Levels upon Which Aristophanes' Comedy Lysistrata Conveys the Power of Women - Essay Example

Lysistrata conveys the power of women's rights from the beginning of the play when comes up with the brilliant idea to end the war. This is after she makes an observation of the weakness of women in Greece. She is the ultimate master of all the happenings in Lysistrata. She directs the action and carries the play by giving directions from behind the scenes.

               Her plan to request the women to go on a sex strike in a bid to get the peace treaty signed is an immensely bold move for a woman in that time. The fact that she convenes women from various city-states in Greece successfully also conveys the power of women. It shows that they can plan something and see it through successfully without backing out. She conveys the power of women by carefully instructing and coaching women on how to carry out her plan successfully (Vetter 59). She keeps observing their actions and coaches them step by step on how to overcome the temptation of their husbands. A good example of her power as a woman is when she coaches Myrrhine on how to act with her husband Kinesias at the Akropolis. After coaching, she does not leave Myrrhine to deal with her husband alone, but she watches to make sure that she does not give in to her husband. She is the overseer of the action.

            Lysistrata is the mastermind of actions that she does not directly take part in because she has no husband or lovers. This separation gives her more rank and power as a woman. This is because she does not exhibit any sexual desire nor flirt with a man. This makes the commissioner and delegates respect her more than the other women. Throughout the play, she comes out as a leader with a mission that she must fulfill. The way she talks to women and convinces them brings out the fact that she is on top. When Myrrhine and Lampito show resistance Lysistrata does not allow them to swim in the stereotypical sex-driven roles that men have created for them (Aristophanes 54). This comes out clearly in the play when in the beginning the women are reluctant to agree with her on the sex strike, but she eventually convinces them. The deal gets sealed with an oath not to be broken with sheep blood around a wine bowl.

            Lysistrata also uses a different language than the other women. She is immensely witty and smart. She also has a more serious tone with the others. This contributes to her ability to lead others in Greece (Pelling 90). Lysistrata acts bravely against men who appear resolved on destroying the city. She insists that women have the same intelligence and judicial power as men to make political decisions. We see a clear example when she explains that she has a brain, and she is a woman. She states that she is not badly off for judgment and nor is her education inferior. Lysistrata explains that her knowledge has come from listening often to the conversation of her father and the elders among the men (Aristophanes 89). It comes out clearly that Lysistrata is attempting to pass across that she thinks not just like a man but a wise man. It comes out that her ideas for Greece are noble as any other man and should not be criticized. She conveys the power of women when she stands up in front of the magistrate to explain the frustrations of women at a time of war when men make stupid decisions that affect everyone. When Lysistrata explains to Calonice that they will stop the war by dressing in transparent silk gowns and looking beautiful, she did not understand what she meant. This life-saving plan comes out to be a brainy plan that does not require physical war to enact.

            Lysistrata’s confidence enables her to withstand the force from the men. She does not give up at any expense. This further illustrates the courage the women possess and proves Euripides wrong. She achieves a real political voice in a male-dominated state. Even when the commissioner orders her arrest, Lysistrata does not back down. She stands up and argues with him confidently. Lysistrata tells the commissioner why the war is a concern for women because they have sacrificed tremendously for it. Women stayed at home alone even for five months while men were at war (Aristophanes 47).

            Lysistrata is an extremely powerful, excellent, and moving speaker. She is the opposite of all the other women in the play. She does not fit the stereotypical woman of the time who is housebound and dutiful to her husband. Aristophanes uses her to bring out a powerful side of women. He portrays her as powerful and a leader. She is unquestionably the ring leader of the women's political movement (Vetter 109). Through Lysistrata, women are able to change the affairs of the state that men have taken forever to change. She goes against societal female norms and brings a change in her country. Her idea comes into reality, and she brings change by convincing the men that thousands do not need to die for no reason. She causes other women in Greece to make the soldiers realize that bloodshed is pointless and convinces them to go home and enjoy life with their families. At the end of the play, Lysistrata gets called upon to make the treaty between Athens and Sparta. This conveys the power of women (Vetter 153).