The first feminist ever
There has always existed a confrontation between men and women. It all started perhaps in old Greek and since then continues to remain the point at issue. It is considered that men are still “the strongest gender” and that the world stubbornly retains a male-dominated, competitive one. However, time changes and now women are making their best just as men do. They master new professions which have always expected to be exceptionally men’s one. Moreover, they are doing it perfectly and achieve great success. There is nothing impossible for an ambitious, hard-working woman especially when she is meditating something grand in her head. Besides you can never know how strong these creatures could be and what is going on in their brain. Sometimes life is really hard on them as if testing their endurance but also making them even stronger and hard as nails. You should not forget that women’s life is a lot more complicated than men’s life. Every woman is at first a mother who has to take care not only of herself but also of her child’s life too. Though these fragile creatures have been looked down upon by men from the beginning of civilization it doesn’t mean that they can not run the world together with the men. Women are strong beings who deserve respect as for all the time past they had already earned their rights to equality They are not obliged to be only housewives and mothers but could have a chance to pursue a career too. That’s why Lusistrata from Aristophanes’ comedy should be regarded as feminist for her courage, determination and intelligence.
The first thing you will notice about this feminist character will obviously be her unusual courage. Relying solely on herself, this wise woman managed to stop the war with the help of her inventiveness, slyness and bravery. This Athenian created an ingenious plan that made all the men from Sparta and Athens end the Peloponnesian War. In order to return all husbands home and put an end to the hostility Lysistrata decided to team up the forces of these two countries (Austin, 1977). The woman showed great courage by gathering all the women of Greece to discuss the plan that will surely improve existing situation and bring long-expected peace and order.
Lysistrata presents here an opposite of traditional role of a female. She refused just to sit at home and observe how the war was destroying everything that was so important for her. This woman didn’t want something impossible. She did not build empty dreams but relied on her cunning and women’s charm. If she could not make the men put an end to that cruel killing she was going to get them rid off their foremost natural urge. Finally Lysistrata found that vital need and devised how to properly use it. She relies on her sex and that of the other women to bring about her desires. You can assume this as feminine solidarity. Lysistrata was ready to manipulate men’s feelings, to make them suffer a little if it helped to make the world peaceful again. This wise woman was hundred percent sure that this plan would work and that’s why nothing could stop her from achieving her end. However, at the very beginning, on that meeting Lysistrata realized that this would be a difficult task. If she suddenly understood the reason of all the troubles did not mean that everybody else could. The risk was really great and women were not used to taking their chances. Women had always been just toys in their husbands’ hands like those in puppet theatre. They had never known how it was to come to a decision without husbands’ permission and of course they were scared of it. Lysistrata though believed that if she had obviously gone against social female norms, she could prove the point to the others and convince them in trying the same. Unknown is always frightful but at least you should give it a chance. It is better to do and feel sorry for it than did not do and to be even twice as much sorry.
On that meeting she asked all Athenian and Spartan to refuse sex with their husbands until a treaty for peace has been signed. This plan seemed too difficult to the most of women. They were afraid of possible results and by the help of lame excuses tried to leave the place. However, Lusistrata was extremely resolute in her intention and was not going to give her goal up. If she dared such a risk she would follow the devised plan through thick and thin. Nothing could prevent this determined feminist from obtaining her cherished result. After some persuasion, using all her intelligence and oratory, she finally achieved her ultimate aim. Lysistrata convinced all the women to swear an oath that they would put off sex with their husbands till the moment when both sides agreed to sign a treaty of peace (Hooper, 1978). To proof the oath the women sacrificed a bottle of wine to the Gods. Lysistrata could be satisfied with such outcome for the accomplished work as the most important step had been made. The woman still continued to move forward to the desired result that’s why she insured herself with back-up plan. She had also made arrangements with the older women of Athens (the Chorus of Old Women) to seize the Akropolis later that day.
Even that small act showed Lysistrata as a great leader who was born to unite peoples efforts in achieving a common purpose. She encouraged woman to believe in their strength and learnt to be confident in every good deed they were doing. Lysistrata argued that the War was not only men’s concern as the women had also the same rights in proposing their ideas as to how the city should be run. Here Athenian gave a well thought-out analogy to show that Athens should be structured as a woman would spin wool (Shaw, 2013). Lysistrata was unquestionably the head of the political movement. Her personality and traits of character were really influential that served as a great example for the rest of the society to be followed. Lysistrata stopped to be an affectionate woman who always obeyed her husband’s orders and was afraid to break any rules. She was fed up with constant waiting for her husband from that war which was only the result of men’s reluctance to make concessions and their silly stubbornness in forgiving one another. The success lies not only in blindly pursuing your objects not even taking attention to other people’s feelings but in the ability to stop in time too. Lusistrata clearly understood this golden rule of life and was eager to share it with everyone who was not completely obsessed with the execution of their plans and could still be influenced or convinced, though it of course would need a lot of patience and efforts. It proved once more time that this woman was not only the first to become interested in the politics but a golden mean that refused to respect things she didn’t respect and searched creative ways of improving grave disadvantages at all.
When the sex-strike devised at the beginning of the text, began to take effect on the men Lysistrata took her role of a cruel guard who was looking at every woman as addicted to drink who were able to give up any moment. It was difficult to women to observe her husbands suffering and not to yield to them. Lytisistrata was always there for everyone to support if needed, to listen to, to give reasonable pieces of advice or just remind why all that started and who was to be blamed. One more time this woman played the central role in solving the problem and acted as a ringleader without whom the whole tribe stopped to be a united group but a number of people living the same life. Her mental charm and resolute temper made everybody blindly obeyed all her rules.
When the agony achieved its peak Lysistrata did not begin to celebrate the winning but on the contrary exerted herself even more than at the beginning. Leader should be leader till the last moment and never leave everything in the half way. At that hot point when men wasted away Lysistrata came out of the Akropolis with her naked handmaid and inflicts the hardest blow (Slater, 2013). She began to tell them about reconciliation between the states of Greece Peace. The woman gave a great speech full of exact data and appropriate facts. She spoke about a common heritage of Athens and Sparta, their former friendly relationships and how they always helped each other in need. Lysistrata did not stop even for a second. She knew that the more convincing you talk the more chances you have to be heard. The woman compared two countries relationship to be like sisters’ ones. No matter what happened you will be sure that someone will always give you a helping hand in spite of all previous misunderstanding. You should not judge a friend by his past but take into consideration his present deeds in order to be able to rely on him in the future. Two sides of one heart, as their two countries should not fight. The sky is one for all and it should not be stained with blood. The Spartan and Athenian leaders at last using Peace as a map of Greece, decided land rights that will end the war. Lysistrata attained success and returned everything on their places: the women back to the men and a peaceful future for both countries. Only a person with great leader’s skill could do it and Lysistrata was the first Greek woman to break the rules for the sake of saving others.
Lysistrata not only conciliated the Athens and Sparta but brought peace and harmony in every city. The men, the strongest and the most powerful perhaps for the first time in history conformed to the woman’s rules. The woman who refused to sit at home and wait for her man till the moment he would be tired of fight. She had a good knowledge of men, their needs, habits and shortcomings. However, it was not enough to simply understand all this information and keep it just for yourself. Lysistrata appeared to be an earliest explorer who dared to use this knowledge for the general weal. Of course, she was not sure what would come out of it and if the situation would change for the best. The fact, however, that Lysistrata made a decision to try at least to elevate her individuality among others of her gender should be appreciated.
As a result the men regained sexual control over their wives and economic control over their polis” (Stroup 38). Lysistrata could be proud of herself and as after her deed the husband began to appreciate their better halves more that they used to. The balance of genders appeared to be a real notion. Lysistrata initiated women’s line in the history and politics that till now seemed to be solely male like one. It would probably not last for a long time and sooner or later women would return to their subservient place. The first move which was the most important one had been made. Lysistrata took the initiative in returning the peace and winning the support of other females and managed to achieve a success. It was necessary to hold her positions in a male-dominated society and prove that women’s social redefinition was not a short-lived idea (Tannahill, 1992). To such determined person as Lysistrata that would not be a piece of cake. With her leader’s skills and weather-beaten personality she would surely strove for everything even the most impossible one and bring it under her control.
The question of Aristophanes’ intentions in writing this play still remains unanswered. It is difficult to say if the whole thing should be viewed as a farce or there is real political sentiment involved in this comedy. On the one hand, Lysistrata really represents a feminine character never existed before. The woman plays the central role in the comedy as she is the one that organizes the events, give pieces of advice, convinces the women of their duty and embroil if necessary. Lysistrata’s character is surely not a traditional one. All her attempts to prevent even major casualties remain this woman somehow outside of women’s stereotyped roles. On the other hand, the plan she used to change the course of history is quite silly. Which make you think that this character appeared to be just the butt of a joke. Aristophanes does not show exactly what the right opinion is and leaves every reader an opportunity to choose for himself.
Conclusion
So, don’t be afraid of breaking standards and listening to your heart. If you have a creative idea in your head do not let it die. Make at least simple attempts to make your wishes come true. Surely it would be a complicated task but if the life was an easy thing it would be really boring. All the challenges and obstacles that you came across serve as practical seminars to fasten your knowledge on the learnt material. It’s really time-consuming to understand this golden rule of life but you just do not have a choice. If you want to live a real life you have to learn not only how to succeed but how to retrieve your losses after any defeat.
Works Cited
Austin, M. Economic and Social History of Ancient Greece: An Introduction. Los Angeles: University of California Press. 1977.
Gulick, Charles Burton. Modern Traits in Old Greek Life. New York: Cooper Square. 1963.
Hooper, Finley. Greek Realities: Life and Thought in Ancient Greece. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 1978.
Kaylaboo. Today’s Woman. TeenInk, 1989. Web, 23 Oct.1989
Shaw, Michael. "The Female Intruder: Women in Fifth-Century Drama." Classical Philology. Web, 8 Dec. 2013.
Slater, Philip E. "Sex and State in Ancient Greece." Web, 9 Dec. 2013.
Tannahill, Reay. Sex in History. London: Scarborough House. 1992.
