Literary Analysis Essay on 'Cat Person' and 'Lysistrata'

Introduction

'Cat Person' and 'Lysistrata' are renowned pieces of literature with the latter being an ancient play written by Aristophanes in 411 BC and the former being a contemporary short story by Kristen Roupenian published in the year 2017. Despite the notable difference in authoring dates, the two works share themes and topics that are relevant to the modern audience. These topics and themes mostly conform to feminism with the authors' intent to empower women in society through the realization of how the community belittles the female sex. This is a comparison of similarities in the two works of literature.

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Upon review of the two texts, one realizes the profound references to sexual encounters. There are often intense descriptions of characters engaging in intercourse such as the build-up to Margot and Robert's encounter in 'Cat Person' (Roupenian). There are also such scenes in the play 'Lysistrata' for instance where the Spartan Herald is described to be having an erection before Cinesias due to the sex boycott instituted by women (Theodoridis 970). Sex is a factor that seems to drive the two societies depicted in the two works. It is used in 'Lysistrata' to end the oppressing wars of the Greeks and in 'Cat Person' to reclaim the feminine voice in relationships.

Men are seen to belittle women in both pieces of literature. For instance, in the opening scene of 'Lysistrata,' Caloniki laments about how women are objectified as just instruments of pleasure to sit around looking pretty just to wait for their men to come home to sleep with them. The magistrate also shares similar belittling to Lysistrata who is unwelcoming to his sentiments. The Cat Person also shares such downgrading of women evident in some of Robert's statements to Margot during their encounter. Robert is seen to refer to Margot in the end as 'whore' which is an insult to Margot. Earlier in the story, he is seen to acclaim that he has always wanted to have a beautiful woman as Margot in bed (Roupenian). This implies that Margot takes Margot as one of his bed trophies.

The two works are effective in raising concern in society as to how men disregard women as their superiors. This is done with a later triumph of women in various situations. Sex is the major weapon used by women as this seems like something that men adore (Theodoridis 1156). Lysistrata and Margot deny men sex to establish their superiority and attain what they want from them. Lysistrata is able to stop the wars and Margot is able to free herself from a loveless relationship.

Works Cited

Roupenian, Kristen. ""Cat Person"". The New Yorker, 2017, https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/11/cat-person/amp.

Theodoridis, George. "Aristophanes (C.446-C.386 BC) - Lysistrata: Translated By George Theodoridis". Poetryintranslation.Com, 2000, 1-1280. https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Lysistrata.php.