Lysistrata (Signet Classics) Mass Market Paperback – April 7, 2009

The witty text by Aristophanes is well translated, the introduction is enlightening, and I love the illustrations by Picasso: sinuous linear drawings, both sensual and humorous, winking at the classical representations of Greek soldiers in particular, they admirably complement the text. This edition by the Easton Press is elegant. Holding this book and reading it is a pleasure. This book is for amateurs of Picasso drawings in his classical mode, for people who enjoy not only Greek comedy but also simply wit, and for anyone who enjoy a beautiful book in which text and illustrations complement each other in a harmonious whole.

The story and the writing and the presence of phrases we use today (I really hope they are not an inclusion of the translator) can give a tricky sensation that the story has been written at most one hundred of years ago and not the two and half millennia that it has (!). The story is about a way that the heroine, Lysistrata, has devised to end the war that men have waged, the funny thing is that her reason to ideate her plan is the, mostly erotic, longing she feels for not being able to be with his man, and this is the reason the women of Greece accept to back her plan.It is not a war of sexes as the motivation is not to prove which side is the strongest; is rather a way to reunite women and men separated in love by the long war. Also I notice some observations about the government in times of Aristophanes.The translation is what almost gave me reason to give three stars to the book, this because as I am not native English speaker the Scottish accent given to the Spartans seems to me out of place and tiring to decode. Other point that makes me dubious of the work of the translator is if he decided to give a contemporary accent to Spartans thus what guaranty one could have that he has not introduced modern phrases to replace old ones... Finally I believe that with works so ancient is better to use a modern English than one that looks artificially old and disguises the natural poetry with anachronistic clothes. But then again this is a personal observation that could be no usual with the uses in English language.

After war has raged on too long between Greece and Sparta, Lysistrata leads the women of both lands to pledge they will deny sex to their lovers and husbands until peace is reached. The reason is initially because the war has been too long, and then as the men have gone away to battle, leaving their wives alone and bereft. But there is an interesting and brief mention that the women's sons are dying in the war as well, which the men ask not to be brought up again out of grief. As the play is a comedy, this is probably why the loss of children is not discussed further.In her plan, Lysistrata is reducing men to their basest selves, but in truth, she is doing the same to women. She tells the women how hard it will be for them to resist their carnal urges and some women do try and run home for trysts with their husbands. She is also playing to the vision of women as the temptresses, the earthly examples of Aphrodite, upon whom the chorus calls for strength and for power over men.Beyond the sexual withholding, there is a reckoning for the men of both countries, the men of which have not counseled the women. The men's chorus responds with incredulously that a woman should give counsel regarding affairs of war or state. And here is where I think it is most interesting, because one woman provides evidence, saying women control the household finances and budgeting, so why wouldn't a woman be qualified in economic matters of state, as they are not dissimilar. The women's chorus also sings, "It should not prejudice my voice that I’m not born a man, If I say something advantageous to the present situation. For I’m taxed too, and as a toll provide men for the nation."Thus, although this is a play that is on the outset about women withholding sex until men are so lovesick, they throw away their stubbornness and allow women (A woman) to broker peace, there is a richness of other thought beneath the sex comedy.

The story:The story was ok. Difficult to understand because of the differences between our modern American culture and the ancient Greek's. Comical and light hearted. Gives good insight into the lives of women during the time period. Wouldn't read it again for pleasure, though.This edition for the Kindle:Great. No problems with it at all. Translation seems fine. Plus the price is good. If you need to read this story, don't be afraid to download this edition to do it.

I ordered this bc my high school honors class is going to read it. The translation is fabulous and totally modern and understandable, however, be warned that it is quite sexually graphic. I know the story is the same, but I guess it seems more raunchy in this version as compared to a more classical translation. Regardless of this, I personally LOVED the story as portrayed here and even read excerpts to my classes to help them understand different parts. This is a great and hilarious read, but definitely for adults :)