Characters in Lysistrata:

Who are the men in Lysistrata?

Chorus of old men

Elderly Athenians left behind,

they are the counter part to the chorus of old women who they constantly bicker with.

Humour

Farce: "Help, I'm Soaking" - the men act how women are stereotypically portrayed; dramatic, weak and helpless.

Visual: [the men remove their outer garments] - part vulgar and situational, the ridiculousness of old men stripping in an argument

Vulgar: "And I'd better make sure that I've got some fire still alive in my pot" - pun on sexual ability at elderly age

Stereotype: "Keep moving, Draces, even if your shoulder aches" - supposed to be tough and strong, ironic when compared to farcical elements of their humour

Effect of humour

The vulgar and visual humour of the naked chorus catches the audience's attention, and entertains them, winning the audience over, Aristophanes relaxes them so they're more open to his serious message.

The farcical behavior of the men in comparison to the stereotype usually surrounding them is not only funny, but helps to put across the serious message of the play by comparing them to serious characters like Lysistrata. The situational comedy surrounding the strip off, helps to indicate the ridiculousness of society, as well as comic relief as none of that section of the play has anything to do with politics, but instead just bitter elderly people.

Importance to play and message

All chorus's are important in greek theater, not excluding this one. They re-iterate the overall message of the play that despite differences, we're all the same and can reconcile, shown when the two separate chorus' unite to make one of 24 containing both men and women. This chorus also helps to get the message across that Lysistrata is the one to listen to, as Aristophanes makes them idiotic and farcical compared to her.

Chorus leader

Counter part of Stratyliss, leads the chorus of old men to the acropolis to attempt to defeat the women. Argues violently with Startyliss.

Humour

Verbal: "If you don't keep quiet you old crone, I'll flay you out of your skin" - and visual. Two elderly people arguing and threatening each other with such violence is surreal.

Parody: "There is no beast so shameless as a woman" - quoting Euripides, who has previously been called a woman-hater. As the men and leader are ridiculous, this makes Euripides, who they believe in seem ridiculous too.

Situational comedy: "let's be men who smell like men! Come on now, strip again!" - Leader encourages the strip-off and it becomes more and more stupid!

Effect of humour

As well as being comic relief as part of the chorus, Leader and Stratyliss' arguments, as well as being comical, highlight the differences and similarities between men and women. As a leader to the men, the chorus leader can be likened to the leaders of the Athenian armies. Leader's strategies don't work out well,shown when he tries to light the fire, and begins choking, he makes poor decisions. The audience will liken this to their own leaders in the war. By quoting Euripides against the women, and by then being bested by them, the leader makes the men's and Euripides' ideas look stupid, therefore making the women's more plausible.

Importance to play and message

Leader represents men in general and leaders. An important message he embodies is the failure of leaders through his comic character, which the audience would liken to their own leaders. Despite the comic element of his relationship with Stratyliss, the reconciliation of them holds a very important message, indicated by Leader:

"We can't live with you, we can't live without you! Let us make peace"

Despite their differences, they are natural allies and unite to makes one working Chorus of 24, which is what a Chorus should be made up of. The ease of this reconciliation is what Aristophanes wished to present to the audience, for reconciliation between Sparta and Athens!

Cinesias

The husband of Myrrhine, Cinesias

is the best example of male criticism

in Lysistrata

Humour

Stereotype: "All I need is a fuck" - The men are said by Lysistrata to all be horny, Cinesias embodies this.

Visual: [Enter CINESIAS, his enormous phallus fully erect] - vulgar humour too, catches the audiences attention

Vulgar: "I'll give you something, if you like" - flirting with Lysistrata, verbal humour too.

Character-based: "All right, that's it out of the way" - 'it' refers to his baby, Cinesias appears heartless, manipulative and sex oriented.

"She's done me and diddled me" - and stupid, he is bested by Myrrhine.

Effect of humour

Cinesias is a typical male and constantly uses vulgar humour, which is an almost national form of humour, bound to make the audience laugh. Cinesias' stupidity compared to Myrrhine means the women's plan can be taken more seriously. His whole character, from his appearance and his attitudes regarding his own child, make him a highly comical character as he is utterly ridiculous, and yet this has an important effect on how we view the women.

Importance to play and message

The message presented by Cinesias whole foolish character, especially when considering his relationship with Myrrhine is that the women's message and idea to stop the war is worth listening to, compared to the stupidity of men like Cinesias. Cinesias has an important role of calling the delegates to declare peace, although for his own selfish purposes, the weakness of the men loses to the women.

• Chorus of old men
• Chorus leader
• Cinesias
• Spartan/Athenian deligates

Athenian/Spartan

Delegates

Humour

Visual: [ATHENIANS drop their cloaks and are seen to be in the same condition as the Spartans] - both parties are sporting erect Phali

Stereotype: "Aye be he Twa Gods, call her, and call Lysistratus too if ye choose" - parody of Spartan accent and allusions to Spartan homosexuality

Vulgar: "give us these prickly bushes" - verbal humour also, referring to reconciliations body.

Effect of humour

Vulgar humour is used in Lysistrata as a bonding function as all the audience would find it entertaining. The stereotypes surrounding the Spartans is used to flatter the Athenians, as although Aristophanes wants them to make peace with the Spartans, it's important to win them over through flattery.

Importance to play and message

The delegates present the most important message in Lysistrata regarding the Peloponnesian war through visual/vulgar humour. Both are sporting erect phallus' which leads the leader to announce:

"Both got the same affliction haven't you?"

The message is that they are all the same when they're robes are off, and the ease of which they reconcile through mutual interest in sex and their frustration once again shows their similarities.

Contrast: men and women

TO CONCLUDE

The men are mostly presented as idiotic and farcical characters in comparison to the women. However that is the only difference, as the men and women, as shown, are similar in other aspects. The only reason the men are presented in an idiotic manner is to juxtapose the serious message of Lysistrata which is what Aristophanes wants to put forward. By showing how the men and women are so similar and can reconcile so easily, it reinforces the message behind the Spartan/Athenian reconciliation that they're all the same, they're all men and they're all greek.

Characters in Lysistrata:

The Men

• women are obsessed with sex " There's nothing like it"
• detest men "a gang of male scum"
• Serious "I shall give good advice to the city"
• Dramatic "My knees are giving way"

• men are obsessed with sex "I just need a fuck"
• detest women "Pestilent disease"
• Idiotic "she's done me and diddled me!
• Dramatic "Help, I'm soaking"

Peace parties from Athens and Sparta come to end the war

Historical background

In 431 BC war broke out between Athens and it's neighbor Sparta. From 415, the war was not going successfully for the Athenians. Athens attack on Syracuse in Sicily ended disastrously when all the Athenian forces were destroyed in 413. The Persians saw an opportunity to ally with the Spartans, and trade routes around Athens began to be cut off. Many of the cities surrounding Athens began to revolt against the empire, and Athens was in a very difficult position, most of their men still away fighting. Political play write, Aristophanes, the writer of Lysistrata believed a peace should be made now between Athens and Sparta.