In Sophocles’ Antigone play which was written 2500 years ago the role of women is a really striking feature.It is one of the first impressive play which illustrates the different roles of women play in society.As it is noticed there are some characters in Antigone’s play portray that women should be strong and sensible in society. While others’ views of women are very much grounded in the society.They put the woman down and undermine her ability as well as they reveal that women have a narrow role in life. So, these themes are still discussed in our modern society which is amazing that things are not changed much in terms of the role of women of five hundred years ago and today. In the following paper, I am going to analyse the role of women in Sophocles’ Antigone play and show how the characters see the role of women and compare it to Creon’s view about the role of women too. …show more content…
It is obvious that the two sisters Antigone and Ismene depict the major female characteristics.Although Antigone plays the role of a strong and headstrong independent woman in society, her sister Ismene represents the role of a weak and powerless woman in society.As well Creon's view of women is typical in considering women as they should only play a subordinate role in the family and society.Since he thinks them are less intelligent than men, attracted by emotion, and unable to make an independent and right judgment.Antigone and Ismene are contrasting characters.Antigone believes with all her soul that she is powerful and capable of deciding how to act based on the situation that is presented in her society.She is adamant that she should be free to disobey a command given by a man if she feels the command or the order is unjust and doesn't respect the human’s rights and that can be emphasised strongly by her quote when she
Sophocles play “Antigone” introduces a lot of debatable topics such as Human law vs Divine laws, pride, but most importantly the topic of woman’s movement for empowerment. Long before 442 B.C.E, women were belittled because of their gender however, after the birth of “Antigone” it demonstrated a strong outreach towards women and their roles in society ”Antigone, a woman who defines King Creon’s edict without any fear, doubts, or regrets. This courageous woman, the fruit of incest, has fascinated philosophers in the nineteenth century, inspired playwrights in the twentieth century, and intrigued feminist thinkers and activists for decades” (Söderbäck). Birth from a respected bloodline, Antigone doesn’t feel respected at all within her town, especially from her uncle Creon who became entitled as the King after Antigone’s blood
She dares to challenge the arrogant tyrant Creon by expressing her points bravely and furiously, trying to warn him that women do not always have the obligation to do what men command; she dares to protest the balance between duty and law, “…for it was not Zeus made such a law; such is not the Justice of the gods.” (Antigone), making her decisions in an equitable way and promise to find the real justice so as to give respect to her brother, Polyneices’ burial. Even though in the end Creon tries to give Antigone a lesson by putting her to prison, Antigone did not escape, for she understood that her action and pride would bring about these consequences, and she did not regret for doing this. In addition, we can also observe women power by seeing Creon’s words and behaviors. Creon’s hubris as a men affects how he thinks about women, he considered women as secondary creature.
Men were more better than women and antigone also change that so people can see that they can stand for themselves. She showed woman that they can do that as
Masculinity vs Feminism in Antigone Theorists suggest that law is sometimes challenged by moral values. And when you add the pre-defined gender roles to that challenge the outcome is unpredictable. The play Antigone agreed with this way of thinking, proving it through the two main characters – Creon and Antigone. Creon was a domineering ruler who believed men were superior.
In the play Antigone, Sophocles demonstrates the conflict between family and God through the characters of Antigone, Ismene and Creon. Antigone being ambitious and strong willed throughout the play, fights for his brothers honor and proper burial while Ismene on the other hand, is more timid fears the consequences that may occur if the laws are broken. For Creon he is the King and holds most power, until the Gods feel he is incapable. Antigone, Ismene and Creon all use logical and emotional appeals to achieve a compromise to either bury Polynices or not.
Creon throughout the whole play shows a discrimination toward women, in the end he ends up undergoing a terrible downfall. In the play, Antigone is the protagonist who most of the sexism is appointed toward. Creon shows a lot of feminism toward Antigone not only because of her criminal action but also that the fact that she is a female. Creon goes on to send Antigone to a cell deep in the middle of the woods because she went against his law. The fact that she was a female and went against a man’s power makes it seem worse than it actually has to be, all she did was pay her respect to her brother because no one would.
In the Greek tragic drama, Antigone, by Sophocles Ismene is a foil of her sister. There are many characteristics that exhibit this, such as, Ismene’s lack of courage, how she chooses to follow civil laws over the laws of the gods, and finally, how Ismene cannot stand up for herself. There are many instances in the play where these traits are are exhibited. One way that Ismene is a foil of Antigone is because she lacks courage.
What is the role of females in the Odyssey? Taking into consideration such characters as Penelope, Circe, Athena, Scylla and the Sirens. Discuss how women are portrayed in the epic. One would think that such a wise and educated man as Aristotle would realize that men and women are created equal. Surprisingly, Aristotle stated that, “the relation of male to female is by nature a relation of superior to inferior and ruler to ruled” (Aristotle).
But Antigone did so anyways knowing the consequences were going to be brutal. This is significant because the sacrificial death of Antigone, who challenged a male counterpart is basically inevitable. This play challenged the beliefs of women during that day and age, giving them the power to criticize and proceed against an opposing male force. Without the sacrificial death, Antigone would only consist of the overpowering actions of King Creon. Her decisions and actions on challenging him was one of the main themes of the play.
Gender roles play a significant part through ought the play Antigone due to the fact that men are treated on a higher scale than women. Sophocles portrays women as people with no rights nor freedom. Antigone is on a destiny for burial rights of her brother Polyneicis. Gender roles are expressed throughout the play Antigone by disrespecting women and men having power and freedom.
Antigone also falls victim to the excessive force and jaded complexity of her uncle, when he prioritizes patriarchal standards and his law over her moral act of goodness and makes it known that, “while I’m alive, no woman is going to lord it over me” (590). All the trouble Creon put his family through just to save face and show his dominance ends up destroying what was left of his family just to avoid, “never be rated inferior to a woman, never”
Introduction The purpose of this essay is to investigate the women’s role in Classical Greece society and literature (5th/4th century b.C.). Therefore, I decided to discuss and analyse one of the most controversial comedies of that time, “Lysistrata” by Aristophanes. This text shows how women, sick of their submissive and powerless position in the political scenario of Athens and Sparta, come on the scene and, through a smart stratagem, achieve their expected result.
Antigone and Penelope demonstrate levels of strength which challenge and uphold the social norms of feminine roles during their time period. Antigone is considered to be a heroine because she stands up for what she believes is just and morally right. She allows her heart to
The women in this period did not have the ability to make political decisions and were more so just forced to follow what men said. Antigone showed how little women were able to make verdicts in Ancient Greek society, and how there are similarities still present
The sibling relationship between Antigone and her sister plays as a central theme in the work of “Antigone” by Sophocles. One central theme portrayed by Antigone and her younger sister is loyalty. Antigone places the loyalty of her family and of the gods above the loyalty of obedience to the city. By placing the loyalty of her family and the gods first, antigone shows that loyalty of both are stronger that than the loyalty to the city or ruler. Ismene, Antigone’s sister, at first puts the obedience to the city and the ruler above the loyalty to family and the gods, but later the weighing of Ismene’s loyalty shifts.