In his play Lysistrata, Aristophanes uses typical old comedy to poke fun at war, male chauvinism and the symbolism of sex to get his point across. We feel that it was necessary for him to have the female characters withhold sex in this play in order to get the men to listen for a few reasons. First is the fact that for over twenty years, the men had been at war against fellow Greek nations and were seldom at home, thereby, leaving their women alone to fend for themselves for practically everything, and to take care of the household and the children. Next, the chauvinistic attitude of the men during that time, (411 B.C), was that women should basically be seen and not heard. So, the women were not allowed to have a voice in most affairs. Third, women were never looked on as being important within the scheme of things, in particular, politics as well as war. Aristophanes' Lysitrata shows the folly of war, chauvinism, and sex by making its supporters look foolish through sexual humor and comedy. Because of the make up of this particular play, it is seen as having impact throughout all generations. Aristophanes teaches a great lesson about gender and equality during his time.
             Lysistrata makes it clear that during this particular time, war was the central business of the nation of Greece, and that the continual fighting was keeping the men away from their wives, girlfriends and significant others. In the prologue, she makes her point abundantly clear when she states to Myrrhine,
             "It's your husbands. Fathers of your children. Doesn't it bother you that they they're always off with the Army? I'll stake my life, not one of you has a man in the house this minute!" (pg 110, lines 79-83). Lysistrata 110.
             The ladies agree and began to provide examples of the time that has elapsed since they have been without their men. Most notably, Kalonike who states her man has been away for f...