Similarities Between Antigone And A Streetcar Named Desire

In the play, “Antigone” by Sophocles, and the play, A Streetcar Named Desire”, by Tennessee Williams, there is a direct connection between these two playwrights which can be recognized by an analytical reader. These playwrights are connected through the words of the characters they placed in their plays. Each of the characters had a specific role in conveying the theme of their plays. Another point which helps illustrate the connection between the two playwrights Sophocles and Tennessee Williams is that the ideas they present in their play are similar to each other.

One theme that is recognized in both of the plays “Antigone” by Sophocles and A Streetcar named Desire by Tennessee Williams is sexism. In both these plays the premise of gender inequality is questions. In the play, “Antigone”, by Sophocles, sexism is shown in an overt manner when Antigone breaks King Creon’s rule and she openly admits to disobeying him. In lines 70-73, Ismene says, You ought to realize we are only women, not meant in nature to fight agains men, and that we are ruled by those who are stronger. (Booth Mays 1131-1132) This line was stated by Ismene when Antigone was trying to convince her to go with her and disobey her uncle King Creon’s decree. This line was crucial in helping represent the

theme of sexism because it showed how inferior women were to men in this time period. The mere idea of going against the rules as a woman was impossible to even imagine. Antigone’s action of disobeying the kingdom's rule had double the severity in its consequences not only because she was a woman but also because she was a member of the royal family. When a member of the royal family doesn't comply with the rules that his/her family created, it sets forth a bad precedent and makes it seem like the rules are not important enough to be followed. This is why her consequences would be doubling in severity. Another example in which sexism is shown in this play is when Creon says in lines to his son Haemon, we cannot give victory to a woman. If we must accept defeat, let it be from a man; we must not let people say that a woman beat us. (Booth Mays 1147)

In this line, Creon is portraying the theme of admitting he lost as long as he lost to a man.

This implies that losing to a woman or letting women be superior in any sort of way seems atrocious in this time period. Sexism in this play helps show the morals and values of the people who lived in Sophocles time period. When Sophocles wrote, this play he was expressing his internal thoughts and beliefs. He questioned authority, delved into the concept of morality, tried to prove that moral law is as important as social law. Sophocles’ question of authority is represented by Antigone as she blatantly disregards the civil law and goes forward to defend moral laws despite the circumstances she has to

face.

The theme of sexism is also present in the play, “A Streetcar Named Desire”, by Tennessee Williams, through the words that are stated by the characters. In this play, the women are treated badly. Examples of where this situation becomes real in the play is when Stella gets hit by Stanley, Stanley’s abusive behavior towards both Blanche and Stella, Stanley raping Blanche, and multiple other instances. Stella’s role in William’s play is to be a representation of the inferiority of women and their dependence on men during this time period. This statement is proven in the play in scene one where the interaction between Stanley is first shown. In scene one, Stanley yells at Stella “Hey there! Stella, baby! Catch! Meat! (Booth, Mays 1166)

When these lines are being stated it shows the values in the relationship of a married couple during the time period in which this takes place. The women were expected to stay home and cook food while the men went out and did whatever they wanted and came back home to an exquisite meal and were treated like kings. Another example of how sexism is shown through mistreating women was shown in scene 3, when the stage directions says, sounds of blows are heard. The water foes on full tilt (Booth, Mays 1191). In this scene, Stanley hits Stella in a room full of his friends. This shows that he thought that it was okay to hit his wife in a room full of his friends without facing any dire consequences. In scene 4 when Blanche was asking her sister, Stella, who she hasn't left Stanley yet for hitting her, Stella says, Stanley’s always smashed things. Why, on our wedding night-soon as we came in here he snatched off one of my slippers and rushed about the place smashing light bulbs with it. (Booth, Mays 1194) This shows how Stella represents the inferiority of women in this time period and they dependency on men. Stella has every right to leave Stanley after the way he treated her yet she still stays with him because she considers his behavior normal and she accepts it. During the time period in which this play was written, women still didn’t have much of a say in anything. Women were usually mistreated and it completely fine in the eyes of society because it was seen as an accepted form of behavior. Tennessee Williams was a homosexual trapped in a time period in which people did not accept his sexual orientation so he had to keep it a secret. Keeping his true identity hurt him so psychologically. He conveyed his feelings through the characters he placed in his play in order to find some kind of output. His play represented the time period in which he was living which is crucial for the reader to understand the story in depth.

While these plays are being read analytically, a reader would notice Ismene and Stella both have s couple of characteristics in common. One characteristic that both Ismene and Stella have in common is that they both prioritize Civil law over moral law. This was shown in the play Antigone by Sophocles in lines 70-73 when Ismene tells Antigone “you ought to realize we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men and that we are ruled by those who are stronger to obedience in this and even more painful matters (Booth, Mays 1131-1132).This statement made by Ismene shows that she has accepted the fact that she can’t do anything to avenge the wrongful desecration of her brother’s body because she fears the rule of her uncle the king. This was also shown when she says “Yes you are Blanche. I know how it must have seemed to you and im awful sorry it had to happen, but it wasn't anything as serious as you seem to take it. In the first place, when men are drinking and playing poker anything can happen. Its always a powder-keg. He didn’t know what he was doing…he was as good as a lamb when i came back and he's really very, very ashamed of himself” (Booth, Mays 1194). At the time period in which Stella is living in, it wasn't very rare seeing a husband hit his wife. It was okay at this time in history because women didn't really have any real rights which protected them. Stella looked past her own moral values which would clearly indicate to her that she isn't supposed to be with him. She could be with someone who treats her better, but she decided to let it go. This is how Ismene and Stella have something in common.

A similarity that connects both Sophocles and Tennessee Williams is that they both portray a certain time period with main characters who rebel against the rules that people normally follow. Another similarity that connects these playwrights is the fact that they both use their plays to convey a message to readers and viewers. The third similarity is that they have the characters in their plays have very similar characteristics. The last similarity that they have in common is that why both have the theme sexism existing in both of their plays. This is how the playwrights Sophocles and Tennessee Williams are similar to each other throughout.