The women of Athens, led by Lysistrata and supported
by female delegates from the other states of Hellas,
determine to take matters into their own hands and
force the men to stop the War. They meet in solemn
conclave, and Lysistrata expounds her scheme, the
rigorous application to husbands and lovers of a self-denying
ordinance—“we must refrain from the
male organ altogether.” Every wife and
mistress is to refuse all sexual favours whatsoever,
till the men have come to terms of peace. In cases
where the women must yield ‘par force
majeure,’ then it is to be with an ill grace
and in such a way as to afford the minimum of gratification
to their partner; they are to lie passive and take
no more part in the amorous game than they are absolutely
obliged to. By these means Lysistrata assures
them they will very soon gain their end. “If
we sit indoors prettily dressed out in our best transparent
silks and prettiest gewgaws, and with our ‘mottes’
all nicely depilated, their tools will stand up so
stiff that they will be able to deny us nothing.”
Such is the burden of her advice.
After no little demur, this plan of campaign is adopted,
and the assembled women take a solemn oath to observe
the compact faithfully. Meantime as a precautionary
measure they seize the Acropolis, where the State
treasure is kept; the old men of the city assault the
doors, but are repulsed by “the terrible regiment”
of women. Before long the device of the bold
Lysistrata proves entirely effective, Peace is concluded,
and the play ends with the hilarious festivities of
the Athenian and Spartan plenipotentiaries in celebration
of the event.
This drama has a double Chorus—of women
and of old men, and much excellent fooling is got
out of the fight for possession of the citadel between
the two hostile bands; while the broad jokes and decidedly
suggestive situations arising out of the general idea
of the plot outlined above may be “better imagined
than described.”
* * * *
*
LYSISTRATA
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
LYSISTRATA.
CALONICÉ.
MYRRHINÉ.
LAMPITO.
STRATYLLIS.
A MAGISTRATE.
CINESIAS.
A CHILD.
HERALD OF THE LACEDAEMONIANS.
ENVOYS OF THE LACEDAEMONIANS.
POLYCHARIDES.
MARKET LOUNGERS.
A SERVANT.
AN ATHENIAN CITIZEN.
CHORUS OF OLD MEN.
CHORUS OF WOMEN.
SCENE: In a public square at Athens; afterwards
before the gates of the
Acropolis, and finally within the precincts of the
citadel.
* * * *
*
LYSISTRATA
LYSISTRATA (alone). Ah! if only they had
been invited to a Bacchic revelling, or a feast of
Pan or Aphrodité or Genetyllis,[390] why! the streets
would have been impassable for the thronging tambourines!
Now there’s never a woman here-ah! except my
neighbour Calonicé, whom I see approaching yonder....
Good day, Calonicé.
