In Aristophanes' Lysistrata, the idea of matriarchy, as well as female power as an independent force, is completely rebuked throughout the duration of the play. The idea that women are attempting to control the fate of Greece is inherently ridiculous to the male chorus members; their rebuttals dismiss women on the basis that their sex is inferior, and that women are refusing to fulfill their duties as wives. “What a catastrophe--MATRIARCHY...I’ll teach these women not to trouble us” Although these remarks are accurate, the blatant misogyny of Ancient Greece is as enlightening, as it is unsettling. The idea that women might actively seek to control one aspect of the governing forces in their world is hilarious to Aristophanes’ audience because the socially accepted norm for women in Ancient Greece was to remain in the home and exert their influence over their husbands in a slight, yet significant way, that might convince them to act differently in public.
Even though this play is a comedy, it addresses serious issues, as many comedies tend to do, such as women's roles and the power vacuum between the sexes in Ancient Greece. Ultimately the entire play boils down to a humorous battle of the sexes, but this battle highlights the roles of women in Ancient Greece. Women were expected to remain in the home and leave political action to the men in society, even if they were leading their entire civilization over the cliff of destruction because of the lure of war and glory.
The evolution of women’s rights and roles has shaped history, just as Lysistrata and her followers shaped the course of the ongoing, fictional war. Whilst men have attempted to withstand the development of active roles of women throughout history, clinging to their ‘traditions’ as the chorus of men cling to their creed: “I won’t be ployed to revise, re-do, amend, extend, or bring to an end my irreversible credo: Misogyny Forever!”
