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Eastern Michigan University

A phallic play: Examining 5<sup>th</sup> century cultural references to illuminate aristophanes' appeal for peace to a modern audience

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Aristophanes’ <em>Lysistrata</em> is a popular work for contemporary production. Written in 411 BCE, the work explores what happens when the females of Athens participate in a sex strike in order to coerce the males to end the Peloponnesian War. By exploring cultural references to symbols in <em>Lysistrata</em>, mainly the phallus, this article seeks to convey the vehemence with which Aristophanes was advocating for an end of the Peloponnesian war and to demonstrate to theatre practitioners that <em>Lysistrata</em> is unique in its rhetoric about war and its destructive force on society. By understanding these significant cultural references, a modern director can help an audience better understand the specific themes of the work.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (MA)
Level thesis:degree_level
Open Access Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Communication, Media and Theatre Arts
Year dc:date.available
2014

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Pettit, Gary Sean
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Lee Stille, Ph.D.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/583
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1959

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Eastern Michigan University
Base URL
commons.emich.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Pettit, Gary Sean. A phallic play: Examining 5<sup>th</sup> century cultural references to illuminate aristophanes' appeal for peace to a modern audience. Open Access Thesis thesis, 2014. https://commons.emich.edu/theses/583