Lysistrata

Lysistrata Summary | Part 1 Summary

Lysistrata paces, waiting for the women of Athens to arrive for their meeting. Her friend Kleonike arrives, and Lysistrata complains that if there's a festival women are there in a hurry, but for what she has in mind - nothing! Kleonike reassures her that the women will be there and then asks why she's called the meeting. Lysistrata says she's been thinking about the state of things for quite a while and has come to the conclusion that the only way Greece can achieve unity and peace is if the women take control. Kleonike tells her to be practical, saying that women are only good for being pretty, ornamental and sexy. She loses herself in thoughts of all her pretty clothes, but Lysistrata brings her back to reality by saying that's exactly her point, that salvation will be gained by women making themselves so pretty that their men will never want to go to war again.

Other women arrive, including pretty young Myrrhine and big strapping Lampito, leading a delegation from Sparta. Lampito introduces a well-off young woman named Boiotia and another girl from Korinth. The other women look them over and make crude double-entendres about their looks, but Lampito demands that Lysistrata tell them why she's called them together.

Lysistrata begins by asking the women how they feel about their men being at war. Kleonike, Lampito and Myrrhine all complain that since their men have been in the army they've hardly been home at all. Lysistrata then asks whether they'd support her if she came up with an idea to end the war. The others say they will, and Lysistrata explains her plan, that all the women will abstain from sexual relations with their men until they agree to end the war.

As soon as the women hear the plan they turn away, saying that there's no way they can give up sex. Only Lampito is supportive, and Lysistrata says she's the only woman there worthy of being called a woman. Kleonike asks for more details, and Lysistrata explains that for her plan to work, the women have to make themselves as beautiful and sexy as they can. They will lead their men on, and then at the moment the men are most aroused, the women will refuse to go all the way. She adds that if the men insist, the women are to put up with what the men want to do but make it clear they're taking no pleasure in it. Kleonike is still not convinced.

Lampito says that she has no concerns about making it work with the men of Sparta, but she wonders about the men of Athens. Lysistrata says she'll bring them around and that part of her plan involves taking over Athene's temple and the Akropolis. She adds that there's a group of older Athenian women waiting there now for her signal. Lampito is convinced, and Lysistrata suggests they take an oath to seal their bargain.

Lysistrata looks for a shield on which to swear the oath, but Kleonike tells her a peace oath can't be sworn on a soldier's shield. She suggests an oath sealed by sipping from a cup of wine. Lampito agrees, and Lysistrata calls for wine and a goblet. After both are brought out, Lysistrata says a prayer over the wine. As it's poured, the women make jokes about the similarity of wine and blood, and Lysistrata says they need someone to represent all the women in taking the oath. Everybody but Kleonike steps away. Kleonike reluctantly takes hold of the goblet along with Lysistrata. Line by line, Lysistrata recites the vow, and line by line, Kleonike repeats it. Lysistrata and Kleonike drink from the goblet, and then as the other women pass the goblet between them, sounds of fighting are heard. Lysistrata announces that the women have taken control of Athene's temple and then tells Lampito it's time for her to head back to Sparta and spread the word. Lampito goes out, and Lysistrata leads the other women up to the Akropolis.