In the play Lysistrata, the main character is an Athenian woman by the name of Lysistrata. Infuriated by the Peloponnesian War, Lysistrata decided to take it upon herself to bring an end to the destruction and torn-apart families by any means possible. Through leadership, respect and intelligence Lysistrata is able to successful see her plan through till an accord is finally made between the two sparring nations of Athens and Sparta.
Lysistrata is portrayed as being of middle age – she is older than many of her peers in the alliance of Greek women, however, she is considerable younger than the almost decrypted members of the chorus of women. It is perceived that Lysistrata is not the most – becoming of the women and that she is not in the least bit a beauty such as Ismenia, the Boiotion girl, or the Korinthian girl. It could be assumed that because she is not the most beautiful of the women, Lysistrata judges the women by their first appearances and shun those she finds to be lacking. “Why darling you are simply ravishing! Such a blemishless complexion – so clean and so out of doors.” (Lysistrata,21)The author carefully and thoughtfully was hesitant to put too many details into the appearance of Lysistrata as not to distract from the more important qualities of Lysistrata.
Lysistrata is very critical of the other women around her. While she argues that the men are constantly belittling the women of the alliance for their “weaknesses” and being consumed with their appearance, one might venture the thought that Lysistrata herself has, herself, also done a lot of damage to the demeanor of the young women as she is often seen making snide comments about how unreliable, image-absorbed and weak in inner strength women are. “Utter sluts, the entire sex! Will-power, nil. We’re perfect raw materialfor Tragedy, the stuff of heroic lays. “Go to bed with a god and then get rid of the baby”-that sums us up!” (Lysistrata, 27)Throughout the play she often is seen doubting the...