Antigone

In the play Antigone, men view women as a threat to their masculinity and do whatever they have to in order to silence them. However, the women find ways to speak out anyway. Gender has profound affects on the meaning of Antigone's actions. Creon feels the need to defeat Antigone more so because she is a woman. Antigone's rebellion is especially threatening because it upsets gender roles and hierarchy. By refusing to be passive, she overturns one of the fundamental rules of her culture.

Her blatant disrespect and sarcasm toward Creon shows how she really feels toward him. Antigone does not respect Creon as the king of Thebes. This gets further proved when Antigone says, “It wasn’t Zeus, not in the least, who made this proclamation–not to me” (Sophocles Antigone, 499-500). This is a very telling moment for the reader, Antigone is saying she did not listen to Creon’s decree not only because she does not respect him, but also she will only listen to the gods rules. This moment tells Creon that Antigone will never respect him as a ruler. Antigone is very stubborn, and when she is very passionate she will speak her mind, “And if my present actions strike you as foolish, let's just say I’ve been accused of folly by a fool” (Sophocles Antigone, 523-5). In these few lines she is talking to Creon about how she does not regret burying her brother. She tells Creon, the person who holds her fate in his hands, that he is a fool. Antigone’s hubris finally comes back to ruin her, “We took his orders, went and searched, and there in the deepest, dark recesses of the tomb we found her… hanged by the neck in a fine linen noose” (Sophocles Antigone, 1344-7). The ‘her’ the messenger is speaking of is Antigone. Antigone is so prideful and spiteful her last act on Earth was a smug reminder to Creon that if she was going to die it would be on her own terms, by her own hand. Antigone is one character that perfectly showcases how hubris can lead to ultimate demise.

Not all women however are as willful as Antigone. Her own sister, Ismene, portrays a women reluctant to follow what she feels is right in her own mind and follow the laws set by the governing state. Ismene’s words to Antigone, “I do them no dishonour, but to act against the city’s will I am to weak.” (Ismene,

Some agree with Antigone’s behavior, such as Haemon, Antigone’s fiance; while others disagree, such as the chorus. The reason for some disagreement is because of Antigone’s bold journey across the separating borderline of gender roles. Her actions and words are all categorized as “manly” under the ideas portrayed in Sophocles’ Antigone. By defying that predefined stereotype, a lot of debatable opinions begin to be thrown around. One is that, it wasn’t necessarily Antigone’s place as a woman to take matters into her own hands and fight for what she believes in using such insolence.

Creon even got to the point of accusing his son of taking Antigone’s side because she was a woman and his fiancé. This is evident by the quote, “This boy, it seems, has sold out to a woman.” This quote shows that his judgement was clouded by his conviction that he was right, that he couldn’t even see reason anymore. He even went against the will of the gods and declined a proper burial for

In Ancient Greece, women were meant to be treated like slaves and men were always meant to boss them around. Antigone proved she was a strong and an independent woman by standing up to Creon for what she did. She says, “I do. I deny nothing.” This proves that Antigone is not ashamed for claiming her guilt to Creon. I feel like Creon should of taken consideration that it was

Throughout the play, Antigone is contradicted by her sister Ismene. Where Antigone is stubborn and hardheaded, Ismene is more obedient; Where Antigone is not afraid of going against the roles set for her gender, Ismene believes that they should be followed. When Antigone tells her sister of her plans to continue with Polyneices’ burial despite Creon’s orders, Ismene tries to reason with her, saying that because they are women, they shouldn’t disobey Creon’s proclamation. The equal value placed upon the views of both women is expressed in Antigone’s conversation with Ismene, in which she tells her sister “to those who agree with each, each of us was right,” (685-687). The play points out that at times, being obedient to the law even if one does not agree to it may be wiser than being stubborn and hard headed, even if it’s for a good

Feminism is defined as the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of social, political, and economic equality to men. Feminism plays a major role in hundreds of cultures, as it raises consideration to civil freedoms of women across the globe. Feminists generally seek to bring about change by fighting for what they believe in, and are often considered to have personal strength and integrity. In the play Antigone written by the Greek playwright Sophocles, the main character Antigone is a symbol of feminism revolt. She is nowhere near as radical as other the feminist characters of her time, however, Antigone does puts her life on expense, trying to stand up to the patriarchal society in which she was confined. The reader can see the man

One of the most important characters in Sophocles’ Antigone is actually a group of individuals. The chorus consists of a group of Theban elders, and they serve as the voice of the people. These men are considered the wisest in all of Thebes. “Their attitude to what is going on is always shaped by their responsibilities and special interest of their position” (Kirkwood 3). The chorus is not attached to any one character specifically; it reacts to its own thoughts and emotions (3). The chorus is often used to create breaks in the scenes of plays, but in Antigone, the chorus serves a greater purpose then that of a segue. It is seamlessly integrated into the play, which allows the chorus to become highly personal and

Her first words in the play were to her sister, Ismene – “my own flesh and blood…” (1) This quote embodies her sense of intense loyalty to her family, and Creon “has no right to keep [her] from [her] own!” (48). Her values are admirable and in the right place, but she handles the matter in an extreme manner. Her fit of passion extends into most of her conversations, and she speaks to the king as if he were equal, even less than her, which is not the case in the cultural norms present in this time period. Antigone attempts to put Creon in his place by telling him “Nor did I think your edict had such force/that you, a mere mortal, could override the gods…” (503-505).

The role of women has been changing and Antigone is a perfect example because she defines herself not by her gender, but by her actions and words. To Creon however, he believes women should not make any decisions and he has power over them: “When I am alive no woman shall rule” (2050). Antigone defines herself by defying Creon’s law and burying her brother Polyneices. She then actually confesses and didn’t even deny, especially when Creon asks her if she knew of the laws he made and she replies by saying, “I knew it; of course I did. For it was public”(2048). Antigone shows that she has the strength to do things her own way and not let men control her, even if her actions costs her own life in the end. Much like Antigone taking power away from

In the play, Haemon is brought to his father to be informed off the news of his soon to be wife. In the discussion between Creon and Haemon, they speak of Haemon's obedience and Antigone's disobedience to Creon. Creon says, "So I must guard the men who yield to order, not let myself be beaten by a woman. Better, if it must happen that a man should overset me. I won't be called weaker than womankind" (Sophocles 211). Creon makes it clear that his reasoning relies on sexism and not what is truly just. Women are often downgraded to the status of a secondary role as shown in the story.

Sophocles, the author, meticulously developed the theme of gender expectations through Creon. For instance, in the play, Creon was averse towards the thought of Antigone committing the crime: “ But this is Antigone! Why have you brought her here?” (Scene 2, 18). The author shows Creon was surprised towards the action of a female carrying out such a jeopardize crime. Creon’s tone helps the author depict his contemptuous thoughts towards women by questioning Antigone. In addition, Creon is tepid on women’s ideal

Here Ismene’s suggestion is that a woman is naturally much weaker than a man and a woman does not have the strength to fight against man. But Antigone has very different view. Her main focus is to bury her brother and to do it she is ready to do anything. She is too strong to fight against the king like a man. She is the one among mortal woman in Greek literature who publicly challenges the king, male authority. In the final book of Iliad, the King Priam begs Achilles for pity. But unlike King Priam, Antigone chooses the path to challenge against the King Creon. All the Thebans including venerable elders, guards, common people are frightened of him. The guards tremble before the king, the common people dare not speak their mind to him, venerable elders are frightened of him, Haemon, son of Creon flatters toward him. But unlike them Antigone, a very young woman is fearless and challenges the king’s edict.

In “Antigone” by Sophocles, a famous ancient Greek tragedian, the main character, Antigone, demonstrates a prohibited action in a strict, male-dominated society. Greek civilization upheld strong values and rules that were designed to enforce orderly behavior among its people. There were state laws created by the King, Creon, and divine laws created by the Gods. Divine law was superior to the king laws, and if that rule was disrupted, eternal consequences could ruin an individual. In this society, men were mighty, powerful, and in control of the kingdom. Women were traditionally treated as an underclass with no voice or power. Women were restricted from performing any masculine jobs, holding high civilization positions, and disobeying men. Although Greek civilization had strict standards for women, Antigone challenges the law through her actions in order to satisfy the Gods because it is what she thought was the right decision.