Lysistrata: Women

In the play, women are portrayed as the controllers of the household. Cleonice explains that the other women are helping their husbands, getting their servants up, and taking care of their children. They are also portrayed as sexual objects. Even Cleonice treats the other women as sexual beings when she exposes one's breast and another's "garden." These portrayals are consistent with the cultural views of Greek women at that time. Women stayed in the house to maintain it and raise the children. They were also responsible for giving their husbands a male heir. Lysistrata defies the stereotypes of the day by asking women to deny their husbands sex. She also has the women come with her to the Acropolis. This would be uncommon, because most women stayed in their homes. Lysistrata also defies the stereotypes by being so involved in politics. This is revolutionary because women could not even vote or hold office.