Foil

Character Role Analysis

Calonice, Lysistrata; Myrrhine, Lysistrata

Just as there are two Antagonists in this play, we think there are two Foils as well: Calonice and Myrrhine. The point of a Foil is to contrast with another character, in order to make both characters stand out more clearly. We'd say that Calonice and Myrrhine are both Foils of Lysistrata, and also of each other.

In the beginning of the play, Calonice contrasts with Lysistrata because she's equally enthusiastic about bringing the war to an end, but seems much more hesitant about accepting the sex-strike.

Similarly, Myrrhine contrasts with Lysistrata because she is much more naïve than Lysistrata is. That being said, when Myrrhine comes into her own in her big scene where she teases her husband Cinesias, she becomes much closer in personality to Lysistrata.

Both of the women come around to Lysistrata's viewpoint. It just takes a little time before they're quite as kick-butt as our gal Ly.