Lysistrata

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Lysistrata. Although I was not able to follow all of the set directions and other details, I did grasp the main components of the play and I was able to follow the plot. The concept of the chorus was somewhat confusing, as I was unsure at times of whose perspective they were speaking from.

I found the play to be surprisingly entertaining, given the fact that it was written over two thousand years ago in a society and culture much different from our own. I was especially surprised by the plays on words that translated so fluidly form the Greek into our modern lexicon.  I appreciated the lack of subtlety when they were discussing the more risqué aspects of the comedy. I find that this honesty in dealing with touchy subjects (just saying it, rather than dancing around the subject) is notably absent in our postmodern culture where we do not want to offend anyone’s morals.

I was also surprised that women were shown in such a powerful position. I have not taken a history class on ancient Greece in years, so it was reassuring to know that women at least had some rights, even in ancient societies (although those privileges and rights were diminished and changed over the years).

I am curious to know whether the play, at the time of its premier in Greece, was seen as risqué or avant-garde, or whether the subject matter and method of display were taken as normal and conventional.