Lysistrata

A Spartan herald arrives, erringly asking for Athens’ “Elders” (the Spartan way of governing) before awkwardly correcting himself (980-1). In a slapstick scene of physical comedy, it becomes clear he is suffering from the same sexual desperation as Cinesias, who asks him “Are you a human being or a pole?” (982).

The herald has come to arrange a compromise; the Spartans are suffering from the strike just as much as the Athenians. Lysistrata’s Spartan ally Lampito has done her job well: “[…] all over Sparta, when they heard, / The women thundered from the starting line— / There went our pussy in a cloud of dust” (999-1001). Cinesias suggests he bring Spartan ambassadors who can deliberate peace talks; he himself will go to Athens’ governing body, the Council of Five Hundred, to do the same.

The men’s chorus repeats their hatred of women, while the women remind them that they look silly, being naked. Their leader kindly drapes the men’s leader in a cloth and helps remove a gnat from his eye (1020-35). The men are suspicious of their good will and try to keep up their adage that “women are / Abomination indispensable” (1039-40), but soon relent.