module 4-6

1. How does Lysistrata end?

Lysistrata ends in peace. The men and women agree to end war. Its more of a treaty agreement than necessarily that of peace. A little more background helps us to have a clear understanding of what really occurred. Events that actually occured include, Lysistrata gathered up all the women of Greece with the intention of putting an end to the Peloponnesian War. She asks of them refuse to have sex with their husbands until a treaty for peace has been agreed upon and signed. After excessive periods of sexual frustrations the men are at their wits end and beg for a treaty to be agreed upon and signed.

1. What is the purpose of Lysistrata's meeting at the beginning of the play?

Lysistrata has planned a meeting between all of the women of Greece to discuss the plan to end the Peloponnesian War. Lysistrata states that she has a plan to bring "salvation to Greece". Her intent was to bring peace by persuading the men to end the war. She thought by withholding any marital relations from the men, they would be willing to make peace between their enemies.

1. How does Lysistrata use a ball of wool?

Lysistrata uses a ball of wool, by washing it, plucking away parasites, and then clumping it together. This serves as an illustration of the style in which women could clean up the government.

1. What is Medea's plan for Jason and his new wife?

Medea engages in a ruse; she pretends to sympathize with Jason (bringing him into her confidence) and offers his wife "gifts," a coronet and dress. Ostensibly, the gifts are meant to convince Glauce to ask her father to allow the children to stay in Corinth. The coronet and dress are actually poisoned, however, and their delivery causes Glauce's death. Seeing his daughter ravaged by the poison, Creon chooses to die by her side by dramatically embracing her and absorbing the poison himself. Additionally, she plans to kill Jason's sons.

1. How does Medea escape?

Medea escapes by flying away in a flying chariot, which she recieved from Helios.

1. Who are Myrrhine and Cinesias?

Myrrhine took part in the oath taken to help end the war. She teases her husband, Cinesias and then disappears when he thinks that she is going to come to bed with him. He uses their child in an effort to try and persuade her home. He is left with a permenant erection after being teased by her.

1. Does Medea really make up with Jason?

No Medea did not really make up with Jason it was just all apart of her evil plan to kill his bride, her father, and their two sons.

1. What is stichomythia?

Stichomythia (stik uh MITH e uh) consists of brief, alternating lines of dialogue spoken in rapid-fire succession. It occurs frequently in Greek drama, especially when characters are arguing or expressing strong emotions. Following is an example of stichomythia in Lysistrata. The leader of the men's chorus and the leader of the women's chorus are threatening each other. LEADER OF CHORUS OF OLD MEN Silence! or my stick will cut short your days. LEADER OF CHORUS OF WOMEN Now, just you dare to touch Stratyllis with the tip of your finger!

1. Where and when does Lysistrata take place?

The action of Lysistrata takes place in Athens, Greece during the Peloponnesian Wars. Specifically, Lysistrata occurs during the 20th year of the war. The two sides of the Peloponnesian Wars are Athens and Sparta. The scenes take place in the Acropolis, which is a citadel on a limestone hill.

1. How do the old men try to end the women's takeover of the Acropolis?

The old men try to end the women's takeover of the Acropolis by carrying wood and earthen pots of fire to try and smoke the women out of Acropolis. at this time, it was owned by Athena and Athena placed her treasury in this place. Once this place was seized by the women, the men had no access to public funds. These funds were vital as it supported things such as the war funds. This was one of the clever was that the women indirectly attempted to end wars.

1. What was Aristophanes's purpose?

When Aristophanes staged Lysistrata, he wanted to make people laugh. And he has been succeeding in that goal for more than 2,400 years, for the play is a masterly comedy that appeals to people of every time and place. He also wanted to deliver a message to theater audiences of fifth-century Athens: that the war between Athens and Sparta was an exercise in stupidity--a senseless waste of people and resources.

1. Name and define the 5 structural parts of Old Greek Comedy

1. Prologue is the leading character describing a happy idea. 2. Parados is an entrance of the chorus. 3. Agon is a debate between the creator of the happy idea and one who opposes the idea. 4. Parabasis is the chorus address to the audience. 5. Episode is the happy idea put into practice.

1. Give 9 characteristics of Old Greek Comedy

1.poetic drama 2. fantastic and unrealistic 3.loose plots, broad farce and buffoonery, 4. frank coarseness and obscenity, 5.usually a satire of important contemporary issues in Athenian life: political,social,moral issues, 6.plays were presented at the festival of Dionysus following the tragedies , 7. contest among the wroters for the best play, 8. actors wore masks and soccus (sandals), 9.chorus often wore fantastic costumes.

1. Give background on the author of Lysistrata. `

Aristophanes is the author of Lysistrata. He was the main writer of old comedy and although little is known of him, most of his 40 plays were written during the Peloponnesian War.

1. What oath do the women make over a bowl of wine from which they drink?

they plot to end the war and bring their husbands home. The plan is that the women will refuse all marital relations until Sparta and Athens make peace. They swear an oath to abide by the plan at all costs. To fully committ to this, they lock themselves up in the Temple of Athena. after Lysistrata assemble and convince the women to listen to what she had to say and her ideas upon ending the war, She then calls for a shield to sacrafice a sheep on and swear a specific oath that they will follow her directions and help to make peace in Greece. But instead of slughtering a sheep on a shield when trying to make peace, they slaughter a jar of wine instead.