The theme of lust. Lust is defined as an
intense longing or a sexual desire and is based solely on physical attraction.
It is a common theme seen in literature, especially in classic Greek
literature. It is so common in literature because it is so prevalent in our
daily lives. So many people can relate to it. Everyone lusts for something or
someone. And I also think it is a theme in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. Both the
men and women long to be reunited with each other. The men lust to with their
woman and the women just want their men to come back home in one piece.
The theme of obedience. The women choose
to no longer be submissive to the men. And this attitude shocks the men completely
when the women choose to become vocal about their discontent and unhappiness. The
women are also willing to fight about it as necessary. They are giving up the
usual, traditional roles of the housewife and mother to fight. They plan out to
use sex as a weapon to fight against the men. Lysistrata bands together all the
women of Greece and all vow to withhold sex in an effort to weaken the men and
make then surrender. Sex is one of the few true weapons that these women have
in their arsenal.
Seduction. Seduction is another weapon
used by Lysistrata and her women. As the gates of Acropolis opens, Lysistrata
comes out with her handmaid Peace. Peace is a beautiful girl and is completely
naked. The physical appearance of Peace is supposed to seduce the men into a
state of agreement. Myrrhine also somewhat seduces her husband Cinesias. As he
comes home from being away at war, he comes to Myrrhine and wants to jump right
into bed with her. Myrrhine plays along and she makes every effort to stall
their lovemaking.
