men, Women, ancient Greek misogynist

Shelves: plays

I knew a little bit of the reputation of this book so before I even read it I knew exactly what I was going to say and go at. I was going to talk about the impact this play had on feminist writing and how it brought up important questions in ancient Greece about war and peace, gender equality, and humanity through an (old Greek) comedic lens. (I should also mention that I had just finished reading Antigone, so I was pretty pumped and ready to stand in solidarity with my oppressed women folk and...more I knew a little bit of the reputation of this book so before I even read it I knew exactly what I was going to say and go at. I was going to talk about the impact this play had on feminist writing and how it brought up important questions in ancient Greece about war and peace, gender equality, and humanity through an (old Greek) comedic lens. (I should also mention that I had just finished reading Antigone, so I was pretty pumped and ready to stand in solidarity with my oppressed women folk and burn my proverbial bra with them [never mind that bras don't exist in antiquity ;-)] ).

Then I read the first two pages...holy hell I wasn't ready. Must have been three...four dick jokes on the first two pages alone(don't worry though as more women show up, they become the focus of the title characters examination/observations. And the comments are being made all by women as the women are the protagonist in this play and the men have not shown up yet. My introduction to Aristophanes. Now I am not trying to undercut the impact of this play. The fact that at least one person has won a Nobel Peace Prize by emulating this play says something. But I had to somewhat lower my expectations. I was so use to Greek tragedies that in my mind I was thinking it to be way more serious than it actually was intended. That this play sparks hundreds of conversations about the issues I listed in the first paragraph shows that I am not alone. Also that the humor holds up so well...holds up(this play), is very surprising you won't lyfao but you will chuckle throughout or lol once.

So if anything read this play to get an idea as to what people thought about gender at that time (Aristophanes is NO feminist sympathizer but, despite that, he still is respectful to his women characters regardless if he agrees or not) and to see yet more commentary of the civil war taking place between Athens and Sparta. Please come with an open mind and most of all enjoy it, it's a comedy, it just wants to make you laugh. Again if you want a more serious look at this stuff go read Antigone.(less)

like · see review

Apr 22, 2011 Casey Harvey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-books, drama

The words "ancient greek comedy" might not necessarily be the big seller for most people whose only exposure to ancient greek literature is Sophocle's Oedipus Tyrannus and/or portions of the Iliad or the Odyssey. However, even if you hated these pieces with a passion, no one should underestimate Aristophanes Lysistrata.

A play about women using a sex-strike to stop a war is your first draw-in. What makes you stay, although the plot is interesting enough to tempt me, is the absolutely hysterical...more

like · see review

Sep 03, 2010 James rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really enjoy the way Aristophanes blends profound observations about his warlike and decadent society with outrageous humor that goes from amusing to ribald (to raunchy) in this ultimately farcical play.

I like the bold idealism and shrewd incisiveness of the character Lysistrata and her willingness -- and that of her cohorts -- to vigorously rebuff the foolish men who dare to challenge them (and the amorous ones who yearn to bed them), in order to teach the men how to achieve peace.

I'll admi...more

like · see review

Apr 12, 2013 Dexter rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This comedy was very bawdy and hilarious! Very laugh out loud funny. Definitely not for kids, or even high school students, as there is strong adult sexual humor in here. Absolutely brilliant sexual comedy, and probably Aristophanes' most famous comedic play.

This play is a great primary source on sexual relations and the status of women in ancient Greece. Granted, there is a lot that Aristophanes probably left out with regard to "less mainstream" sexual behavior in ancient Greece, but what he wr...more

like · see review

Sep 23, 2011 Christine Orwell rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own

Oh dear god. THIS WAS AWFUL. Couldn't even finish it.

Basic premise: Athenian women are sick or war, so they decide to not have sex with the men until they stop fighting.

The play sounds really interesting and I would love to read it in decent, appropriate language. The problem isn't the play, the problem is that this so-called "modern translation" was just atrocious. Apparently Athenians considered Spartan to be hillbillies, and that's fine. If you want to convey that the Spartan characters are l...more

2 likes · like · see review

Apr 16, 2011 Adam rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lysistrata by Aristophanes
Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 4.0
YTD: 19

Plot/Story:
3 – Plot/Story is interesting & believable.

How did I miss this one? It had been sitting on my shelf and “TBR” list for far too long. Lysistrata is one of the original “dramadies” – a mixture of dramatic and comedic elements, though this one leans toward the comedic. Still, some of the themes Aristophanes tackles, such as War, Power, and Gender are serious, and have severe implications. Fortunately, Aristophanes writes h...more

like · see review

Aug 14, 2011 Trendhater73: S. Bledsoe rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When war is raging what is one to do? Seriously, how can you possibly create peace from such hostile times? Well, make love not war. That's how. "Lysistrata" is unique in the sense that it is an entire play led by female characters. They are tired of their husbands coming home, only to return to war. In order to force peace, the women come together and enact a plan dreamt up by the lead female, Lysistrata. She has decided that the only way to gain peace is by denying all of the men what they des...more

like · see review

Mar 31, 2013 Anne Pride-Wilt rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, school, reviewed

Very dirty, pretty funny, essentially nonsensical. It cracks me up to think the ancient Greeks were cranking out stuff just as bawdy as a lot of what one sees today. But overall, I'm not impressed. The characterization, plot, etc was either absent or didn't make sense. In particular, how does one execute a sex strike when the main complaint is that everyone's husband is off at war? Ah, well. I imagine it was primarily farcical. Basically, I'm digging some of the nascent feminist themes (even if...more

like · see review

Aug 24, 2009 Thomas Skabar rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is Old Comedy in its purest state. It never ceases to amaze me that something over 2000 years old can be so poignant, so humorous and so relevant in contemporary society.. It also never ceases to amaze me when I use 'poignant' in a sentence. But in all seriousness, it is incredible to read this and see that sex and war dominated the media in 400 BC in much the same way they do today.

In "Lysistrata", the women of Greece convene to conceive a resolution to the Peloponnesian War. Their plan?...more

1 like · like · see review

Sep 20, 2010 Jenn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: plays

The play itself receives four stars from me; however, this particular translation would be more like a one and a half. I can't remember for the life of me who the translator was for the version I originally read, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. This one, on the other hand, was something I had to force myself to get through. The attempt at using "hip" phrases was a failure, in my opinion, and I don't understand why Lampito had to have what can only be described as a hick/hillbilly accent. Some o...more

like · see review

Jun 25, 2012 Maria E added it

Shelves: classics, philosophy

An interesting comedic look at how women could end war. The translation I had was pretty raunchy but the topic lent itself to being racy. Aristophanes was known for his fantasy settings and this is definitely fantasy but as with all good fantasy there is a tinge of reality. Lysistrata has to work to get all the women to agree with the plan. Mainly because unlike the stereotype of the virtuous woman, the women are upset about the duration of the war partially because the men haven't been home.
It...more

like · see review

Oct 13, 2012 Niko rated it 5 of 5 stars

Look, Shakespeare is not inaccessible, and Aristophanes is not incomprehensible. It's the ideas, tongue-in-cheeck commentary, and culture that defines the context and accent of the passages. Language is a reflection of culture, and this shines brightly in Lysistrata.

Early on, Lysistrata is conferring with the female population, and it comes time to make a binding oath. But on what? On the entrails of a white horse? The blood of another animal? And here's a gem you can catch, if you know how to r...more

like · see review

Jul 19, 2009 Shpow rated it 4 of 5 stars

I know this play is ment to be a comedic tale of female enpowerment, and is all about the feminist statement, but I don't feel strongly enough about any of those ideas to interpret the play in such a way.

And i'm glad I don't because seeing past the feminist message, as ignorant as this may be, allowed me to enjoy the play itself a lot more.

I'm studying it as a drama student, and upon first reading it, it was simply one of the most hilarious and delightful pieces i've ever read. If the translat...more

like · see review

Apr 22, 2012 Nicole rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this in my grade 12 second credit lit class a few years back. My teacher, a tad crazy, decided that we should act the play out to fully appreciate it. And what better a way than to make all the students dress in drag and perform this play for one another? There's really nothing more amusing than watching 18 year old boys wearing dresses with some balloons stuffed in there proclaiming that they're gonna withhold sex from their husbands, and the girls replying while standing there with thei...more

like · see review

Jan 10, 2010 Daphna Heisler rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An enjoyable Greek play! This is an entertaining story and at 60 pages or something, one of the quickest reads you'll find. The basic plot is that Greek women decide to withhold sex from their husbands in order to get them to do what they want (ie: end the Peloponnesian War). The book is enjoyable in an obscene ancient Greek kind of way. It also does a very good job of making you think about the power play between men and women in society (as well as the role that sex takes on in that power play...more

like · see review

Jul 21, 2012 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nook, mythology, feather-folios, 2012, plays

Lysistrata is an example of a timeless piece of work, been written and performed before the time of Christ, it still resonates with us today. It is a Classical Greek Comedy, set during the Peloponnesian War (civil war between Athens and Sparta which lasted from 431 BC to 404 - 27 years). At the start of the play, the women had been suffering the absence of their husbands for years. One woman, Lysistrata, thinks she knows a way to end the war, and calls a meeting at the Acropolis to discuss her t...more Lysistrata is an example of a timeless piece of work, been written and performed before the time of Christ, it still resonates with us today. It is a Classical Greek Comedy, set during the Peloponnesian War (civil war between Athens and Sparta which lasted from 431 BC to 404 - 27 years). At the start of the play, the women had been suffering the absence of their husbands for years. One woman, Lysistrata, thinks she knows a way to end the war, and calls a meeting at the Acropolis to discuss her tactics.

Lysistrata is hesitant at first to reveal her strategy to end the war, as it would prove a difficult trial for both the women and their husbands. Her plan is to lock themselves into the Acropolis to ensure the celibacy of the women, wives of soldiers and powerful men. Hilarity ensues as the play unfolds - some women try to sneak out of the meeting, making up ridiculous excuses, to which Lysistrata is not fooled. As time passes in the play the men becoming increasingly sex starved (not to mention the women), are all walking around with massive erections by the end of the play, begging for a resolution.

Many critics have dismissed this play because of it's phallic nature, but you can't deny the themes we can still sympathize with today. I don't know of how many jokes I've heard on movies and television of women trying to manipulate men in the same ways described in this play. Thought the concept of this play is humorous on the surface, Lysistrata's motivations were pure. She and her comrades were quickly aging while their husbands were away, dwindling down their child bearing years, for what? In one line, Lysistrata is arguing with the magistrate about the issue. She offers that while the men also age, coming back with heads of grey hair, they are still able to take a young ripe wife if he so chooses, while women only have so many fertile years to bear before 'shriveling' up.

It is for these timeless themes that I believe Lysistrata has endured the centuries, and will continute to resonate with readers for many to come. Before Dean's review video popped up on my youtube feed, I had never heard of this play, so thanks Dean! I look forward to reading and reviewing many more plays, and also some more ancient greek stuff, which I always enjoy :-)

If you'd like an extremely quick and hilarious summary of this story, click here!

To see more of my book reviews, visit http://emmaleighreads.blogspot.com (less)

like · see review

May 15, 2011 Claire rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: great-book-of-the-western-world

This play is about how the women of Greece collectively put an end to the Pelopennesian War by denying their husbands sex. It's one of three plays that address the war, which by the time it was written had been going on for about 21 years.

I notice from some supplemental things I've read that some would call this a "feminist" play. I'm not sure I understand this view, given that Aristophanes is being satirical. I would hope that "feminists" would view this kind of power as something to elevate o...more

like · see review

Jan 10, 2011 Gloria rated it 4 of 5 stars

This play is laugh out loud funny but was written in ancient Greece and so a must read. Some will say its sexist but I say get over it it's a flipping comedy that pokes fun at all kinds. It's all about the women of Athens ingenious and funny method of ending war. The best part was unlike Cyrano and Wilde's plays the humor value was lude and crude. But I gotta say the meaning of it really touched me and it was nice to read some pre-hippie "make love not war" sentiment. I can't wait to get an acti...more

like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (95)

More editions...

Genres

Classics

378 users

Drama

172 users

Plays

111 users

Humor

45 users

Academic > School

29 users

Plays > Theatre

26 users

Humor > Comedy

25 users

Academic > Read For School

18 users

Classics > Classic Literature

16 users

Literature > Ancient

16 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Aristophanes

Of all the writers of "Old Comedy", only one remains. Lost forever are the works of Chionides, Magnes, Ecphantides, Cratinus, Crates, and Eupolis. All the extant comedies of the fifth century B.C. belong to one man--Aristophanes. On his shoulders alone rests the reputation of an entire age of comedy. Fortunately, by most accounts Aristophanes was the greatest comic writer of his day.

By the time Ar...more Of all the writers of "Old Comedy", only one remains. Lost forever are the works of Chionides, Magnes, Ecphantides, Cratinus, Crates, and Eupolis. All the extant comedies of the fifth century B.C. belong to one man--Aristophanes. On his shoulders alone rests the reputation of an entire age of comedy. Fortunately, by most accounts Aristophanes was the greatest comic writer of his day.

By the time Aristophanes began to write his comedies, democracy had already begun to sour for the Athenians. The people were increasingly demoralized by the ongoing conflicts of the Peloponnesian War and the loss of their greatest hero, Pericles, had been taken from them and replaced by unscrupulous politicians such as Cleon and Hyperbolus. It is little wonder, therefore, that Aristophanes laughter is tinged, even from the beginning, with tones of apprehension and grief.

Aristophanes' first two comedies, The Banqueters and The Babylonians have been lost. His first surviving play, The Acharnians, was written in the sixth year of the War and, coincidentally, happens to be the world's first anti-war comedy. Inspired by the suffering of the rural population of Attica, the area surrounding Athens which was exposed to continual invasions, the poet built his plot around a hard headed farmer who, tired of the hostilities, determines to make a private peace with the Spartans. Denounced as a traitor by his fellow citizens and forced to plead for his life, Dicaeopolis turns to the tragic poet Euripides who lends him a whole assortment of tragic stage effects. His collection depleted, Euripides complains, "You miserable man! You are robbing me of an entire tragedy!"

In his next play Aristophanes turned his satirical powers on Cleon, the demagogue who had succeeded Pericles. However, the dictator's power was so great that no actor dared impersonate him, and legend has it that the poet played the role himself, his face smeared with wine dregs in mockery of Cleon's bloated and alcoholic countenance. The people of Athens were quick to recognize their tyrannical leader as the Paphlagonian tanner in The Knights, and although the play had no real political effect, it took first prize at the festival.

Aristophanes barbs, however, were not reserved exclusively for political figures. In fact, he often saved his sharpest attacks for other cultural figures. In The Clouds, he turns his attentions to the great thinker of the day--Socrates. The story revolves around an old man named Strepsiades. Deeply in debt because of his son's gambling and desperate to preserve his fortune, he enrolls in Socrates' Thinking Shop in order to learn how to confute his creditors with logic. What he finds on the first day of training, however, is the great thinker suspended in a basket and contemplating the sun. Only confused by this first lesson, Strepsiades determines to have his son educated instead. The young man responds quickly to Socrates' teachings and is soon able to prove, after beating his father, that he was morally justified in doing so.(less)

More about Aristophanes...

Books by Aristophanes

Four Plays: The Clouds / The Birds / Lysistrata / The Frogs

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Lysistrata

6 trivia questions

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Lysistrata

“[Y]ou [man] are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with [woman=] me, when for your faithful ally you might win me easily.” — 6 people liked it

“Calonice: My dear Lysistrata, just what is this matter you've summoned us women to consider.What's up? Something big?

Lysistrata: Very big.

Calonice: (interested) Is it stout too?

Lysistrata: (smiling) Yes, indeed -- both big and stout.

Calonice: What? And the women still haven't come?

Lysistrata: It's not what you suppose; they'd come soon enough for that.” — 5 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Lysistrata
avg rating	preview: Lysistrata Goodreads rating: 3.82 (13623 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1591.Lysistrata?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1335892524l/1591.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1591.Lysistrata?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Lysistrata by Aristophanes[/url]

Lysistrata

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website