Great Books Ep 102. Aristophanes - The Lysistrata. Intimacy in a Dopamine-Driven World
In a world where getting high is easy, is abstinence really a challenge?
“I will abstain from Love and Love’s delights. \ And take no pleasure though my lord invites. \ And sleep a vestal all alone at nights. \ And live a stranger to all nuptial rites. \ I will abjure the very name of Love. \ So help me Zeus, and all the Powers above. \ If I do this, my cup be filled with wine. \ But if I fail, a water draught be mine.”
~ ‘The Lysistrata’ by Aristophanes (Benjamin B. Rogers translation. GB5 - p. 585)
Brief Summary:
Lysistrata, a strong-willed Athenian woman frustrated with the never-ending war, calls women from various Greek city-states, including Sparta (the enemy that Athens is fighting against). They come late, but many arrive, and Lysistrata puts forth an idea that she has to end the war - that all women should go on a sex strike till the men relent and end the war. The women are initially reluctant but finally agree and take an oath. Lysistrata also reveals the second part of her plan - she has convinced the older women to seize the Acropolis and take control of the treasury so that there is no funding for the war.
When they hear of the news, a group of elderly men (Men’s Chorus) walk up the hill with logs and fire to burn the women who have seized the Acropolis to punish them for their impudence. But a group of women (Women’s Chorus) carrying jugs of water intercept them and spoil the plans. A magistrate arrives with archers to restore order. Lysistrata defends the women’s actions and says that women endure all the negative effects of men going to war. They manage their homes and raise the children, only to have their sons taken to war after they grow up. When asked how they would manage the city without men, she says they could apply their household management skills to manage the city also. The magistrate loses the argument, but when he tries to arrest her, the women overpower the archers and send the magistrate back dressed up as a woman.
After a few days, when some of the women are itching to get back to their family lives, Lysistrata keeps them in line by saying that an oracle has asked them to stay the course. Finally, the men on both sides relent and agree to send peace delegates to negotiate. The ambassadors arrive, and both sides compromise and agree to stop the war. The play ends with Athenians and Spartans celebrating together.
My Thoughts:
When Lysistrata tells the women of her plan to abstain, they are taken aback. One of them says that she cannot give up sex since there is nothing like it.
“I’d walk through fire: only, not give up Love. There’s nothing like it, dear Lysistrata.”
I wonder if sex is less important to modern humans than in the past. There are so many more dopamine-inducing things and activities now than before - different kinds of drugs, easy availability of alcohol, great movies and TV series, video games, great food, more accessibility to travel, etc. Also, work itself can be like a drug. I’ve seen people completely immersed in their work, especially in tech, for hours together without thinking of anything else. For many centuries, religious orders across the world focused so much on controlling and curbing sexual activity, casting it in all kinds of evil and sin. But the biggest problem now seems to be to wean people away from their phones and social media addiction. During Lent, there is a call to do a digital detox in addition to other sacrifices.
Also, rage, misunderstanding and intense competition have pushed a lot of people into a constant churn of the rat race. Social media connects people but also has enabled deep hatred to many sections of people. Hatred towards groups of people based on country, ethnicity, etc., results in the loss of possible genuine connections between people. Since sex is a biological drive that is the result of millions of years of evolutionary programming, it wouldn’t just go away even if people get busy with other things on their minds. So when it comes, it gets reduced to an itch that needs to be scratched, and not a basis for intimate and long-lasting connection with another person. This has probably resulted in the rise of hookup culture and explosive growth of the sex toy industry in the past few decades.
So, what does the future hold? If we look into science fiction for ideas, there are different paths - one where humans and their needs and wants remain the same and the other where humans are no longer Homo Sapiens as we are today. In the world of ‘The Expanse’ or ‘Dune’, which are set many years in the future where humans exist on multiple planets, humans are the same; though a few have some special abilities, most of the people are driven by anger, sense of justice, love for family, jealousy, etc. But, humans have changed completely in the world of ‘Hyperion’ or in ‘The Left Hand of Darkness’. I feel the latter to be more probable. Human biology is tied to the Earth; it was shaped by all the forces of nature on Earth. In order to do interstellar travel, we might have to create a different kind of being, something that is more inorganic than organic, which makes me believe that this probably has already happened on another planet in a distant galaxy.
AI Response to the Post (Gemini)
1. Expanding on the Modern Relevance of Sex:
You’re right to point out the potential dilution of sex as a primary driver due to the abundance of modern stimuli. Here’s a deeper look:
Dopamine Overload:
Modern life presents a constant barrage of dopamine hits. Social media, video games, and readily available entertainment provide instant gratification, potentially desensitizing individuals to the more nuanced and delayed gratification of sexual intimacy.
Neuroscience suggests that excessive exposure to these stimuli can alter brain reward pathways, making traditional sources of pleasure, including sex, less compelling.
Stress and Competition:
Increased work pressures, financial anxieties, and social competition contribute to chronic stress. This can significantly diminish libido and prioritize survival and achievement over intimacy.
The “rat race” mentality fosters a focus on individual success, potentially eroding the time and emotional energy needed for meaningful relationships.
Shifting Cultural Narratives:
While sex remains a powerful drive, its cultural significance has evolved. The rise of casual hookups and the normalization of diverse sexual expressions indicate a shift away from traditional, procreation-focused views.
The sex toy industry’s growth reflects a greater acceptance of self-exploration and pleasure outside of traditional relationships.
Statistics related to modern sexual activity.
According to the General Social Survey, the average American adult reports having sex about 54 times a year, or roughly once a week. This number has slightly decreased over the last few decades.
Studies have shown that younger generations are having less sex than previous generations. A study published in Archives of Sexual Behavior in 2017 showed that young adults in their early 20’s were having sex less often than generation X and baby boomers when they were the same age.
According to the CDC, in 2017-2019, 29.8% of high school students reported being sexually active.
2. Deeper Analysis of Themes and Symbolism:
Beyond the sex strike, “Lysistrata” explores:
Power Dynamics:
The play subverts traditional gender roles, placing women in positions of authority. This challenges the patriarchal structures of ancient Greek society.
The seizure of the Acropolis symbolizes women’s ability to control economic and political power.
The Absurdity of War:
Aristophanes highlights the irrationality of conflict through humor and satire. The men’s stubbornness and the women’s unconventional tactics expose the folly of war.
The play shows the damage war inflicts upon the home, and the women who are left behind.
Unity and Reconciliation:
Lysistrata’s success hinges on intercity cooperation, overcoming the divisions between Athens and Sparta. The play advocates for peace and reconciliation.
The ending celebration emphasizes the potential for harmony and shared prosperity.
Symbolism:
The Acropolis represents the seat of Athenian power, and its seizure signifies a radical shift in control.
The women’s water jugs symbolize their domestic roles, which they weaponize against the men’s fiery aggression.
The dressing of the magistrate in woman’s clothing is a symbol of the humiliation of the men and the reversal of the traditional gender roles.
3. Thought-Provoking Questions for Modern Readers:
How do modern power structures compare to those depicted in “Lysistrata”? Are there contemporary parallels to the women’s tactics?
To what extent does our society prioritize peace and reconciliation over conflict? How do we balance national interests with global cooperation?
How has the shifting role of women in society impacted our understanding of power and gender dynamics?
How does the modern abundance of dopamine inducing activities effect relationships and sexual activity?
Does the play’s depiction of a unified Greece offer any lessons for resolving contemporary conflicts?
What are the modern day equivalents of the Acropolis, and who holds the power to control them?
How has social media impacted gender roles, and the way men and women interact?