Reviews

Lysistrata by Aristophanes

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.

allym's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

becky_boodles's review against another edition

funny fast-paced

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

3.0

Since I was familiar with this play that made it easier to follow and the jokes were funny, however I think a newer translation would’ve made the humor and nuance more accessible and  enjoyable. 

levselivanov's review against another edition

Read for class

luvberry's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

3.5

d_a_kreads's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Funniest greek comedy ever "Fuck me slippers" being in an English translation is brilliant. Basically the women of Athens get sick of their husbands fighting in wars, so decide to deprive them of sex until they stop. So much chaos follows and it's so entertaining. 

talentedcain's review against another edition

dark funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

4.0

juliam02's review against another edition

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot