Gender Roles In Antigone
Gender inequities in Antigone: A closer look at Athenian society
Introduction
Sophocles adroitly rendered the gender conflict between Creon and Antigone in his renowned play Antigone, as the two characters rigidly defend their beliefs on burying Polynices, the traitor of Thebes and Antigone’s brother. His disdain for women emerges in various passages of the play, as Creon learns that Antigone attempted to bury Polynices against his orders and, as his son Haemon opposes his decision to lock Antigone in a tomb for her disobedience. The gender discrimination in Antigone illustrates Athenian society’s view of women as inferior to men, a threat to man’s pride, and sexual object with little significance. Moreover, Sophocles could be suggesting a subliminal message that women are capable of devise logical and rational decisions during times of conflicts.
A woman’s position in the society As a female family member, Antigone considers herself responsible in burying her brother despite Creon’s orders not to bury Polynices as he is a traitor. When Antigone learns of the king’s order, she expresses her loathing in the edict. Antigone exclaims “Such, I hear, is the martial law our good Creon / lays down for you and me,” and she recognizes that Creon’s
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Antigone explains that she broke the king’s order “not out of fear of some man’s wounded pride”, but she feared the retribution of the gods for not performing the burial rites for her brother. However, Creon undeniably takes her actions as a threat to his masculinity as he states “I am not the man, not now; she is the man / if this victory goes to her and she goes free” (p. 83, 541). His perspective is that the person with greater power is always masculine, and he fails to be a man if Antigone wins in the conflict with the king. As Creon accuses Ismene as a supporter of Antigone in burying their brother, Creon flouts death and the gods, as he
Similarities Between Antigone And Creon
161 Words | 1 Pages(Sophocles page 29) shows that Creon believes that no women in general has greater power than himself. While talking to Antigone in this scene, Creon would not listen to Antigone. In Creon’s eyes Antigone is in the wrong. Even if Antigone has a good reason to defend what has happened Creon would not change his
Differences Between Antigone And Creon
501 Words | 3 PagesAntigone believed that women were equal or superior to men, while Creon believed women were inferior to men. Creon’s tragic flaw was revealed when Antigone disregarded his law and buried her brother. He was infuriated to discover that he had been defied by a woman. Creon’s tragic flaw was his pride and how he believed he was superior to everyone around him. He demonstrated this again when he
Women's Empowerment In Sophocles Antigone
1735 Words | 7 PagesSophocles 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
The Destruction Of Pride In Sophocles Antigone
406 Words | 2 PagesIn the scene in which Creon will not allow her brother to be buried. This goes against her personal beliefs she confronts Creon when she says “if I had allowed my own mothers son to rot, an unburied corpse that would have been an agony.” Creon wouldn’t allow Antigone brother to be buried even tho Antigone felt it was the right thing to do. Antigone is talking to Ismene about burying her brother but Ismene tells her to keep the idea a secret but Antigone disagrees and says “But I know I’ll please the ones I’m duty bound to please.
Antigone Rhetorical Analysis
932 Words | 4 PagesIn 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.
Examples Of Sexism In Antigone
742 Words | 3 PagesCreon 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.
Male Dominance In Sophocles Antigone
1304 Words | 6 PagesAntigone, written by Sophocles, explores ideas that men are dominant, controlling everything that happens in their community while women are powerless, not allowed to speak their minds, and forced to obey men and have zero power. Creon the king symbolizes the traditional view of male dominance; he is an example of a poor leader since he only follows what he believes in and ignores opinions from others. Haemon, the king's son, has a different perspective on his father's opinions, thinking his father is wrong and that women should have equal rights. Through the contrast of Haemon’s and Creon’s opinions, Sophocles suggests that women should not be discriminated against and that they should have equal rights.
Antigone And The Burial At Thebes Analysis
615 Words | 3 PagesAntigone was not married but she was also conformed within most of these rules and regulations, although she was not like most of the other girls due to the fact that she told Ismene “From mine own He has no right to stay me”, referring to Creon. She was not bothered by risking her own life by going against her future uncle-in-laws orders, or by going against the norms of society. Antigone is seen in these plays as a self-righteous feminist, determined to do what she feels is right even if she is breaking the law. Antigone has major respect for the dead and believes they deserve special treatment. Her devotion to respecting her dead brother leads to her own death, and the death of Creon’s son and wife by the form of
Strong Women In Antigone
465 Words | 2 PagesWhen Creon and Antigone discuss why Antigone buried her brother, she declares, “Enough. Give me glory could I win than to give my own brother a decent burial? These citizens here would agree”(Sophocles 498-512).She knew that what she was doing was right that even the citizens in that time will agree but they are too afraid of standing against the law. The Ancient Greek view did not expect for a woman stand up, speak up and to make any decision or manifesting her unconformity. She proves that standing up and defend what oneself believes can make a total change in future generations.
Similarities Between Creon And Antigone
380 Words | 2 PagesThroughout the play, Creon and Antigone are very much at odds with each other ,but yet both characters show pride that is evident throughout the story. Even when Creon and Antigone express their pride for different reasons, both are lash out at people around them in a similar fashion. During the start of the play, Antigone finds out that her brother, Polyneices, is dead and Creon is not willing to bury him by enforcing an interdict. Antigone comes quickly to the conclusion that she must bury her brother to honor her family. Ismene, trying to keep an eye out for her sister, tries to talk Antigone out of burying her brother.
Role Of Men In Antigone
918 Words | 4 PagesLord of the Flies, a novel written by William Golding and Antigone, a translated play written by Jean Anouilh are two texts that accurately reflect the role of men and women in society. Antigone, a translated French play that tells a story of two brothers, Eteocles and Polyniece, that have been killed in a battle which they were leading opposite sides in Thebes’ civil war. Creon declared new ruler of Thebes orders that Eteocles will have a proper honored burial, sanctified by holy rites, whereas Polyniece, the rebel, will not have a proper burial, his body laid unburied to become the food of animals. Antigone and Ismene, sisters of the dead brothers, last children of the ill Oedipus. Antigone and Ismene, one fearless and one submissive.
Gender Roles In Antigone
483 Words | 2 PagesGender 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.
Examples Of Feminism In Antigone
530 Words | 3 PagesNevertheless, it shows a woman standing up to a powerful man in a time where that was not heard of which makes Antigone herself a feminist figure. At the very beginning of the play, it was shown the difference in personalities and viewpoints in Antigone and her sister, Ismene. After Antigone told her sister what she was going to do and asked for her help, Ismene replied like every other woman would in that era. “I shall do no dishonor. But to act against the citizens.
Theme Of Gender Inequality In Antigone
489 Words | 2 PagesHow can it be that a play written over thousands of years ago effectively delineates today’s problems regarding gender inequality? Sophocles tells of a very adamant and fervent woman, Antigone, who fights for her desires while simultaneously disregarding Creon, the king, and his laws. As punishment, Antigone was placed in a dungeon, but sadly was unable to handle the isolation and committed suicide. In Sophocles's Antigone, women’s efforts to change any aspect of their lives are futile because they will inevitably be subjected to inferior perceptions and treated as so.
Gender Bias In Antigone
656 Words | 3 PagesIn “Antigone” many actions suggest how women are often considered law abiding figures. Antigone’s sister Ismene, show cowardice when told Antigone’s plot. She states “We must remember we are women born, Unapt to cope with men”. (Sophocles 3). Women in Thebes were shown to be afraid to stand up.
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