Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae 910 and Lysistrata 156

What is it about?

In Th. 910 the fake Helen recognizes her fake husband Menelaus' bushy pubic hair metaphorically described as 'tufts of lavender'. In Lys. 156 scholars have missed the real point of Lampito's comment. She plays on the ambiguity of ksiphos 'sword' (and 'penis') and the verb ekballō 'throw away’ and ‘draw out’. At the sight of Helen’s ‘apples’, Menelaus layed down his sword, but, at the same type, he unsheathed his ‘sword’ , i.e. he suffered an erection. Women’s charms should be capable of quieting down hostilities by firing up men’s lust.

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