Question

Is The Assemblywomen (Ecclesiazusae) by Aristophanes a proto-feminist play arguing on behalf of women's competence and intelligence and men's stupidity and vices? Or are there underlying misogynistic, sexist assumptions on Aristophanes part?

Answer 1

I always thought it was a parody on economics and government: men had made both awful, could it be worse? And of course, the excess of democracy (sharing women equally) was certainly a critique of Athean democracy by Asritophanes. It is hard to decipher "misogynistic, sexist assumptions" of Aristophanes, as in those times, women had no property, no vote, and no education. Most were married by 16 so they could get their advanced training on how to be a good woman from their husband and master.

Answer 2

Bobpursley is right. Aristophanes didn't write plays to tell exactly what was happening in society, like a photograph, if you will. He wrote political satire. His <i>Lysistrata</i> is another in which he uses women to satirize Greek society of the day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristophanes
This is a good summary of his life and works. Be sure to check out the See Also and External Links at the bottom of the webpage.

=)

Answer 3

it is a proto-feminist play