Lysistrata

by Aristophanes; Henderson, Jeffrey (Translator)

• ISBN13: 9780941051026
• ISBN10: 0941051021
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1988-01-01
• Publisher: Focus Publishing/R. Pullins Co.

Summary

This is an English translation of Aristophanes' most popular comedy Lysistrata which appeals to the modern reader because of its lively and imaginative plot, memorable heroine, good jokes, and appeal for peace and tolerance between nations and between the sexes. Includes background material on the historical and cultural context of this work, suggestions for further reading, notes, and a map. Focus Classical Library provides close translations with notes and essays to provide access to understanding Greek culture.

Author Biography

Jeffrey Henderson (PhD Harvard) is William Goodwin Aurelio Professor of Greek Language and Literature at Boston University, and General Editor of the Loeb Classical Library. He is the author of groundbreaking translations and articles on Greek comic dramatists. His other translations for Focus Classical Library include Aristophanes’ "Lysistrata", "Clouds, "Frogs", "The Birds", and "Three Comedies: Acharnians, Lysistrata, Clouds."

Table of Contents

ContentsPreface 1 Map of Ancient Greece and Environs 3 Introduction 5 Aristophanes and Old Comedy 5 Lysistrata, and the Events of 411 10 Production 15 General Bibliography 17 Suggestions for Further Reading 18 Theater of Dionysos 19 Lysistrata 21

Excerpts

Aristophanes’Lysistrata
CHARACTERS

SPEAKING CHARACTERS
Lysistrata, an Athenian woman Rod, Myrrhine’s husband
Calonice, an Athenian wife Spartan Herald
Myrrhine, an Athenian wife Spartan Ambassador
Lampito, a Spartan woman Athenian Ambassador
Magistrate, an Athenian bureaucrat Athenian, friend of the
Old Women, three helpers of Lysistrata Ambassador

MUTE CHARACTERS
Athenian Wives Nurse with Rod
Foreign Wives Baby with Rod
Policewoman with Wives Reconciliation, a naked girl
Slaves with Magistrate Spartan Husbands
Police with Magistrate Athenian Husbands
Athenian Old Women Doorkeeper

CHORUS
Old War-Veterans, twelve Old Wives, twelve


SCENE I
Lysistrata
If I’d invited them to drink some wine
or talk about the kids or go out dancing,
you’d hear the sound of high heels everywhere.
But now there’s not a single wife in sight.
Well, here’s my next-door neighbor, anyway.      5
Hi, Calonice.º
Calonice
Hi to you, Lysistrata.
Hey, why the dirty looks? Cheer up, kiddo.
Don’t frown, you’ll wrinkle up your pretty face.
Lysistrata
I’m angry, Calonice, deeply hurt,
in fact offended by the wives, byus,                 10
because, according to our husbands we’re
the best at clever schemes—
Calonice
And that’s the truth.
Lysistrata
—but when I tell them all to meet me here,
to scheme about the most important things,
they’re sleeping in and don’t show up.
Calonice
They’ll show.                                                     15
It’s not so easy getting out this early.
We’ve got to do our husbands little favors,
we’ve got to get the servants out of bed,
we’ve got to wash and feed and burp the kids.
Lysistrata
But they’ve got more important things to do      20
than those!
Calonice
OK, Lysistrata, suppose
you tell me why we’re meeting here. The deal.
Is it a big one?
Lysistrata
Very big.
Calonice
Not hard as well?
Lysistrata
It’s very hard.