Lysistrata

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Option 1: Lysistrata. Choose one (1) of the following questions and write an essay in response to it:

1) What serious messages, other than a general anti-war message, are expressed in the play? Some things to consider: the failure of communication both among and between the sexes; the lack of respect or dismissiveness for the other side; short-term, selfish, and self-destructive thinking (the vanity, ego, and machismo of some characters is one reflection of this); a lack of self-respect of some of the characters; the power of example (namely Lysistrata’s).

2) This question has two parts: a) What factors contribute to urban gun violence in America according to Father Pfleger (the priest in Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq). Do you agree with all his points? Could or should anything be added to or subtracted from his assessment? b) What do you think would be the best way to address the gun violence problem portrayed in the movie? In other words, how would you solve it? (Real world solutions only, please!)

Option 2: Julius Caesar. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar could be titled The Tragedy of Rome, or The Tragedy of Brutus.Your assignment: Analyze the character of Brutus.Show your reader how Brutuss own words and actions bring about a catastrophe for Rome and his own downfall, giving rise to questions about his judgment and integrity. Find things that he says or does that reveal the quality of his leadership and the content of his character. Identify places in the play that reveal his guilty conscience, his faulty or self-serving reasoning, and his bad decision-making in everything from the personal to the political to the military. Then, most importantly, explain to your reader how and why these things you’ve identified lead to his downfall and a disaster for Rome. In other words, analyze the important decisions he makes as well as the reasons he gives for his actions, and discuss the consequences. (The page “Brutus Character Analysis Exercise” in this Module provides an excellent guide to help you write this paper.). Use examples from the play to back up your points, but keep quotations brief and concentrate on your explanations.To cite the text, place Act, Scene, and Line numbers in parentheses at the end of your quotation. Example: Your quotation here (1.3.5-7).

Option 3: Othello. For this option, analyze the play by focusing on one of the following characters: Cassio, Desdemona, Othello, or Iago. Explore the motives, emotions and circumstances of the character you choose, and his or her relationships with all the other significant characters in the play. Try to give your reader a good sense of why things play out as they do. Each of these characters has significant interactions with all the others, and you will end up discussing them all no matter which one you choose to focus on. But try to explain what happens in Othello by following the trajectory of a single character throughout the entire play. As always, use short but effective quotations from the play to point out significant words and actions, but focus mainly on your explanations of what the words and deeds mean and why we should agree with your analysis. To cite the text, place Act, Scene, and Line numbers in parentheses at the end of your quotation. Example: Your quotation here (1.3.5).

Option 4: Hamlet. For this option, paraphrase and analyze Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy beginning at 3.1.57 and ending at 3.1.89. Explain as fully and clearly as you can the events and circumstances hes reacting to, as well as what his words mean. There are two parts to your assignment: Part 1: Paraphrase it. That means “translate” what he says into your own words (not No Fear Shakespeare’s words or anybody else’s). Make sure you capture anything and everything he may be implying or suggesting. Don’t just include what he says, tell us as much as you can about what is implied, what’s between the lines, where he’s coming from, etc. Don’t assume that what seems obvious to you is obvious to your readers. When in doubt, spell it out. Part 2: Analyze it. Explain why what he says is important for us to understand him as a character, and how it gives us insight into his reaction to what has already happened, and how it helps us to understand his actions as the play goes forward. Some things to think about as you analyze it: What prompts him to launch into this speech? What has been happening to him, and how is he reacting to it? What is his mental and emotional state, and why is he thinking and feeling that way? What issues is he trying to work out? What ideas is he speculating on? What do we learn about his outlook, his fears, his personality? How does what he says here give us insight into his motives in events in the play that come after this speech? Give us as good a character sketch of Hamlet as you can, using this soliloquy as a guide to his mindset and actions. Feel free to psychoanalyze the melancholy young Dane, but back up what you say with evidence from the text. The better you explain what he means, why he’s feeling the way he does, and how it all relates to what happens in the play, the better your grade will be. As always, use short but effective quotations from the text to point to significant words and events, but focus mainly on your explanations of what we learn from his words and actions. To cite the text, place Act, Scene, and Line numbers in parentheses at the end of your quotation. Example: Your quotation here (1.3.5).

Option 5: Antony and Cleopatra. Many would argue that the true “hero” of this play is Cleopatra. She is often discussed by other characters, and portrayed as enigmatic and exotic. Antony dies in Act 4 of the play yet Cleopatra does not die until Act 5. In the end, she is still in control, wearing her queenly regalia and choosing the time and manner of her death. Your assignment: Analyze the character of Cleopatra.Explain her character by examining what she says, what she does, what other characters say and do about her, or to her, or because of her, to determine what we as the audience should think of her. Is she a “hero” like other central characters in Shakespeare’s plays we’ve read (e.g. Hamlet, Othello, Brutus? Why or why not?

Sample Solution

Option 1: Lysistrata – Essay Option 1

Beyond the Anti-War Anthem: A Look at Lysistrata’s Serious Messages

Aristophanes’ Lysistrata is a farcical comedy known primarily for its outrageous premise – women withholding sex to force men to end the Peloponnesian War. However, beneath the bawdy humor and slapstick routines lie deeper messages that explore the societal ills plaguing Athens. This essay will delve into some of these serious messages, focusing on the play’s critique of communication breakdown, the dangers of short-sightedness, and the power of positive leadership.  

The play exposes the devastating consequences of communication failure. Men and women operate in separate spheres, unable to bridge the gap between war rhetoric and the lived experience of women who bear the brunt of the conflict. Lysistrata highlights this by initiating her plan without informing the men, emphasizing the lack of trust and dialogue. The men, blinded by their pride and fueled by misinformation, resort to threats and posturing instead of seeking compromise. This satirical portrayal exposes the dangers of unchecked emotions and the need for open communication to resolve conflict.

Furthermore, Lysistrata criticizes the short-sightedness and self-destructive tendencies that perpetuate war. The men, driven by ego and a misplaced sense of honor, prioritize glory over peace. Kinesias, for instance, embodies this flawed thinking, prioritizing personal satisfaction over the well-being of his family. The play suggests that these destructive tendencies stem from a lack of focus on long-term consequences. Here, Lysistrata emerges as a voice of reason, reminding them of the sacrifices women bear – the loss of loved ones, the economic hardship – urging them to prioritize rebuilding a peaceful society.  

Finally, the play celebrates the power of positive leadership embodied in Lysistrata. Her intelligence, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to peace inspire the women to act collectively. She exemplifies the importance of decisive action, even when it challenges societal norms. Her charisma and leadership unite the women across social and economic divides, demonstrating the power of collective action. Lysistrata’s success, despite the initial resistance, highlights the transformative potential of effective leadership that prioritizes the greater good.  

In conclusion, while Lysistrata entertains audiences with its bawdy humor, it also offers a scathing critique of societal shortcomings. The play’s serious messages concerning communication breakdown, short-sighted leadership, and the power of collective action remain relevant today. By highlighting these issues, Lysistrata compels us to reflect on our own societal problems and the importance of communication, compromise, and responsible leadership in building a more peaceful world.

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