Review: Lysistrata by Aristophanes + Live Play
Title: Lysistrata
Author: Aristophanes
Length: 54 pages
Genre: Drama, Classic
Publisher / Year: Dover Thrift Edition / written around 411 BC
Source: BookDepository
Rating: 4/5
Why I Read It: I recently read Kody Keplinger’s Shut Out (releases Sept 5) which is a loose retelling of this story. After reading it I ordered this to see what it was like.
Date Read: 13/07/11
This is a short and humorous play about war and women. The Pelopponesian war has been going on for a few years and the women are sick of it. Lysistrata calls the a secret meeting of woman from all sides in the conflict and convinces them to make a pact – no sex until peace is declared. To convince them of the worth of this pact she must appeal to their hearts over their bodies and the play is full of jokes about the legendary love of drinking and partying and sex that these women had. In the end though they come to her side, however grudgingly, and make their pact.
As part of this, the women are also taking over the Acropolis and seizing control of the treasury. The play then descends into a play of words and power between the old men who are left guarding the city and the women who have taken control. As the women both learn to work together and value their strengths they must also convince the men of this.
The play can be seen in both a feminist and a pacifist light. In many ways the play is more about ending this war now between the two sides and still refers to others as barbarians, but it does show the women wanting to end at least this one war and bring their men home. It also goes a bit to the extreme in gender essentialism with the idea that men are all for war and women all against war.
Although a slim volume, and very old, this play is definitely still interesting reading. If you get a chance I would recommend you pick it up. Aristophanes’ use of humor throughout the play is what really makes this a fun read, he definitely keeps the reader entertained.
Last night Carina and Rhiannon accompanied me to a live outdoor production of Lysistrata by Canopy Theatre Company. The play runs until August 6th (though tonight’s performance has been cancelled because of the extreme heat warning) and I would highly recommend you check it out. The play is based on Germaine Greer’s 1972 translation which highlights the feminist angles in the play. The cast was incredible and the entire show was hilarious. If you are around Toronto do check it out – tickets are only $10 or pay what you can on Wednesdays.
Ever since The Uncoupling has come out, I have wanted to read this book. I have never tackled anything like this before, so it’s alternately thrilling and a little intimidating to me. I am glad that you mention that it’s very humorous, because I think that would make things a little easier for me. Very cool that you got the chance to see the play last night. It sounds like it was a wonderful time and that you had excellent company!
It is short and humorous zibilee so I think you would have no trouble
And yes, great company!
It’s a great play! I was in a reading once, years ago, when on one day in the US a mass reading of this play was organised to protest the war in Iraq. I was in the production for the great state of Delaware!
Oh that sounds so interesting Sarah!! Would be so incredible to be a part of.
I love plays with humour so therefore this is for me. Thanks for sharing, Amy.
You are very welcome Geosi!
I love that you discovered this book through another book. I have read books too based on other reads. I am not much of a play reader… but the fact that it is a slim volume is a plus for me.
I love when that happens Sheila
I first heard of this one through The Uncoupling. So it’s interesting to read a review of this one. You’ve covered it pretty well and I would like to read it some time.
OK, second mention of that book so I really must look for it Aths
I would love to see this performed! How awesome that you and Carina had the chance to.
The whole women=peace and men=war thing also came up a lot in Millions Like Us by Virginia Nicholson. While I really dislike the essentialist implications, she did a great job of explaining the social hold the idea had, and how it impact the way men and women were brought up to think of themselves. It was fascinating stuff.
Yes, it was really great Ana. Rhiannon is another new local blogger I found that I recommend too
We had a really great time dissing our mayor, discussing bad cover art on books, and more fun stuff. Also, I really want to read Millions Like Us now 
This must have been a fun play to see done live. I’ve never read it, but after reading your review of it I will definitely read it. My class in Greek mythology in college was one of my favorites … I love reading the plays.
I have read hardly any Dragonflyy419 so I must look out for more one of these days!
great to see this Amy I wish I knbew more about greek lit it is a weak spot for me ,but may have a look at what other books dover thrift do I have a couple of there and there not bad for being so cheap ,all the best stu
I don’t know a ton either, and what I do know tends to be classics like this. I recommend this.
I read this once years ago, and would love to see it performed! What a great opportunity.
It was really great Emily, was so happy to get the opportunity.
I have to say, this play is one of those timeless pieces (for those of you intimidated), it still resonates and is super current. And the play was truly funny, and under the stars which is a nice way to see theatre in the summer. I’m dying to know what they were using for all their tortured manhoods, they were hysterical!
I know right! I want to know that too Rhiannon! I can’t believe how timeless it really is, having been written so long ago! Thanks again for coming
After reading two plays, I guess that genre has won me over. Thanks for this. I also especially enjoy the humourous one.
I’ve only recently started reading a few more plays as well Nana
Wonderful review, Amy! I have seen this theme enacted in movies, but I didn’t know that Aristophanes’ play was the original. It is interesting that Aristophanes wrote on this theme so many centuries back. Wonderful to know that you went to a performance of the play too and glad to know that you enjoyed it.
Thank you Vishy, I wouldn’t have known unless it was specifically mentioned in Keplinger’s book