Lysistrat A Political Satire Written By Aristophanes

Lysistrata was a political satire written by Aristophanes in early 400 B.C.E., and was performed in Athens. The connection between Lysistrata and the society and culture surrounding it is deeply significant. Due to the immense cultural pressure in this period, it’s difficult to pinpoint a singular theme that Aristophanes was trying to make a comment on. With the Peloponnesian War continuing to lead a seemingly endless reign of chaos over Greece and its citizens, these elements of fear and despair became very relevant in the plays of the time, most notably being Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. Within such satires, it became commonplace to see women being used as satirical devices to call attention to the craziness that had consumed society. It also contributed to the idea of women having a social or political power and, more importantly, having worth and a voice. Although it is impossible to know exactly which social aspects Aristophanes was trying to comment on, through histo rical documents and contexts, it is clear that statements were made condemning war through the satirical use of subverting gender norms to reinforce the foolishness in society and fighting. The fighting and devastation that influenced Aristophanes was the result of the Peloponnesian War. The war had been reigning terror and sorrow from about 431 to 404 B.C.E. across the Greek nation (â€Å"The Peloponnesian War†). It was fought between Sparta and Athens, however, each of these cities served as the head of