Discussion History

ARISTOPHANES

Lysistrata and Other Plays

THE ACHARNIANS,

THE CLOUDS, LYSISTRATA

Translated with an Introduction and Notes by

ALAN H. SOMMERSTEIN

REVISED EDITION

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Original translation first published 1973

This revised edition first published 2002

Copyright © Alan H. Sommerstein, 2002

All rights reserved

The moral right of the translator has been asserted

Set in 10.25/12.25 pt PostScript Adobe Sabon

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I

Contents

Chronology Vll

Introduction XI

Further Reading xlix

Translator’s Note Ii

Note on the Text liv

Preface to The Acharnians 3

THE ACHARNIANS 13

Preface to The Clouds 65 THE CLOUDS 75

Preface to Lysistrata 133 LYSISTRATA 141

Notes 195

138 LYSISTRATA

many men’s daughters from being given in marriage’ (Lysias, Against

Eratosthenes :2.1).

4. Elsewhere, for example, both in. comedy and other texts, it is rou-

tinely assumed that a man’s female slaves will be sexually available to

him; in Lysistrata there is almost complete silence about the very

existence of female slaves, even to the extent that when Cinesias comes

on stage with a baby, he has a male slave to look after it.

5. It is striking that in the hymn sung in lines 1279-90, in which the

Graces, Artemis, Apollo, Dionysus, Zeus and Hera are invited to join

the dance, and credit is given to Aphrodite for bringing the peace, no

mention is made of Athena, who in the play as a whole has been far

more prominent than any other divinity. Is this because Athena is

already present - as Lysistrata - and is, indeed, herself singing the

hymn?

6. There had been a similar play on the priestess’s name in Peace (line 992).

7. The Clouds, lines 601-2.

8. We now think of the former as ‘mythical’ and the latter as ‘historical’;

but for an Athenian both alike were part of his city’s glorious past, and

the Persian War had come to share space on public monuments and in

official oratory (e.g. at state funerals) with the Trojan War, the

Amazons’ invasion of Attica, and other episodes of the heroic age.

Characters

LYSISTRATA

CALONICE

MYRRHINE

LAMPITO, a Spartan woman

CHORUS OF OLD MEN

CHORUS OF OLD WOMEN (including their leader

STRATYLLIS)

MAGISTRATE, one of the ten probouloi

THREE OLD WOMEN from the group which has seized

the Acropolis

FOUR YOUNG WOMEN from the group which has

taken Lysistrata’s oath

CINESIAS, husband to Myrrhine

BABY, son of Cinesias and Myrrhine

A SPARTAN HERALD

A SPARTAN PEACE DELEGATE

TWO ATHENIAN PEACE DELEGATES

Silent Characters

ATHENIAN WOMEN, young and old

SPARTAN WOMEN

ISMENIA, a Theban woman

A CORINTHIAN WOMAN

SCYTHAENA, servant to Lysistrata

TWO SLAVES attending the Magistrate

FOUR SCYTHIAN POLICEMEN

MANES, slave to Cinesias

} Athenian women

140 LYSISTRATA

ATHENIAN AND SPARTAN PEACE DELEGATES

SERVANTS attending the Spartan delegates

RECONCILIATION

DOORKEEPER

...

SCENE: At first, in front of the houses of Lysistrata and

Calonice, somewhere in Athens; later the background building will be reidentified as the west front of the Acro-

polis. It is early morning.

[LYSISTRATA comes out of her house. She looks right

and left, with increasing impatience, to see if anyone is coming.]

LYSISTRATA [annoyed]: Just think if it had been a Bacchic

celebration they’d been asked to attend - or something in

honour of Pan or Aphrodite! You wouldn’t have been able to

move for all the tambourines.1 But as it is – not a woman

here! [CALONICE’s door opens and she comes out to join LYSISTRATA.] No, here’s my neighbour coming out, at any 5

rate. Good morning, Calonice.

CALONICE: Same to you, Lysistrata. What’s bothering you,

dear? Don’t screw up your face like that. Knitted brows really

don’t suit you.

LYSISTRATA: Sorry, Calonice, but I’m furious. I’m really dis- 10

appointed in womankind. All our husbands think we’re such clever villains –

CALONICE: Well, aren’t we?

LYSISTRATA: And now look-I’ve called a meeting to discuss a

very major matter, and they’re all still fast asleep! 15

CALONICE: Don’t worry, darling, they’ll come. It’s not so easy

for a wife to get out of the house, you know. They’ll all be

hanging round their husbands, waking up the servants, put-

ting the baby to sleep or washing and feeding it –

142 LYSISTRATA

20 LYSISTRATA: But dammit, there are more important things than

that!

CALONICE: Tell me, Lysistrata dear, what is this thing that

you’ve called us women together to talk about? Is it a big

thing?

LYSISTRATA: A very big thing.

CALONICE: Big and meaty,2 you mean?

LYSISTRATA: Very big and very meaty.

CALONICE: Then why on earth aren’t they here?

25 LYSISTRATA: That’s not what I meant – otherwise they certainly would have arrived promptly! No, it’s an idea that I’ve been thinking over and tossing about through many sleepless

nights.

CALONICE: Something pretty flimsy, then, surely, if it’s so easy

to toss about?

30 LYSISTRATA: Flimsy? Why, Calonice, we women have the sal-

vation of all Greece in our hands.

CALONICE: In our hands? Then Greece hasn’t much hope! LYSISTRATA: The whole future of the country3 rests with us.

Either the Peloponnesians are all going to be wiped out –

CALONICE: Good idea, by Zeus!

35 LYSISTRATA: – and the Boeotians totally destroyed –

CALONICE: Not all of them, please! Do spare the eels.4

LYSISTRATA: – and Athens – well, I won’t say it, but you know

what it is that I’m not saying. But if all the women join 40 together – not just us, but the Peloponnesians and Boeotians

as well - then united we can save Greece.

CALONICE: But how can women achieve anything so grand or

noble? What do we ever do but sit at home looking pretty,

45 wearing saffron gowns and make-up and Cimberic shifts and

giant slippers?5

LYSISTRATA: But don’t you see, that’s exactly what I mean to

use to save Greece - those saffron gowns and scents and giant

slippers and rouges and see-through shifts.

CALONICE: How are you going to do that?

LYSISTRATA: I am going to bring it about that no man, for at

50 least a generation, will raise a spear against another –

LYSISTRATA 143

CALONICE: I’m going to get a gown dyed saffron, by the Holy

Twain!6

LYSISTRATA: – nor take a shield in his hand –

CALONICE: I’ll put on a see-through right away!

LYSISTRATA: – or even an icky little sword.

CALONICE: I’m going to buy a pair of giant slippers!

LYSISTRATA: Now do you think the women ought to have been

here by now?

CALONICE: By Zeus, yes – they ought to have taken wing and 55

flown here!

LYSISTRATA: No such luck, old girl; they are Athenian, after

all, and can always be relied on to be late.7 We haven’t even

had anyone yet from the Paralia, or any of the Salaminians.8

CALONICE: Well, I’m sure they’ll have been riding over since 60

the early hours!

LYSISTRATA: And the ones I was most expecting and counting on

being here first – the Acharnians9 – they haven’t come either.

CALONICE: Well, I’m sure that Theogenes’ wife at least will

have been putting on all sail to get here.10 [Pointing offstage] But look, here come some of them now. 65

LYSISTRATA [looking in the opposite direction]: Yes, and here are some more.

[MYRRHINE and several other women arrive, some from the left, others from the right. CALONICE recoils from one

group as if from a loathsome smell.]

CALONICE: Uggh, where are this lot from?

LYSISTRATA: Stinking Trefoils.11

CALONICE: That’s why I thought I’d bumped into one!

MYRRHINE [who has taken a little time to get her breath back]: We’re not late, are we, Lysistrata? [There is no reply.] Well? 70

Why aren’t you saying anything?

LYSISTRATA: Myrrhine, I’m not best pleased with someone who

arrives this late when such an important matter is to be

discussed.

MYRRHINE: I’m sorry, I had trouble finding my waistband in

the dark. If it’s that important, don’t wait for the rest, tell us

about it now.

144 LYSISTRATA

75 LYSISTRATA: No, let’s wait just a moment. The Boeotian and

Peloponnesian women should be here any time now. MYRRHINE: You’re right. Ah, here comes Lampito!

[Enter LAMPITO, accompanied by ISMENIA the Theban and a CORINTHIAN WOMAN, and followed by several

other SPARTAN WOMEN. All their garments are slit at the

side.] LYSISTRATA: Welcome, Lampito, my beloved Spartan friend!

8o Sweetheart, how absolutely ravishing you look! Such beauti-

ful colour, such rippling muscles! Why, I bet you could

throttle a bull. LAMPITO: So I cuid, I’m thinking, by the Twa Gods.12 I’m in

training – practise heel-to-bum jumps regularly. [She takes a two-footed jump, touching both buttocks with her heels and

landing on her feet.] CALONICE 13 [feeling Lampito’s breasts]: A very nice pair you’ve

got here, too. LAMPITO [indignantly]: I’d thank ye not tae feel me over as if

ye were just aboot tae sacrifice me.14

85 LYSISTRATA [pointing to Ismenia]: Where does this other girl come from?

LAMPITO: By the Twa Gods, this is the Boeotian representative

that’s come tae ye.

MYRRHINE [looking inside her dress]: Yes, she represents

Boeotia very well, with those fine broad lowlands!

CALONICE [same business]: And with all the herbage so care-

fully plucked, too!

9o LYSISTRATA: And this other one?

LAMPITO: A lass of noble line, by the Twa Gods, a Corinthian.

CALONICE [pointing to the Corinthian’s well-padded belly and

buttocks]: She certainly has noble lines here and here! LAMPITO: Now who’s the convener of this women’s gathering?

LYSISTRATA: I am.

95 LAMPITO: Then tell us what ye seek of us.

MYRRHINE: Yes, dear, do tell us just what this important

business is.

LYSISTRATA: I will tell you. But before I do, I want to ask you

just one little question.

LYSISTRATA 145

MYRRHINE: By all means.

LYSISTRATA: The fathers of your children – don’t you miss

them when they’re away at the war? I know that not one of 100

you has a husband at home.15

CALONICE: Mine, my dear, has been away for five months, on

the Thracian Coast, keeping an eye on our general16 there.

MYRRHINE: And mine has been at Pylos for a full seven

months.17 LAMPITO: And as for my man, if he ever does turrn up at home, 105

straight awa’ he’s fitted his shield on his arm and flown off

agin.

CALONICE: Why, there isn’t even anyone now to have an affair with - not even the ghost of one. Since the Milesians betrayed

us, I haven’t even seen one of those six-inch leather jobs which

used to help us out when all else failed. 110

LYSISTRATA: Well then, if I found a way to do it, would you be prepared to join with me in putting a stop to the war?

CALONICE: By the Holy Twain, I would- even if I had to pawn

this cloak of mine and drink up18 the money before the end

of the day!

MYRRHINE: And so would I – even if l had to cut myself in two, 115 like a flatfish,19

and give half of myself for the cause!

LAMPITO: And I too, if l had to climb tae the top of Mount Tay-

getum,20 so I cuid see the prospect of peace from the summit.

LYSISTRATA: Then I will tell you my plan: there’s no point in

keeping it back. Women, if we want to force the men to make 120

peace, we must renounce – [She hesitates.]

MYRRHINE: Renounce what? Go on.

LYSISTRATA: Then you’ll do it?

MYRRHINE: At the cost of our lives, if need be. [All indicate

enthusiastic agreement.] LYSISTRATA: Very well then. We must renounce – sex. [Strong

murmurs of disapproval, gestures of dissent, etc. Several of the company seem on the point of leaving.] Why are you 125 turning away from me? Where are you going? What does all

this pursing of lips and tossing of heads mean? You’re all

going pale – I can see tears! Will you do it or won’t you?

Answer me!

146 LYSISTRATA

CALONICE: I won’t do it. Just let the war go on.

130 MYRRHINE: Nor will I. Just let the war go on. LYSISTRATA: Excuse me, Mrs. Flatfish, weren’t you offering to

Cut yourself in half a moment ago?

MYRRHINE: That, or walk through fire, or anything else you

135 want – but renounce sex, never! Lysistrata, darling, there’s

just nothing like it! LYSISTRATA [to Calonice]; How about you?

CALONICE: I’d rather walk through fire too!

LYSISTRATA: I didn’t realize that we women were such a total

lot of nymphos. The tragic poets are right about us after all:

140 shag, calve and dispose of, that’s the way we live.21 My

Spartan friend, will you join me? Even if it’s just the two of

us, we might yet succeed. LAMPITO: Weel, by the Twa Gods, it’s a sair thing for a woman

tae sleep alone withoot the Big Red One for company – but

still I’ll say aye, for we must have peace.

145 LYSISTRATA [embracing her]: Oh, Lampito darling, you’re the only real woman22 here!

MYRRHINE: But look, suppose we did renounce – what you said

– which may heaven forbid – but if we did, how would that

help to end the war?

LYSISTRATA: How? Well, just imagine. We’re at home, beauti-

150 fully made up, and we walk around the house wearing sheer

lawn shifts and nothing else; the men are all horny and can’t

wait to leap on us; and we keep our distance and refuse to

come to them - then they’ll make peace soon enough, you’ll

see.

155 LAMPITO: Didn’t Menelaus drop his sword, I’m thinking, when

he got but a wee glimpse of Helen’s twa wee apples?23 MYRRHINE: But look, what if they just ignore us?

LYSISTRATA: In the words of Pherecrates24 – you can always fall back on a dead dog.25

MYRRHINE: Those imitation things are sheer crap. Anyway,

160 what if they take us and drag us into the bedroom by force? LYSISTRATA: Cling to the door.

MYRRHINE: And if they beat us, what then?26

LYSISTRATA: Just make yourself frigid. There’s no pleasure in

LYSISTRATA 147

it if they have to use force. Make life a misery for them, and

they’ll give up trying soon enough. No man is ever going, 165 to get satisfaction if the woman doesn’t choose that he

should.

MYRRHINE: Well – if you both really think it’s a good idea –

then we agree. [The others indicate assent.]

LAMPITO: Guid, then we’ll see that our men mak peace and

keep it faithfully. But this Athenian riff-raff [indicating the 170 audience] -how will ye ever induce them tae see sense?

LYSISTRATA: We will, you’ll see.

LAMPITO: Not sae lang as their warrships have feet27 and they

have that bottomless fund o’ money in Athena’s temple.

LYSISTRATA: Oh, don’t think we haven’t thought about that! 175

We’re going to occupy the Acropolis today. While we take

care of our side of things, all the older women have been

instructed to seize the Acropolis under pretence of going to

make sacrifices. LAMPITO: A guid notion; it soonds as if it will worrk. 180

LYSISTRATA: Well then, Lampito, why don’t we well and truly

confirm the whole thing now by taking an oath?

LAMPITO: Pit the aith to us and we’ll sweir.

LYSISTRATA: Well spoken. [Calling into the house] Scythaena!

[A SLAVE-GIRL comes outside; she is carrying a large round

wine-bowl. She stares open-eyed about her.] What are you

staring at? Put that shield face down in front of us. [The 185 SLAVE-GIRL lays the bowl on the ground.] Now someone

give me the limbs of the sacrificial victim.28

MYRRHINE: Lysistrata, what sort of oath is this you’re giving

us to take?

LYSISTRATA: Why, the one that Aeschylus talks about some-

where29 -filling a shield with sheep’s blood.

MYRRHINE: But Lysistrata, you can’t take a peace oath over a 190

shield! LYSISTRATA: What do you suggest, then?

MYRRHINE: Suppose we got a white stallion30 and cut it up?

LYSISTRATA: White stallion indeed!

MYRRHINE: Well, how are we going to take the oath, then?

CALONICE: I’ve got an idea, if you like. Stand a large black cup 195

148 LYSISTRATA

on the ground, pour in the blood of some Thasos grapes, and

swear – to put no water in the cup.

LAMPITO: Och aye, that’s the kind of aith I like!

LYSISTRATA [to Scythaena]: A cup and a wine-jar from inside,

please.

[SCYTHAENA takes her bowl inside and returns with a

cup and jar, both of enormous size. The women crowd

around.]

200 MYRRHINE: My dears, isn’t it a whopper?

CALONICE [picking up the cup]: Cheers you up even to touch it!

LYSISTRATA: Put the cup down [CALONICE does so] and take

hold of the sacrificial victim.31 [She holds up the jar; all the women lay a hand on it.] O mighty Goddess of Persuasion,

and thou, O Lady of the Loving Cup, accept this sacrifice and

look with favour on womankind. [She pours wine from the jar into the cup.]

205 MYRRHINE: What lovely dark blood! And how well it flows!32

LAMPITO: And how sweet it smells forby, by Castor!

CALONICE [trying to push Myrrhine and Lampito aside]: Let

me take the oath first!

MYRRHINE: Not unless you draw the first lot, you don’t!

LYSISTRATA: Lampito and all of you, take hold of the cup. [All 210 do so.] One of you repeat the oath after me, and then at the

end everyone will confirm that they share in it. I will not allow

either lover or husband – MYRRHINE: I will not allow either lover or husband –

LYSISTRATA: – to approach me in a state of erection. [MYRRHINE hesitates.] Go on!

215 MYRRHINE: - to approach me in – a state of- erection – help, Lysistrata, my knees are giving way! [She nearly faints, but recovers herself.]

LYSISTRATA: And I will live at home in unsullied chastity – MYRRHINE: And I will live at home in unsullied chastity –

LYSISTRATA: – wearing my saffron gown and my sexiest

make-up –

220 MYRRHINE: – wearing my saffron gown and my sexiest

make-up –

LYSISTRATA 149

LYSISTRATA: – to inflame my husband’s ardour.

MYRRHINE: – to inflame my husband’s ardour.

LYSISTRATA: But I will never willingly yield myself to him.

MYRRHINE: But I will never willingly yield myself to him.

LYSISTRATA: And should he rape me by force against my will – 225

MYRRHINE: And should he rape me by force against my will –

LYSISTRATA: – I will submit passively and will not thrust back.

MYRRHINE: – I will submit passively and will not thrust back.

LYSISTRATA: I will not raise my slippers towards the ceiling.

MYRRHINE: I will not raise my slippers towards the ceiling. 230

LYSISTRATA: I will not adopt the lioness-on-a-cheesegrater

position.33

MYRRHINE: I will not adopt the lioness-on-a-cheesegrater

position.

LYSISTRATA: If I abide by this oath, may I drink from this cup.

MYRRHINE: If I abide by this oath, may I drink from this cup.

LYSISTRATA: But if l break it, may the cup be filled with water. 235

MYRRHINE: But if I break it, may the cup be filled with water.

LYSISTRATA [to the others]: Do you all join in swearing this

oath?

ALL: We do.

LYSISTRATA: Now the sacrifice must be wholly consumed.34

[She is about to drink from the cup.] CALONICE [interposing]: Not all of it, my friend – let’s share it,

as friends should.

[Before LYSISTRATA can drink from the cup and pass it

round, a shout of triumph is heard backstage.]

LAMPITO: What was that? 240

LYSISTRATA: What I said we were going to do. The Citadel of

Athena is now in the women’s hands.35 Well then, Lampito,

you’d better go and see to your side of the business at home,

but your friends will have to stay here with us as hostages.

[LAMPITO departs; ISMENIA, the CORINTHIAN and the other

SPARTAN WOMEN remain.] Now we’ll go up on to the Acro- 245

polis, join the others, and make sure the doors are barred.

MYRRHINE: Won’t the men be coming soon to try and take the

place back?

LYSISTRATA: Let them; they won’t bother me. They can threaten

150 LYSISTRATA

250 what they like – even try to set fire to the place – they won’t

make us open the gates except on our own terms. MYRRHINE: No, by Aphrodite, they won’t. We must show that

it’s not for nothing that people say ‘Damn and blast, but

there’s no getting the better of a woman!’

[All the WOMEN retire into the Acropolis, and the doors

are closed. After a short interval there appear, from the wings, the CHORUS OF OLD MEN. They are advancing

slowly and with difficulty, each carrying two olive-wood logs, a vine-torch and a pot containing live coals.]