Lysistrata And Ecclesiazousae Gender Roles

Omar Mond

Prof. Peter Barrious-Lech

04/28/18

Aristophanes Lysistrata and Ecclesiazousae Aristophanes’ plays Lysistrata and Ecclesiazousae focus on the gender roles in ancient Greek. The plays provide an accurate reflection of the patriarchal society in ancient Greek societies and their impact on both genders. Whereas the plays are more famous for their comedic relief they also contribute to the debate on treatment of women in the society. The plays are quite radical in their perspective of women considering the conservative nature of societies at the time. They use comedic relief to advocate fair treatment of women by offering them more responsibilities in the society and contributing positively to change in society. In Lysistrata the fact that women are called to deliberate on an end to the Palepponesian war shows just how much Aristophanes believes in the power of women and their ability to contribute to change in the society. Leadership is usually seen as the preserve of men and the women who are in leadership positions are usually seen as exceptions instead of the norm. This was especially so in the earlier years where the place of women in the society was more subjugated that in modern

The characterization of women in the play is such that they are intellectually superior to the male characters. Praxagora’s character, for example, is intellectually superior to Blepyrus as seen through their interactions. Praxagora manages to devise a plan that sees the men eventually surrender power to women (Aristophanes, 1999). She manages to deceive both Blepyrus and other men in the society through her plan. Blepyrus cannot suspect that she might have been masquerading as a man when he sees her with his cloak. All these are in line with Aristophanes’ portrayal of women as intellectually superior to men in the