Lysistrata, Part 1 Summary

(p. 141 - 150) In the courtyard of Lysistrata's home, Lysistrata waits impatiently for the women of Greece to arrive for an important gathering. Her flighty neighbor Calonice assures her that all the women she's summoned will be there, but wonders what the meeting is for. After some crude banter (see "Quotes," p. 142), Lysistrata says she has realized the only way that all of Greece can achieve peace and unity is if the women take charge. Women, she says, have to make themselves so attractive but so frustratingly unattainable that men will never want to go to war ever again.

Shortly afterwards, other women (including Myrrhine) arrive for the meeting, followed by delegations from other Greek city/states, including the Spartan delegation led by tough talking, physically imposing Lampito, who demands why Lysistrata has called them together. Lysistrata tells the women to think...