In a paper that consists of eight pages Lysistrata is featured in a consideration of how Aristophanes depicts women in male roles and also incudes a discussion of Euripides' Medea which also featured strong female characters. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.
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as the primary forces of power. Women are more likely only supporting characters who serve to support the men. But, in some of the stories we are presented with women
as a force to be reckoned with, a force that is equal to the power of men. Aristophanes was a writer who often put women in positions of power. In
the following paper we examine his famous story "Lysistrata" and illustrate how she was a powerful woman who used her sexuality to take control of situations. The paper also offers
a brief look at "Medea" by Euripides illustrating how other authors presented strong women who resembled men in their role. Lysistrata In the play "Lysistrata" we see a
comedy wherein women possess the power to control their men. It is a story which serves to provide us with the following argument: "For to help women to earn their
livings in the professions is to help them possess that weapon of independent opinion which is still their most powerful weapon. It is to help them have a mind of
their own and a will of their own with which to help you to prevent war" (Sy-Quia women_intro.html). And, that power is possessed through their control of sex with their
men. The entire idea of controlling the men was essentially the idea of Lysistrata. She was, as we shall see, a woman of strength and intelligence. She urged the other
women to join her and although some women seemed unable to stick to the plan, Lysistratas plan was largely a success. In the following paper we examine the character of
Lysistrata, examining what makes her tick, what pushed her to act as she did, and what her inherent characteristics appear to be. Lysistrata is, perhaps first and foremost, a