Malala Yousafzai, an activist for female education and the youngest-ever Noble Peace Prize recipient, once said that “when the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful” ("Malala Yousafzai Quotes"). Malala continuously combats the worldwide social norm that women are powerless and unequal to men by speaking out for women’s rights when everyone else is silent. Malala was so impactful and powerful that in the eyes of the Taliban, she was a threat, and they tried, yet failed, to kill her. Similarly, Antigone in Sophocles’ Antigone fights for her beliefs and meets resistance, but in the end, has a powerful impact. Sophocles has akin beliefs to Malala and contends that women in ancient Greek society are strong and influential. He does …show more content…
When discussing Antigone’s burial of Polyneices with Haimon, King Creon illuminates that he believes he, as a man, is stronger than Antigone: “If we must lose, / Let’s lose to a man, at least! Is a woman stronger than / we?” (1.3.46-48). Creon demonstrates that he doesn’t believe that women are stronger than men when he was outraged because Antigone, the woman he is referring to, might be stronger than him. Antigone was able to create change in Thebes by burying Polyneices, which Creon couldn’t control. Additionally, through Creon’s speech, Sophocles displays that Creon would prefer to lose to a man over a women because in Creon’s eyes, other men are on a similar level to him. When King Creon finally realizes that Antigone had been just in burying Polyneices and that he had been blinded by his pride, all of his views including those about women are degraded in the audience’s eyes. Because Creon’s views are degraded through his admission of arrogance, Sophocles begins to illuminate that women are not weak but …show more content…
In the Prologue, Antigone asks Ismene to assist her in burying Polyneices, their traitorous brother, because it is the god’s will, though doing so would break Creon’s edict. Ismene refused believing that as a woman, she cannot stand in contention with a man: “We are only women, / We cannot fight with men, Antigone!” (1.Prologue.46-47). Thus, Ismene exemplifies that she believes as a woman she does not have power to go against a man, especially King Creon. Antigone, who had enough power and audacity to go against King Creon and eventually succeeded in burying Polyneices, discredits Ismene’s beliefs because Antigone demonstrates that she is indeed powerful. Antigone shows that she could succeed in going against Creon’s edict regardless of if she is a woman. Because Ismene’s views are degraded through Antigone, Sophocles progressively demonstrates that women are no powerless but
In the play Antigone by Sophocles, Ismene and the Chorus can be seen as the well meaning but silent people who don't take action in the story. Ismene is initially afraid of the punishment she could face if she is caught and she claims that she cannot disobey King Creon because “Women? Defying Creon? It’s not a womans place. We are weak where they are strong (10).” In this conversation Ismene states that women don’t have the right or power to defy the law or men, and women “must do what we [they] are told (10)” which is why she refuses to help Antigone. Ismene does not stand against authority to do what is morally right, which leads Antigone to bury her brother alone and doesn’t allow Ismene to take part in the punishment since Ismene wasn’t brave enough and doesn’t deserve the same fate as Antigone. Like Ismene, the Chorus is fearful of King Creon’s punishment and they do not speak against him because they respect him. The Chorus also sees Antigone as rash and disrespectful towards the king which is why they mostly side with the king. However, it can be seen that the Chorus sides with Antigone in part of the play because they see King Creon’s punish...
At the beginning of the play, Antigone brought Ismene outside the city gates at night for a top secret meeting. Antigone wanted to bury her brother Polyneices' body because even though he died in dishonor he was her brother. Ismene refused to disobey the king which is also their Uncle Creon, and she failed to talk Antigone out of doing the act herself. "Consider, sister, how our father died,/hated and infamous; how he brought to light/his own offenses..Then, mother...did shame/violently on her life, with twisted cords. Third, our two brothers, on a single day...Each killed the other, hand against brother's hand." (Antigone, Lines 59-65) In this quote, Antigone justified her reasons for going against the law describing how her parents went through so much, how their father was banished and due to this their mother had committed suicide because her reputation went down to the drain, even after all that their two brothers went into battle against one another and died in the process. Ismene was sympathetic, but still she was noble and afraid of Creon so she did not offer her help to Antigone.
Due to the actions she took based on her emotions, Antigone suffered a far worse fate than Ismene. During her conversation with Ismene, Antigone says: “Ismene, I am going to bury him” (Sophocles, 3). To this Ismene replies with: “Bury him! You have just said the new law forbids it” (Sophocles, 3). This is the first time we experience the difference in the sisters’ behavior. Antigone has decided to bury Polyneices, although Creon’s new law forbids it. She believed that the God’s proclamation means more than Creon’s, and tells Ismene: “I will bury the brother I love” (Sophocles, 4). Ismene, on the other hand, knows that this action is forbidden by Creon’s law and isn’t willing to break it. She says: “But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do! [...] Think how much more terrible than these our own death would be if we should go against Creon and do what he has forbidden![...]The law is strong, we must give into the law in this thing, and in worse. I beg the Dead to forgive me, but I am helpless: I must yield to those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business to be always meddling” (Sophocles, 3-4). Ismene clearly respects the law and knows the repercussions of breaking it, something that Antigone chooses to ignore.
When Antigone comes to her sister for assistance in burying their brother’s body, Ismene refuses. While this may be seen as an example of her cowardly, docile nature, such as how the line “You ought to realize we are only women” (61) is often interpreted, it shows that Ismene was aware of where she stood in Theban society. It is common knowledge that Ancient Greece was a patriarchy, with women holding little to no political power. Even beyond the fact that she and Antigone are women living in a male-dominated society, Ismene recognizes how low their family has fallen, with herself and Antigone being the children of a kin-slayer and his wife. A reasonable person in Ismene’s situation would most likely have acted in a similar manner, as it would be far too great of a risk to defy Creon. Ismene was simply aware that no one would come to the aid of Oedipus’s daughters when they faced “the edict of death”
When Antigone went against Creons decree, she triggered a lot of people, including herself, to become hurt and involved in mayhem. In response to the actions that Antigone had committed, Creon made an attempt to hurt her more by threatening her sister, Ismene; “Arrest Ismene. I accuse her equally. Bring her sniffling in the house there,” (Sophocles, 388). Ismene was almost punished severely due to being involved in the plot to bury Polyneices, their brother. Although Creon forbade this, Antigones religious values made her become disobedient to the new laws that Creon had fabricated. While Ismene was given back her freedom, Creons threat to put her to death shows just how severe the consequences could have been.
The position of women is an important theme in this play. Gender has an impact on Antigone and her actions. Antigone does not stress her own gender openly, but Creon does, refusing to take back Antigone's punishment because she, a woman, has broken his law. One can view Antigone as being fed up with restrictions and obsessed with death and martyrdom. Clearly, she is motivated by love for her brother and by her strong belief that the divine law has been violated. However, becoming a martyr makes the consequences of her action an additional advantage, rather than an obstacle.
One of the conflicts in Antigone, is the struggle between men and women. Ismene tells Antigone that since birth, women “were not born to contend with men,” (75) displaying women’s obedience and passivity. In the same passage, Ismene says: “we’re underlings, ruled by stronger hands,” (76) a representation of men’s aggressive and “stronger hands” that dominate women and treats them as second-class citizens. The only woman in Thebes who desires to break free from these chains is Antigone, who stands up against Ismene’s passivity urging her to “submit to this,” (77) and defy Creon by burying Polynices. By breaking Creon’s edict, Antigone challenges the traditional gender roles women and men play. In what ways does the theme of gender in Antigone, demonstrate the passion and choices behind Antigone and Ismene’s decisions?
The significance of Antigone’s action are deeply under the influence of her sexuality. In fact, Creon admits that one of the main reasons that motivates him to overthrow Antigone is simply due to the fact that she is a female. Even if someone considers the freedom of females with ancient standards he will realize that women in Greek was under a severe restrictions and limitations. Having this in mind, Antigone's disobedience was considered as a potential danger because it was aiming to change female’s character in the Greek society. Antigone chose to be active and this changes one of the vital laws of the Greek culture. Antigone is the Protagonist because at the very opening of the play she disagrees with her sister who is considered to be a ‘good girl’ based on the Greek conception of being good because she unquestionably obeys the laws of the society. In the opposing point, Antigone is an anarchists and refuses to be like her sister. So in a sense, Ismene is Antigone's foil due to the fact t...
Antigone is viewed today for many reasons. Antigone teaches about why it is important to stand up to corrupt authority which is relevant to present day life because of police brutality, which appears in the media very frequently. Antigone is also viewed in present day because standing up to authority can be empowering, especially when used for the greater good. Antigone is perceived as a feminist figure because she is a strong female character that displays bravery.
The book also has conflict between Antigone and her sister, Ismene. In the opening chapter, Ismene becomes central to this moralistic tale as she stands for all that was expected of women in Greece in 5BC. She alone, in her dialogue shows us, right from the beginning why Antigone is so brave in her decision to bury Polyneices when she says; “Two women on our own faced with a death decree – women, defying Creon? It’s not a woman’s place. We’re weak where they are strong. Whether it’s this or worse, we must do as we’re told.”
Greek tragedy incorporates female characters that symbolize women in Ancient Greece. Through the portrayal of Antigone in the playwright, Antigone in Antigone by Sophocles and Penelope in the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer, these two women play opposing roles depicting how they appear to society through their actions. In both of these stories, they embody the ideals of passionate women who are very loyal and brave. Through other female characters in each story such as Penelope and Ismene, we can construct a better view of traits illustrated by Antigone and Penelope.
Antigone is the stubborn, free-willed sister who wants to do what’s right and not think about the consequences that will come to play in the future. “This female character takes on a rebellious role quite different from that of the other more docile woman of the time,” (Ashley Bouque). The quote talks about Antigone being different, while Ismene is more docile and does what she is told. Take the Woman rights movement, even though its thousands of years later. Before the Woman rights movement happened, woman did what they were told and followed the rules, like Ismene. After the movement, woman did what they thought were right to them and didn’t care about the rules, like Antigone.
Although Ancient Greece was a male dominant society, Antigone, written by Sophocles, portrays women as being strong and capable of making wise decisions. In this tragedy, Sophocles used the characters Ismene and Antigone to display the different characteristics and roles that women are typical of interpreting. In the Ancient Greek culture, women were traditionally characterized as weak and subordinate, which is reflected in the character, Ismene. However, through the character of Antigone, Sophocles goes beyond the typical stereotypes and presents realistic viewpoints about women.
In the play Antigone, by Sophocles, it is greatly apparent just within the first few exchanges between Ismene and Antigone that there are various social issues surrounding the women in ancient Greece. The play raises many gender and socially related issues especially when looking at the contextual background of the playwright and the representation of the women within the play. When the characters of the first scene begin their analog, it is important to note what they are actually saying about each other and what their knowledge of their own social status is. The audience is first introduced to Antigone who we later learn is the antagonist of the play as she rebels against the protagonist, Creon. Her sister, Ismene, is the second character the audience is introduced to, hears of Antigone's plan to bury their brother's body in the first scene. Ismene’s actions and words give the reader the hint that her sister’s behavior is not usual, "so fiery" and "so desperate" are the words used to describe Antigone's frame of mind. At this very early point in the play the reader discovers that Antigone is determined to carry out her mission to bury her beloved brother. However, she is in no position that gives her the rights as a woman, sister, or even future queen to make her own decisions and rebel. Instead, her decision to bury her brother demonstrates her loyalty to her family, the gods, and to all women. Her motivation for those decisions will end up driving her far more than that of what the laws set by Creon have implemented. She shows no fear over disobeying the king and later says about the punishment of death "I will lie with the one I love and loved by him"(Sophocles, 2). Throughout the play the reader can see the viewpoint of an obedient woman, a rebellious woman, and the social norms required for both of them.
The sexist stereotypes presented in this tragedy address many perspectives of men at this time. Creon the arrogant and tyrant leader is, the very character that exemplifies this viewpoint. Antigone's spirit is filled with bravery, passion and fury; which allow her to symbolize the very essence of women. She is strong enough to do what her conscious tells her despite the laws of the land. Many examples in the play prove that Antigone's character is very capable of making her own decisions in the name of justice. First, Antigone opposes Creon's law and buries her slain brother; because in her mind it was immoral not to. She does this because she is compassionate and loves her brother very much. Creon, however, believes that his laws must be upheld and would do anything to prevent any type rebelling. He is even more infuriated when he learns that a woman has broken his laws. He tries to show Antigone who's in charge by sentencing her to a life of imprisonment. Secondly, Antigone shows how determined she is by accepting her consequences with pride. She does not try to hide that she is responsible for breaking Creon's laws, moreover, she takes all the credit. All the while she maintains her strength because she truly believes in her actions. These sorts of actions ultimately prove that Antigone is courageous and willing to stand up to men, which was completely against the norm at this time. Her spirit refuses to submit to the role of a helpless woman like her sister Ismene's character does.