Lido pela trad. Stephan Halliwell

Nou ja, tenminste heeft het λοπαδο­τεμαχο­σελαχο­γαλεο­κρανιο­λειψανο­δριμ­υπο­τριμματο­σιλφιο­καραβο­μελιτο­κατακεχυ­μενο­κιχλ­επι­κοσσυφο­φαττο­περιστερ­αλεκτρυον­οπτο­κεφαλλιο­κιγκλο­πελειο­λαγῳο­σιραιο­βαφη­τραγανο­πτερύγων

(3.5)
Translator: Jeffrey Henderson

A parliament of women vote themselves in control of Athens in order to de-politicize the polis, the political order. In the attempt to change society from "one that takes" (the system instituted by men, by patriarchy) into "one that gives" (led by women via matriarchy), the assembly of women institute communism based on absolute equality, including equality of property, of the generations, and even of sex (whereby any young men must by law service an old hag before he can love his young lover). Full of double entendres and bathroom humor in addition to the inside jokes that Aristophanes used to skewer his fellow citizens and leading Athenians. But the biggest and longest-running joke is the sheer ludicrous nature of absolute equality in any society that hopes to function effectively or even to survive. Note that, for the women to institute their egalitarian regime, they must first act (and look) like men.

3.25 stars

Read for class

My rating may change after discussion.

I thought this was hilarious! A bit sexist, but that was to make a point about the sexism women experienced by men in Ancient Athens.

Un libro corto bastante entretenido y divertido.
Me ha parecido sobre todo original. Es, una especie de planteamiento político como una utopía y la manera en la que esta se acaba desarrollando.
Bastante caótica pero divertida.

“As feias e mal acabadas ficarão ao lado das mais bonitas, e quem quiser as bonitonas terá que satisfazer primeiro as feiosas”

This play is hilarious. I read this for class and it is Hilarious in every way. As my teacher puts it: "Fart jokes are the best jokes ever. Who doesn't love them?"

Not only is it funny (with very crass humour, but it's amusing. I mean, the husband tries to take such a powerful shit that it is akin to giving birth.) But we also juxtaposed it with Antigone as well as the Athenian Constitution. We discussed the dynamic of polis vs oikos and how there is a convergence of the two in this play (contrasting Antigone which has very strong opposition between the two).

We also discussed the historical context and how this play could represent an oligarchical revolution, akin to the democratic revolution following the thirty tyrants. Praxagora takes over the government (not by force but elected) and creates a communist society that is meant to solve the issue of self-interest being put over civic duty. Like people not going to Aseembly unless paid.  However, it just creates a new self-interest motivator: sex. So it doesn't quite solve the problem, it just changes the result.

Insightful and hilarious to read. The sexual innuendo are actually quite funny and I know I have said this a million times, but it is a very funny play. I had a superb time reading and laughed a lot.

Livro facilmente confundido com a obra mais famosa de Aristófanes que é Lisistrata, por tem contexto parecidos.
A historia é um comédia curta e engraça que trata da tomada da tomada do poder pelas mulheres usando da sua astucia, e outros estereótipos não tão positivos do sexo feminino, contra os homens retratados como preguiçosos e pouco atenciosos.
Uma lição que se tirar, e que por traz de toda a tentativa igualitária coletiva, mora um interesse particular do líder.

A respeito da tradução, talvez a pior que eu tenha visto, com a tentativa de "adaptar" a historia para a linguagem actual, o tradutor mantém o humor original da historia, mas ele esta a criar um novo livro não traduzi-lo.

Exemplo das traduções:
"Lá vem a Esquerdina e a Reformilde!"

"1a. Mulher: Veja que barba linda!
2a. Mulher: E a minha? Parece a do Lula."

"É a minha opinião, por Nossa Senhora do Parto!"

"Virgem Maria! Vai falar bem assim na Bahia!"

Strange short little play.

A bunch of Athenian women crossdress as men, show up to the Assembly, and convince the male citizens to hand over control over all of Athens to the women. Chaos ensues.

Aristophanes' Assemblywomen seems like a spoof on Plato's Republic, though it was written prior chronologically (in 391 BCE). Many radical policies are proposed and enacted — the abolishment of private property, communal living, sexual communism (citizens can sleep with whoever they want), and equal distribution of goods.

The twist? The new laws are interpreted in the most extreme (and satirical) way possible. Men are required to sleep with the oldest, ugliest women before they can sleep with young, beautiful women for "equality's sake" (?). Children will not know who their father is, so everyone will be father of everyone, thereby removing the possibility of violence (?). If everyone has an equal share in the land and food, there will be "no need" for thievery or greed (?).

I've recently read a long string of lengthy (and rather dry) ancient texts, so it was a pleasant surprise to read a breezy, unserious, and mildly amusing piece. Man, these ancient dudes sure had a dirty sense of humor. Some things don't change.

I have no idea whether this play is pure satire, social commentary, or a veiled critique of the impossibility of a utopian regime. I also can't tell if its sexist or feminist haha...

On one hand, it paints the Greek women as emboldened, strategic, and powerful. Their husbands literally shit themselves without the help of their wives. Through the hypothetical radical upheaval of society, Aristophanes questions the (unjustified?) gender inequality in present Athenian society.

On the other hand, the play is also like... look at all these silly women trying to create a government... "communalism" and "equality" before the law leads to a preposterous disaster! The new government is painted as a foolish thought experiment that ends up with old hags forcing young men into their beds. Honestly, it seems like a strong case for why women perhaps shouldn't rule.

If someone ever ends up reading this (they won't), let me know your thoughts. (3.44/5 stars.)

Another poor play by Aristophanes. This time, the play deals with women taking control of the Athenian Assembly and enforcing that men and women can have sex, but only after offering their services to the old and unattractive.

The play unfolds in crude sexual language, and Aristophanes' terrible sense of humor is often evident. It lacks the strong critiques of politics and wars found in the author's other works.

Estimated reading time: 1h30m

This play is like a combination of Birds and Lysistrata. It wasn’t my favorite but I can’t stop thinking about it. The communal way of living the women introduce, the femcel sexual hierarchy they establish, and the fact that ultimately the old men of Athens are still getting the better part of the deal are all part of a really interesting play.