Final answer:
Aristophanes' 'Lysistrata' features a satirical and comedic tone and a mood of amusement, using humor to criticize the war and the social position of women. The play's outlandish plot and ribald jokes exemplify Old Comedy, delivering a serious message through laughter and farce.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tone of Lysistrata by Aristophanes can be described as satirical and comedic. The play uses humor to address serious issues such as the role of women in society and the absurdity of war. Through witty dialogue and humorous situations, the tone conveys a message of social and political criticism, echoing the playwright's conservative yet critical views on the state of Athens during the Peloponnesian War. The mood generated by the play is one of amusement and merriment, as the audience is entertained by the outlandish plot of women withholding sex to end a war, filled with ribald jokes and farcical scenarios.
In terms of identifying specific passages for tone, one could cite the wily schemes of the women or the desperate reactions of the men as evidence of the play's satirical edge. Similarly, the collective decision by the women of Athens and Sparta and the quick capitulation of men display the comedic underpinnings designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Aristophanes showcases a remarkably progressive view of women's importance in society, challenging the typical Greek attitude of the time through the empowered female characters.
Lysistrata is an exemplar of Old Comedy, characterized by its burlesque humor, extravagant farce, and sharp social and political commentary, all presented in a style that would have been both visually and audibly entertaining, with actors wearing masks and singing parts of the dialogue.