Portrayal of comedy in Lysistrata

While comedy is not a theme within the plot of the play itself, it is an important part of how audiences have understood Aristophanes' satire since it was first written. Aristophanes created a broad and exceedingly ridiculous comedic play in order to deal with the themes of war, patriarchy, and the structure of Athenian politics. By writing a fizzy, raunchy, and outrageous sex comedy, Aristophanes infuses these themes with a levity that makes them even more digestible and pleasurable. One cannot help but notice his political aims by the end of the play, his endorsement of pacifism and peace, but these political points come with the light touch of satire and comedy, rather than in didactic arguments or long-winded narrative. Thus, comedy is an important theme in Lysistrata—the very framework and philosophy through which the plot and the substance of the satire can come to life.