The Power and Perseverance of Sex
Lysistrata is a comedy written by Aristophanes. There are many themes throughout Lysistrata: sex, women and femininity, men and masculinity, warfare, home, politics, power, and perseverance (Shmoop Editorial Team). However, I think the most dominant theme throughout Lysistrata is the theme of sex, which is why I would suggest a new title reflecting the theme of sex to be “The Power and Perseverance of Sex”. Lysistrata takes place during the Peloponnesian War and all the women want is for their husbands and boyfriends to return home because they miss the men. This play gives us insight into Ancient Greece. It shows us that even back then, sex had power, and women were not afraid to use it. In the beginning of this play, Lysistrata tells Calonice that the women have the power to save Greece, that they can end the war and bring the men home. While it was confusing as to “how” at first, on the next page we find out how: by denying their men sex.…show more content… During these times, women were seen as incubators, maids, as sexual objects, and it shows in the play and books. Lysistrata is not one of those plays. There are two types of women in Lysistrata: there are women like Lysistrata who are strong, willful, and powerful and there are the women she met with you feel dutiful to their husbands. In Lysistrata, she convinces the women to stop doing housework and to take an oath with her to abstain sex from their husbands and boyfriends. She believes that in putting a stop to sex and housework, the men will have no choice but to end the war and to come
