Character Analysis - Lysistrata Play by Aristophanes - Term Paper Example

Character Analysis Play of Aristophanes- Lysistrata In this play Lysistrata there are quite a few characters out of which the major character is Lysistrata, Kineseas and Chorus of old men and women. Aristophanes plays no fiddle with his characters. They are extremely important and are shaped tremendously well. Lysistrata '“Lysistrata is the ultimate MC (master of ceremonies) and director of the action of Lysistrata.” (Spark Notes) She is responsible for giving instructions to everyone. Apart from this she carefully observes and coaches the women. . “A good example of this "coaching" is Lysistrata interaction with Myrrhine when Kinesias comes to the Akropolis. Before Kinesias arrives at the Akropolis, Lysistrata gives Myrrhine specific directions on how to act with her husband and then watches to make sure that Myrrhine doesn't give in to Kinesias. From her perch, Lysistrata is the overseer of the action. Lysistrata is also separate from the action of the play and the other women of the play because she does not participate in either the sex strike or the seizure of the Akropolis. While Lysistrata is the mastermind for both of these attacks, she does not take part in them.” (Spark Notes) Lysistrata is bound to be pious and cannot fulfil her sexual desires. She is different and receives more respect from the people and the commissioner. This complements to her position as the leader of Greece. Also she is so smart and self-independent that she can hang up her head in a male dominated society and is even called up for the truce between Athens and Sparta. This explains the impact of single women on a whole male dominated society. “It has also been suggested that Lysistrata was a representative of traditional religion which also may have allowed her to be somewhat separate or have a higher social ranking than the other women. This theory, developed by Papadimitriou and Lewis goes as follows. The priestess of Athena Polias was the most famous priestess in Athens. There is significant evidence that in the late fifth century BCE, a woman by the name of Lysimakhe held this post. Lysimakhe was the priestess of Athena Loias for sixty-four years.” (Spark Notes) All in all she is an extremely influential person, such a female people look forward to and even this being a play from ancient times she symbolises strength and power held by a female. Kinesias Kinesias is a subject to much slander and abuse from other males and he is also fooled by his wife. He is mocked and treated in a bad way. He is symbolic of a weak man in a society were a female is the head of the state. “In Lysistrata, Kinesias proves himself a buffoon, poor father and misogynist-extraordinaire. As many of the women of Greece exemplify the idealized or stereotypical female, Kinesias represents the stereotypical, dimwitted male figure; Kinesias only seeks out his wife because he has a painful erection, he is unable to care for his own children and is outwitted by his playful wife. Kinesias's character confirms that Aristophanes meant Lysistrata to be a play mocking the sexual desires and attributes of both sexes.” (Spark Notes) So this is an extremely important character with aspect to the play and there is multiple evidences throughout the play to suggest this. Chorus of Old Men & Chorus of Old Women The chorus in this skit is divided into two parts. There is Chorus of Old Men & Chorus of Old Women. These fill in the comical or funny aspect of the skit. This is because of the various events which take place throughout the skit. . The action and association between the two choruses counterparts the achievement of the story; as pressures between men and women upsurge, so does the struggling between the choruses. When peace is declared, the choruses join together as one. “This dynamic between the male and female choruses also reveals the dependency between the domestic and political lives of the Athenian people. Like Sparta and Athens, like Myrrhine and Kinesias, like the Koryphaios of Men and the Koryphaios of Women, the choruses find reconciliation when the state declares peace. The Choruses also serve to place the events of the story within the Greek religious and historical tradition. The songs of the men and women constantly refer to other mythological and historical events that are like those that happen on stage.” (Spark Notes) Characters by Terence Terence had a habit of using repetitive characters in his plays. He used the same people over and over again just to create the impact. Also there were many instances through which he developed the characters and these were extremely popular in those days. Characters in Andria The character of the old man is used in a number of occasions one such place is in the play, Andria in the form of Crito. He is a professional man and gies looks in a way which perfectly fits his role. He is responsible for the chivalrous nature of the plays and allowing the play to really become a comedy. Another similar character is that of the father in the play Andria. The name of the father is Chremes. He is a modest well-balanced man who looks after his family. He is a concerned father and a responsible man. There are instances where he has shown his responsibility. So these characters are such that they can be seen in our everyday lives and these can be related as well. The weakness of Terence lies in his lack of the bolder elements of action. His characters are somewhat deficient in variety, and his situations are inferior to those of Plautus. He is superior to Plautus in refinement and taste, but never equal to him in exuberance of spirits and in comic force. Comparatively speaking, Plautus was the untutored genius, Terence the conscious artist; Plautus the practical playwright, Terence the elegant literary craftsman. Plautus wrote for the crowd, Terence for the aristocracy. Even with the equivocal subjects of the new comedy, Terence did not make vice attractive. As with Plautus, when once the irregular situation is granted, the plays are found to be full of moral sentiments and advice of a prudent and wise nature. References Jstor, Terence, 2011, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4171672?seq=4 SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Lysistrata.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 23 Sept. 2011. Theatre Database, Terence, 2011, http://www.theatredatabase.com/ancient/terence_001.html Terence. "Andria." Cyclopedia of Literary Characters, Revised Third Edition. Salem Press, 1998. eNotes.com. 2006. 28 Sep, 2011 Read More