Lysistrata - The Original Classic Edition. Aristophanes Aristophanes

Lysistrata - The Original Classic Edition - Aristophanes Aristophanes

Lysistrata is a favorite of the Greek plays-its never pompous or overbearing, and it never overwhelms itself with flowery prose. In addition, its one of the few Greek plays youll read that portrays women as genuine human beings rather than murderers, decorations, or idiots. Theyre smart, sexy, and socially aware, especially in a time when they were very seriously repressed. <p> Lysistrata is an intelligent Athenian woman who is sick and tired of the Greek city-states warring against each other. She calls all the women she can round up and comes up with a strategy to end the wars: Keep away from their husbands beds, and the men will make peace with other cities to make peace with their wives. After a great deal of whining, the women agree to deprive their husbands of sex until peace is achieved. But thats only the beginning of what Lysistrata has planned… <p> Too many feminist tales end up being heavy-handed-though women are on the side of peace and right in this, it doesnt bang you over the head. The men are human as well. The comedy is sly and witty (though full of mild sex talk–nothing too raunchy) and the scene where one young woman unmercifully teases her love-hungry husband will have you rolling. <p> Its a story about the power that women can wield and the lengths that they can go to. <p> Read, laugh, guffaw! You wont regret it!