Roles of Women in Antigone - 1976 Words

Roles of Women in the Greek Tragedy Antigone Despite the male dominant society of Ancient Greece, the women in Sophocles’ play Antigone all express capabilities of powerful influence and each individually possess unique characteristics, showing both similarities and contrasts. The women in the play are a pivotal aspect that keeps the plot moving and ultimately leads to the catharsis of this tragedy. Beginning from the argument between Antigone and Ismene to Eurydice’s suicide, a male takes his own life and another loses everything he had all as a result of the acts these women part take in. The women all put their own family members above all else, but the way they go about showing that cherishment separates them amongst many other things.†¦show more content†¦Supported or not, Antigone has made up her mind. Ismene is presented as a foil to her sister, Antigone, in their initial take on the decision of whether or not they should provide their brother the burial he wasn’t granted. Ismene, on the contrary, proves to be very cautious and wise with her decision. Instead of being persuaded by Antigone and follow her down a cursed path, she reminds herself and her sister of the great obstacles that will make the burial nearly impossible and help them avoid the wrath of an egotistical man. Ismene can either be interpreted as a weakling or as a strong character depending on the point of view she is observed by. When she refuses to extend her aid to her sister, it can be seen as a reason to save her own life or as a chance to not just save but prevent chaos to all. In either case, Ismene stands opposed to her sister’s beliefs to go against Creon’s words. She believes that the certain responsibilities and activities that one is to take part in is dependent on the basis of gend er roles. The debate between the laws of man and the laws of the gods forms the spine of this Greek drama. Sophocles is essentially posing a question to the readers about whether the obedience of the citizen should be given to the gods and family or to the authority when they are on conflicting terms. While Ismene sides with the authority and Antigone shows loyalty to the gods and her family, Eurydice doesn’t quite make a clear-cutShow MoreRelatedAntigone Role of Women1366 Words   |  6 PagesProfessor Stoner English 1301 October 16, 2012 Antigone Essay Throughout history, cultures from around the world has set hat standards for women to abide to. Up until the twentieth century, women were viewed as second class citizens by society and had less freedom and rights than their male counterparts as compare today in the modern world where women can be more involve in society. Although women still face discrimination such as the glass ceiling in the business corporateRead MoreWomens Role in Macbeth and Antigone Essay1563 Words   |  7 Pagesnovels, women have had important roles of helping form the main characters, in the way they think, move or change the story. Women have always been subordinate to men all through history, but in plays, novels, short stories, etc, they have been given large enforcing roles, showing the power within women. William Shakespeare and Sophocles use guilt, pride, and influence to demonstrate the importance of the women’s role to support the main characters in both the plays of Macbeth and Antigone. In MacbethRead MoreGender Role Of Women In Antigone By Sophocles814 Words   |  4 Pagesleast. Is a woman stronger than we?† (Sophocles.II.3.539-540) says Creon, King of Thebes and uncle to the disobeying but brave Antigone in Antigone by Sophocles. A patriarchal society is a community in which male domination over women, Sophocles explains the journey of Antigone in getting her brother buried and yielding against the laws of Thebes in a man dominated city. Antigone portrayed in the play is loyal and stubborn, she would do anything that feels ethical and honest to her even if that disregardingRead MoreAntigone s Bravery And Her Challenge Of Breaking The Traditional Role Of Women1782 Words   |  8 PagesChallenge of Breaking the Traditional Role of Women (October 6) Antigone is an extremely strong woman. The way that she stood up to King Creon when he banned the burial of her brother Polyneices for being a traitor. Antigone disregarded any consequences for her actions from the King just to do what she thought was morally right. Also, in Antigone women were looked at as being inferior to men. The scene that showed just how superior men thought they were to women in Antigone was when Creon mocked his sonRead MoreWomen in Ancient Greece1638 Words   |  7 PagesGreece is renowned for developing and enacting the concept of democracy, women were excluded from the equation. Women in ancient Greece were believed to be weak of mind and in need of protection by a male guardian such as a brother, husband, or father (Women in Ancient Greece). Sophocles play Antigone encapsulates the conflict in Greek society between genuine and farcical democracy. Greeces patriarchal society excludes women from formal decision-making processes so that, in the case of Creo n, leadersRead MoreWomen s Oppression Of Women1657 Words   |  7 PagesThe oppression of women is best described as a steel cage, crafted over the centuries by the hands of patriarchal powers, enslaving flightless and chirp less birds. Birds may be benevolent and gentle, yet they embody a power most ferocious amongst all creatures. Though, it is of no fascination as to why women, in being similar to birds, transform from powerful peoples to frail figures. The molestation of power from these birds is done by the hindering cage encompassing them. The thick bars of oppressionRead MoreAnalysis Of Antigone By Sophocles1408 Words   |  6 PagesMartinez July 1, 2015 AP Literature Antigone Throughout the course of human existence, there has been a clear division line that defines the gender roles that have been followed. History has taught us many things and included within that list is inequality. Men and women haven t been treated equality for many years in the past, but the good thing is that now, women have at least a little bit more justice done towards them. Although throughout time in recorded history, women have shown and proved not onlyRead MoreDifferent portrayals of women in Antigone and Lysistrata1447 Words   |  6 PagesThe different portrayals of female characters Antigone and Lysistrata illustrate the fundamental nature of the proper Athenian woman. Sophocles Antigone allows the reader to see that outrage over social injustices does not give women the excuse to rebel against authority, while Aristophanes Lysistrata reveals that challenging authority in the polis becomes acceptable only when its faced with destruction through war. Sophocles and Aristoph anes use different means to illustrate the same idea; theRead MoreThe Feminist Criticism Of Antigone Essay1703 Words   |  7 PagesStudent’s Name Tutor’s Name Course Code Date Sophocles Antigone The feminist criticism approach evaluates how sexual identity impacts the creation and perception of literary pieces of art. It was originally an offshoot of the feminist movements but has currently employed certain approaches, such as the Masculinity approach, which is advocated by Robert Bly. Feminist criticism takes a primary role in articulating the patriarchal perceptions that have dominated the Western thought. The perceptionsRead MoreGender Roles In Antigone1547 Words   |  7 PagesIn Sophocles’ Antigone, gender roles are a major conflicting theme throughout the entire play. The setting of the play was written during the Greek mythological days, around 442 B.C. During these days, men were dominant and held all of the power, so women were automatically treated as less. Antigone and Creon portray the conflicting sides between male and female, and Ismene and Haemon portray opposing sides to Antigone and Creon’s actions. Antigone, Ismene, Creon, and Haemon each sho w differences