Reviews

Lysistrata by Aristophanes

ohclaire's review against another edition

2.0

mmmm not a fan!

ouireads's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

casspro's review against another edition

4.0

I've had a long history with 'ol Lys. I've written many a paper on her, some condemning her as a rebel-rouser and rioteer. I've acted in a Dr. Seussian version of the play. I paper choreographed the stage combat between the Old Men and Old Women. I've had my share of Aristophanes for a while. A lot of comparisons can be made to the protests of the late '60s-early '70s in a "Make Love Not War" motif. Very pro-feminism with a sexual empowering concept. A good read.

iithief's review against another edition

funny medium-paced

3.25

storykotori's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

natasha_bharwani's review against another edition

funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

lilysharp's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

rats02's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

loveisforthenerds's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If it was a modern play, the rating would be lower. But, for something from 400 BCE? It's incredibly forward thinking. And the innuendos are HILARIOUS. 😂 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault

The women withhold sex from the men until they agree to a peace treaty to end the war. One woman asks what she should do if her husband forces her. The answer is to let him do it, but to just lay there like a limp rag so he doesn't enjoy it.

casparb's review against another edition

4.0

Honestly a banger and a lovely end to my Aristophanes for now. It's the play about being a girlboss I believe.

Helps to surrender all conceptions of sexual realism - that or just assume everybody was both completely irresistible and completely hormonal at the time.

I think Aristophanes is seen as quite a conservative figure, so it's curious he seems so sympathetic to Lysistrata herself in the court scene. One would consider that to be an irresistible moment for satire, but it's all handled quite reasonably, even If the thread metaphor is a little facetious.