53 pages 1 hour read

Aristophanes

Lysistrata

Fiction | Play | Adult

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Important Quotes

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“But the gods and Euripides both hate women.” 


(Line 19)

While the tragedian Euripides often raised thought-provoking questions about women’s issues in antiquity, his rebellious and controversial female characters paradoxically saw him branded as a misogynist.

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“To pile up one pyre and set it afire / For all with a hand in this wicked affair / Can pass without debate or amendments / Or special pleading—well, first get Lycon’s wife.” 


(Lines 267-270)

Another example of Aristophanes taking a jab at a contemporary figure—in this case, the politician Lycon’s wife, who was rumored to be rather promiscuous.

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“If somebody had done a proper job. / Of slapping them, they’d keep their yappers shut.” 


(Lines 360-361)

Despite various threats of physical violence, the fight between Lysistrata’s male and female choruses is mostly verbal (with the occasional slapstick scuffle).