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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Lysistrata explains that the women must make themselves as _____________ as they can.

2. The Female Leader suggests the men have wasted the ___________ invested in peace by their grandfathers.

3. The Commissioner talks about making a deal that will outfit the Athenian __________ with wood to make repairs.

4. Who is told to go to Sparta to spread the word about the plan of Lysistrata?

5. Lysistrata explains that her plan is to have the women abstain from ____________ in order to end the war.

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens as the Men and the Women go head to head in the battle?

2. What do Kleonike and some of the others complain about as they are waiting in the Temple?

3. What is the story the Female Chorus tells in rebuttal of the men's story about the hunter?

4. What happens when the Male Leader talks about the injuries that have been done to them?

5. What is Kinesias wearing when he enters the Temple in order to talk to Myrrhine?

6. What does the Female Leader suggest now that peace is at hand, which the Male Leader initially refuses?

7. What does Kinesias say about the condition of the baby that the slave is carrying?

8. Why does Kinesias think that Myrrhine should be ashamed of herself?

9. What does the Commissioner tell the Messenger to do in response to the news he hears?

10. Why is Lysistrata pacing at the start of the play during the opening scene?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While the subject matter might seem a bit dark and serious at times, it seems that this play is considered a comedy.

Part 1: Why do you think this play is actually considered to be a comedy?

Part 2: Do you think the comedic parts support or diminish the themes of this play? Why?

Part 3: Would you consider this play to be a comedy? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of different points at which Aristophanes uses symbolism in his play.

Part 1: What do you think the symbolism of the men carrying wood and fire is? Why?

Part 2: What do you think the symbolism of the women carrying water in pitchers is? Why?

Part 3: How might the scene in which the women douse the men with water be interpreted on a symbolic level? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Many people don't realize that Lysistrata and Myrrhine may actually refer to real women in the history of Greece.

Part 1: Why do you think Aristophanes decided to have potentially real characters used in his play?

Part 2: Does the addition of real people to the play strengthen the play or weaken it? Why?

Part 3: How do you think the addition of real people show the affects of the play's actions on society of the time?

(see the answer keys)

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