Review
—Philip Holt, The Classical Outlook
Book Description
From the Back Cover
Henderson’s English translation of Lysistrata, the most popular of Aristophanes' plays, appeals to the modern reader because of its lively and imaginative plot, strong and memorable heroine, good jokes, and appeal for peace and tolerance between nations and between the sexes. Jeffrey Henderson, noted Greek scholar, puts the work in historical and cultural context in his comprehensive introduction. Suggestions for further reading, notes, and map are also included. This Focus Classical Library translation of Lysistrata has been staged numerous times.
"Henderson’s Lysistrata is lively, cheerfully vulgar, and genuinely funny . . ."
— Philip Holt, The Classical Outlook
The Focus Classical Library is dedicated to providing modern students with the best of Classical literature in contemporary translations with notes and introductions to provide access to the culture and context at the roots of contemporary thought.
Dr. Jeffrey Henderson is the William Goodwin Aurelio Professor of Greek at Boston University. He is the author of groundbreaking translations and articles on Greek comic dramatists. His other translations for Focus Classical Library include Aristophanes: Frogs (2008), Aristophanes: Acharnians 2e (1992), Aristophanes:Clouds (1993), Aristophanes: Three Comedies: Acharnians, Lysistrata, Clouds (1997), and Aristophanes: Birds (1999).
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
CHARACTERS
SPEAKING CHARACTERS
Lysistrata, an Athenian woman Rod, Myrrhine’s husband
Calonice, an Athenian wife Spartan Herald
Myrrhine, an Athenian wife Spartan Ambassador
Lampito, a Spartan woman Athenian Ambassador
Magistrate, an Athenian bureaucrat Athenian, friend of the
Old Women, three helpers of Lysistrata Ambassador
MUTE CHARACTERS
Athenian Wives Nurse with Rod
Foreign Wives Baby with Rod
Policewoman with Wives Reconciliation, a naked girl
Slaves with Magistrate Spartan Husbands
Police with Magistrate Athenian Husbands
Athenian Old Women Doorkeeper
CHORUS
Old War-Veterans, twelve Old Wives, twelve
SCENE I
Lysistrata
If I’d invited them to drink some wine
or talk about the kids or go out dancing,
you’d hear the sound of high heels everywhere.
But now there’s not a single wife in sight.
Well, here’s my next-door neighbor, anyway. 5
Hi, Calonice.º
Calonice
Hi to you, Lysistrata.
Hey, why the dirty looks? Cheer up, kiddo.
Don’t frown, you’ll wrinkle up your pretty face.
Lysistrata
I’m angry, Calonice, deeply hurt,
in fact offended by the wives, by us, 10
because, according to our husbands we’re
the best at clever schemes—
Calonice
And that’s the truth.
Lysistrata
—but when I tell them all to meet me here,
to scheme about the most important things,
they’re sleeping in and don’t show up.
Calonice
They’ll show. 15
It’s not so easy getting out this early.
We’ve got to do our husbands little favors,
we’ve got to get the servants out of bed,
we’ve got to wash and feed and burp the kids.
Lysistrata
But they’ve got more important things to do 20
than those!
Calonice
OK, Lysistrata, suppose
you tell me why we’re meeting here. The deal.
Is it a big one?
Lysistrata
Very big.
Calonice
Not hard as well?
Lysistrata
It’s very hard.
