Roles of Women in Antigone

1986 Words4 Pages

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. In one of the opening scenes, the fluctuating emotions of the heated dialogue between Ismene and Antigone takes place. The two sisters take turns evoking passion and subjectiveness on their role as people in this world, but more specifically as civilians of Greece. Antigone has the mentality that she owes her duty of being an obedient family member (Johnson 370). Likewise, Ismene fears for her sister’s life and tries to persuade her that her allegiance may lay too strongly in the wrong place. Both women ultimately value family, however, they are split between whom they are most considerate to and immediately cause the audience to take sides. Antigone, the protagonist of the play, has what is seemingly the most powerful female role. From the very beginning of the plot she foreshadows her demise but expresses it through her stubbornness and inability to realize the great power of man. It is possible that she was aware of Creon’s capabilities as a leader, but nonetheless, she fights back by going t... ... middle of paper ... ... on the Plays of Sophocles. SIU Press, 1991. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Johnson, Patricia J. "Woman's Third Face: A Psycho/Social Reconsideration of Sophocles' Antigone." Arethusa 30.3 (1997): 369-398. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Kirkpatrick, Jennet. "The Prudent Dissident: Unheroic Resistance in Sophocles’ Antigone." The Review of Politics 73.03 (2011): 401-424. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Lyberaki, Antigone. "The Crisis And Women's Economic Independence: Some Warnings From Greece." Journal Of Critical Studies In Business & Society 3.1 (2012): 12-39. Business Source Complete. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Rosenfield, Kathrin H. "Getting Inside Sophocles' Mind Through Holderlin's Antigone." New Literary History 30.1 (1999): 107-127. Project MUSE. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Sophocles. Antigone. Trans. Peter Bagg. The Norton Anthology World Literature. 3rd ed. Vol. A. N.p.: W.W. Norton &, 2012. 747-83. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Feminism In Antigone And Wicked

    1786 Words  | 4 Pages

    Captivatingly, both women act daringly, regardless of the culturally constructed labels as women, products of incest and wickedness. They use their “otherness” as a power mechanism, rather than an excuse to passivity. In conclusion, Elphaba and Antigone challenge conventional roles of gender, as they are strong, courageous figures of rebellion and exemplify a lack of traditional gender normativity.

    Read More

  • Sophocles' Antigone - Creon's Mistakes

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antigone, a resolute and heroic female protagonist, pits her individual free will against the intractable forces of fate and against the irrational and unjust laws of tyrannical man like Creon.

    Read More

  • Women´s Role in Society in Antigone, Aeneid, and The Art of Courtly Love

    1048 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play Antigone written by Sophacles, Antigone did not really have a role to play in society. She explored a contrast between the behaviour expected by women and the way she really acted in society. Women were considered as slaves being servants in homes, weaving all the time. During those days women did not have any rights and only had to obey the King’s orders.

    Read More

  • The Play Antigone, by Sophocles

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although both sisters have lost their brothers, Antigone is the only one who will go against her king to do what she knows is right. When Antigone asks her sister if she will help her bury their brother Polyneices, Ismene responds with, “We are only women; we cannot fight with men, Antigone! The law is strong; we must give into the law…” (Ismene 774). Naturally, Ismene should be afraid for herself, as well for the safety of her sister because what Antigone is asking of her will mostly likely cause them both to be killed. However, she should be braver like Antigone, and realize that she must do what is morally right for their family, and give her brother the proper burial that he deserves. Afterward, when Antigone has already been captured, Ismene then comes forth to try and share the punishment that has been given to Antigone, but Antigone tells King Creon that she has done nothing. In addition, when Creon asks Ismene if she had anything to do with the crime, and Antigone denies it, Ismene then replies, “But now I know what you meant; and I am here to join you, to take my share of punishment” (Ismene 785). Although now Ismene feels like she needs to stand up to the King and do what is right for her

    Read More

  • Male Roles in the Plays Antigone and A Doll’s House

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    The first fault of our male antagonists that concludes with the demise of our female leads Antigone and Nora is the large amount of “hubris”, or pride, that each character possesses. For instance, at the beginning of Antigone, Creon makes a decree that is flatly and purposefully disobeyed by his niece, Antigone. Even though over the course of the play many wise and gifted men try to reason with him that what she has done might have been the will of the gods, Creon refuses to give in to their insight purely based on the fact that he will not allow himself to be put to shame by backin...

    Read More

  • Sister Ismene In William Shakespeare's 'Antigone'

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antigone is the woman who stands up for what she believes in with her beliefs and the actions that are carried out. Antigone says, “Your edict, King, was strong, / But all your strength is weakness itself against, /They are not merely now: they were, and shall be,/Operative for ever,beyond man utterly” (1.68-72). Antigone courageous behavior continues from the beginning of the story until the end of the play. Antigone standing up for what she believed in causes her to become a role model towards females in that time period. Women did not have the opportunity to be able to enter public speaking and express how they felt towards situations. Women in that time period were meant to keep opinions to themselves. Creon has a hard time keeping Antigone quiet throughout the play. Creon says, “We keep the laws then, and the lawmakers, /And no woman shall seduce us. If we must lose, /Lets lose to a man, at least! Is a woman stronger than we? (3. 50-51). The death of Antigone’s brother gives a positive outlook for the lives of women in that time period. While Antigone does mature throughout the story, it become more evident later on at truly how strong-willed she is and how protective she is of her family she is. As she grows more comfortable into her role of an outspoken woman she begins to be the care-taker/heroine/strong willed woman of the

    Read More

  • Antigone

    650 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antigone is almost hailed to a god like status, as Oedipus was before her. She is extremely strong and unbelievably willing to sacrifice everything in the name of honor and pride. She so easily makes her decisions and chooses to die willingly without a second thought. The minute Creon questions her on breaking the law, she states: “Die I must, -I knew that well (how should I not?)-even without thy edicts.” What is even more is that Antigone was a woman, a woman in a time of extreme male domination. This makes her even stronger of a person in the play and shows the growing strength of the gender that we know of today.

    Read More

  • Antigone by Sophocles

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Role of Women in Antigone

    596 Words  | 2 Pages

    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?

    Read More

  • A Literary Analysis Of Sophocles Ismene's Antigone

    283 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the playwright, Antigone, by Sophocles Ismene’s main goal throughout the story is to prevent further tragedy and sorrow by reasoning with Antigone, her sister, with her rash decisions. For instance, Antigone and Ismene’s brother died fighting bravely without a proper funeral; so Antigone with her noble heart wanted to jeopardize her life for a dead loved one against their merciless king. However, Ismene did not want to see her beloved sister wind up dead over her brother so she said, “ But think of the danger! Think of what Creon will do.” Ismene wanted to keep the remainder of her family alive, so she knew that she had to make the “truth” clear to her sister. Therefore, she desperately tried to put things in perspective by making Antigone

    Read More

  • Ismenes Indecisiveness in Antigone

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    The play Antigone is usually thought of as either the tragedy of Creon or the tragedy of Antigone, but it is just as much the tragedy of Antigone's sister Ismene. In the play, Antigone and Creon hold on to two different ideals, Antigone to the ideal of sororal duty and holy rights, while Creon holds on to the rules of his kingdom, dominated by the laws of men and of reason. Ismene is obsessed by her role as a woman, choosing to ignore her feelings of obligation towards her family, and remaining completely indecisive and inactive, as she believes a woman should. By the end of the play she is left in the same position as Creon, without any family in the world and feeling partially responsible for the outcome. If Ismene had stood up and done something either to stop Creon from sentencing Antigone to death, or to help Antigone in burying Polyneices, she would in the end be with her family in life or in death, and be better of than being left alone on earth alive. Also the actions of the characters in the play are very comparable to the ideas and strategies of the Greeks and Spartans in Thucydides, written shortly afterwards.

    Read More

  • Women In Society In Sophocles Antigone And Sister Carrie

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    Do women participate more in more often in today 's workforce rather than they did in earlier times? How do the dynamics of the participation, in respect to the times, compare or contrast? In Sophocles ' Antigone and Dreiser’s Sister Carrie, the women must both overcome gender barriers throughout their struggles. Throughout their lives they each displayed strong and pioneering actions. Even when they were looked down upon by men, they persevered. While the number of women who participate in the workforce has increased dramatically since the 1930’s, to what extent they are participating, and the aspects of their participation, still faces gender bias.

    Read More

  • Lady Macbeth and Antigone

    641 Words  | 2 Pages

    The consequences of acts of rebellion against their patriarchal systems by Antigone and Lady Macbeth result in their premature deaths. Two women who exist in society as property of men, yet gather the courage to speak up in order to get what they want. Each of these characters uses her dainty hands in deliberate actions against their male counterparts in wild disregard for traditional rules. An inner spirit empowers them with silent force against the men of influence in their lives. Antigone claims her superiority over Creon in confession to Ismene, the chorus, and to the King himself. She undermines his power by going against the decreed law, and instead honors her brother Polyneices by the act of burial. Similar to Lady Macbeth, our heroine Antigone applies the make-up of a man’s abilities as a formidable force against the patriarchy. Near the end of her life, she fears nothing, nor regrets the rebellious acts against the king that bring to her the solace of death. Antigone’s lips gush bold words as bright as burning stars, and from her soft, supple throat, she spews at Creon, “If this hurries me to death before my time/ Such a death is gain.” (210). (However, while doing so she writes off the only female remaining in her line.) (honor her male family member), The menacing defiance of Antigone lingers like a wet sliver of wood under a parched nail when she refuses to acknowledge his public shaming of her actions. The burial now serves as a public forum for Antigone to proudly claim Creon’s lack of power over her as a ruler and as a man.

    Read More

  • The Immense Character Development in Antigone by Sophocles

    1542 Words  | 4 Pages

    ..., this sense of arrogance angers Creon to a point beyond belief. Antigone’s refusal to cooperate causes Creon to go mad with irritation and frustration. Wanting to show his sense of power, he refuses to back down in fear of losing his position. His stubbornness grows stronger as Antigone continues to disobey his commands. Antigone’s strong and steady foundation helps her show defiance. She is able to overcome the opinions of the people and commit to helping her brother regardless of the after effects. She ignores what everyone says and does only as she wants. She is powerful, both physically and mentally, and is successful in her tasks. Antigone matures into a commendable and respectable character in which she depicts her rebelliousness and bravery, pride and tolerance, and sense of moral righteousness to demonstrate fundamental character development in the play.

    Read More

  • Antigone As A Feminist Play

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    Feminism is a large issue in present day while it was not such an important idea throughout history. Man was historically stronger, smarter, and more useful than woman. As it turns out, that idea is incorrect although at the time that “Antigone” by Jean Anouilh was written, this idea was widely accepted by both man and woman. The play itself is about breaking what is law to do what is right, but under all of that lies the true theme of man vs. woman. Antigone is set out to see how far a woman can push a man before a war is started.

    Read More

More about Roles of Women in Antigone

Open Document