Lysistrata
Aigerim Giniyatova
Dr. Reynolds
Introduction to Drama
23 October 2014
Kinesias
In Lysistrata, Aristophanes makes fun of women, but he also makes fun of his own sex: men. Kinesias, Myrrhine`s husband, is one of many targets of the women's sex strike. In the scene between Myrrhine and her husband, Kinesias is fooled and tricked by his wife (Episode, p.199-203). As how many of the women of Greece embody the idealized or stereotypical female, as so Kinesias represents the stereotypical, dimwitted male figure in this play. In Lysistrata, Kinesias proves himself as a foolish, poor father and woman-hater, I think. Kinesias only seeks out his wife because he has a painful erection. And also he is not able to take care of his own children. In that part of the scene where he talks to his wife he says: “Don`t you feel sorry for the baby, unwashed and unsuckled for six days now?” (lines 58-59), by that he makes her to come out for “him”. So, he is even using the little kid, in order to get what he needs. But he gets outwitted by his playful wife anyways; humor that was used here by the author, for both husband and wife, was really on point. However, the part when he shouts out: “It`s not a blanket I want – I want to fuck!” (line 122), made me feel uncomfortable: so straight forward. After, when he can`t get what he wants, he prays to Zeus saying: “…let her fall back down to earth again, and let her point of impact be this dick of mine right here” (lines 171-174). It is funny, but also really sad; all he wants is just to have sex with her. Kinesias's character confirms that Aristophanes meant Lysistrata to be a play mocking the sexual desires and attributes of both sexes.
Dr. Reynolds
Introduction to Drama
23 October 2014
Kinesias
In Lysistrata, Aristophanes makes fun of women, but he also makes fun of his own sex: men. Kinesias, Myrrhine`s husband, is one of many targets of the women's sex strike. In the scene between Myrrhine and her husband, Kinesias is fooled and tricked by his wife (Episode, p.199-203). As how many of the women of Greece embody the idealized or stereotypical female, as so Kinesias represents the stereotypical, dimwitted male figure in this play. In Lysistrata, Kinesias proves himself as a foolish, poor father and woman-hater, I think. Kinesias only seeks out his wife because he has a painful erection. And also he is not able to take care of his own children. In that part of the scene where he talks to his wife he says: “Don`t you feel sorry for the baby, unwashed and unsuckled for six days now?” (lines 58-59), by that he makes her to come out for “him”. So, he is even using the little kid, in order to get what he needs. But he gets outwitted by his playful wife anyways; humor that was used here by the author, for both husband and wife, was really on point. However, the part when he shouts out: “It`s not a blanket I want – I want to fuck!” (line 122), made me feel uncomfortable: so straight forward. After, when he can`t get what he wants, he prays to Zeus saying: “…let her fall back down to earth again, and let her point of impact be this dick of mine right here” (lines 171-174). It is funny, but also really sad; all he wants is just to have sex with her. Kinesias's character confirms that Aristophanes meant Lysistrata to be a play mocking the sexual desires and attributes of both sexes.