Exploration notes: Plots and Sub-Plots of "Lysistrata".

Simply stated, the plot of "Lysistrata" depicts Athenian women who are fed up with the Peloponnesian War, so they barricade themselves in the Akropolis. They orchestrate a sex strike in order to force their husbands to vote for peace with Sparta. The play's action occurs on a street in Athens in front of a gate to the Akropolis, which looms in the background. As the play begins, Lysistrata, an Athenian woman, is pacing back and …

…men eagerly exit to prepare for the feast while the united choruses address the audience about their new-found appreciation for their neighbors. The drunk and happy men come out of the Akropolis, led by a flutist, celebrating their new peaceful behavior. Lysistrata matches the women with each of their men and charges all to dance and sing to the gods in thanks for this happy ending. They all do so, and exit singing and dancing.