Lysistrata - Brawn vs. Brains

The classic showdown between brute force and intelligence. These theme is common to Lysistrata, with either side of the "abstaining from sex" and "pro-war" battle represented by either brawn or brains; the men represent the brawn and women the brains. This theme is supported right from the start of the play with Lysistrata's genius plan to end the war, suggesting the women's "brains." In order to combat the women's attempt to end the war, the men approach the femal stronghold, the Acropolis, with fire and smoke; the plan is to smoke out the women and place them under arrest... for taking the Acropolis and not having sex with them (haha). These "strong" men with fire are easily beaten down by the female forces, who all intelligently brought water to the fire-fight. The ease of their victory is recognized by the way they fought fire with water, rather than fighting fire with fire (the current situation the men are going through with the civil war, they're fighting fire with fire on the front). The brains obviously win this battle, although the unity of both strength and intelligence is un-rivaled in battle.