Lysistrata - A Breakdown of Her Characteristics and Traits

In this play, women were originally portrayed as the husband's helper, rather than their equal. Every day, women start their mornings by fussing over their man, waking up the maid and taking care of the baby. Every woman is taught to accept their place in the society, except for Lysistrata who believes that there are more important matters to attend to. At this point, Lysistrata was already revealed as a mature woman with unconventional thoughts. She then goes on to reveal her plot of stopping the war. Although initially faced with suspicion and rejection, Lysistrata’s idea is eventually accepted by everyone, showing that she had both the wisdom and charisma to lead her people. When the gates of the Akropolis are finally opened, Lysistrata came out to greet the men only to be threatened by the Commissioner and the police. Instead of running back inside the city, she warns whoever tried to hurt her that she is not afraid to fight back. When more archers are thrown at her, Kleonike and Myrrhine are willing to risk their lives protecting her. This proves that Lysistrata is brave and a well-loved leader. When asked of her plans by the Commissioner, Lysistrata described her intentions of smoothing the relationship between both sides, cleansing the city of corruptions, get rid of people who doesn’t mean well to the city and pulling their men back from war. This demonstrated that Lysistrata is wise and well-versed in politics. When a few of her comrades are attempting escape from the city into the arms of their husbands, Lysistrata is alert enough to separate the truths from the lies and had no problems keeping the women in the city. And most importantly, Lysistrata make such a huge deal at stopping the war by getting all the women to abstain from sex because she is a compassionate person who hates to see misery and despair around her. By getting all the men back from war, there would never be deaths and losses to cry about.