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Antigone and the patriarchy
Feminism in ancient Greece
Feminism in ancient Greece
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All women in the world face the same problem: lack of equality to men. Society makes people believe that men are physically stronger and more capable of leading a family, hence, society makes people believe that men are more superior to women. In the Ancient Greek tragedy, Antigone, the author, Sophocles, illustrates how society makes women feel inferior to men by Ismene’s actions. While Ismene’s sister Antigone wants Ismene to stand up against Creon’s edict with her, Ismene replies “We are only women, we cannot fight with men, Antigone!” (191). Ismene thinks that she will not be able to stand up against the Athenian government,which is ruled by men, because they are more powerful than women, she and Antigone have no chance against them. A
A young girl named Paikea once said, “In the old days, the land felt a great emptiness. It was waiting. Waiting to be filled. Waiting for someone to love it. Waiting for a leader” (Whale Rider). As seen in the eyes of Paikea, from the movie Whale Rider, a leader is a guide, someone who guides his or her people in the right directions, someone who does all he or she can do to improve his or her land. In the eyes of Antigone, from the play Antigone, princess of Thebes, the rules of the leader only seem right when she feels they don’t contradict with the rules of the gods. As she states in this quote: “It is the dead, Not the living, who make the longest demands: We die forever. . . .You may do as you like, since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you” (Sophocles 58-60). Conversely, Paikea believes that she’s different, and that the rule of the gods is different for her. Although these characters display similarities by being defiant figures, the Greek tradition in which Antigone believes in, and the New Zealander’s tradition in which Paikea follows, differs significantly by beliefs. However, their culture’s discrimination towards women seems to be comparable. While the views on tradition, gender, and defiance are similar for Paikea and Antigone, the differences amongst them are striking.
Women had very few rights, they lived as prisoners, serving men 24 hours a day. Women were sheltered from society, restricted to their husbands and their husbands houses, crying out for help and justice but there is no one to there to hear their screams. In the play Antigone when the title character had to sneak out of the house to meet up with Ismene. Ancient Greek men ruled a lot like over protective fathers with teenage daughters. Men were also scared of women gaining confidence and begin thinking on their own or worse taking action or speaking out against men, like in the play Antigone where Antigone confronts Creon by burying Polyneices after Creon strictly stated that no one bury him. If someone were to bury him, the whole Polis would stone them to death. When Creon found out that someone buried Polyneices, he did not even consider that it could have been a women that did it.
“Remember we are women, we’re not born to contend with men” (Sophocles, 18). The popular literary works, Antigone and A Doll’s House, written by Sophocles and Ibsen, are two famous tragedies that have been performed and read throughout the decades. Although countless audiences have been entertained by these well written plays, few would care to guess that many lessons and several unfortunate truths can be found with a less than tedious inspection of the characters and the reactions they give to their circumstances. The two main characters in these stories, Antigone and Nora, face adversities and problems that are amplified by their society’s views on the rights and abilities of women. The two main male characters in these plays, Creon and Helmer, cause the greater part of the struggle that the female protagonists face. The difficulties that Helmer and Creon create during the plot of these stories are the cause of three major characteristics of what one would consider typical to a headstrong man in a leadership position. The three features of Creon and Helmer that lead to the eventual downfall of Antigone and Nora, are pride, arrogance, and ignorance.
Though some view it as something that is concrete and cannot be changed, gender is an idea of how each human perceives themselves. Gender is nothing but a concept that is very fluid and can change throughout each generation. Unfortunately, though there is potential for change, human kind has barely made the effort to do so until recent years (barely) and continues to pretend as though these views of the sexes are set in stone. There is still this idea remaining that men should be the “ideal citizen” that brings honor, and that women should be meek and seen not heard. When comparing the views of these gender roles Christine de Pizan and Thucydides (through the voice of Pericles) have differing yet similar views on what is considered to be the
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?
Nearly every society, Nora and Antigone's are no exception, dictates a specific place or purpose for women, and while Nora and Antigone's respective societies possess some similarities regarding women's place and purpose, they contain several important differences. In Antigone, for example, the relative worth and status of women in Thebian society seems clear; women are to submit to the rule of man. Ismene suggests this submissive attribute of women in Thebian society when she begs Antigone not to defy Creon's commands, "Remind ourselves that we are women and as such are not made to fight with men." (193) Evidently the Thebian society controlled by men has kept a lid on women's individuality so much so that even a member of the royal family, Ismene, speaks of the futility in attempting to clash with the rule of man. Furthermore, Creon asks Antigone if she is "ashamed to differ from such men [the Chorus]?" (212) This suggests that in Thebian society w...
Gender roles have always had a major impact on society. For males, it is more acceptable to do what one wants without being judged, but for females, society will always try to find something to criticize. For many years, women have fought to obtain civil rights, a fight that continues even today. The roles of women have been reflected on within literature and may be used to show the evolution of the rights -- as well as roles -- of women throughout history. Told through the character Jocasta, an Ancient Greek tragedy called, “Oedipus the King”, was written in the year 430 B.C. when the author Sophocles generated a counterpart to Oedipus, using her to reveal the oppression of women by telling of a conflict in her relationship with Oedipus,
Although ancient Greece was a male-dominate society, Sophocles' work Antigone, portrays women as being strong and capable of making wise decisions. In this famous tragedy, Sophocles uses the characters Ismene and Antigone to show the different characteristics and roles that woman are typical of interpreting. Traditionally women are characterized as weak and subordinate and Ismene is portrayed in this way. Through the character of Antigone, women finally get to present realistic viewpoints about their character.
As we know and have learned over the number of chapters, in the early history women were seen as inferior to men for the most part. Men in the early history in almost all societies were the ones with the power and say so throughout the societies. Gender inequality shows a major presents within these early societies because that is how these societies were shaped to be. Even though these societies were shaped around gender inequality it was something that had an impact on many especially the women of these times. Because not only were women always given the short end of the stick but many felt as if they were just as capable of doing exactly what the men did. And in fact many women did whatever possible within their power to be the best they
between her duty to God and her duty to the State, Ismene, in the third
in a patriarchal society, women lie at the bottom of the social hierarchy. A patriarchy judges women for their beauty and innocence rather than merit and intelligence. Throughout the twenty-four books of The Odyssey as well as Game of Thrones, a modern day rendition of medieval society written by George. R. R. Martin, women struggle for power in society. In these societies, in order to be accepted and respected, women need to submit to society.
The women in Othello are synonymous with Venetian societal standards. Only three women are characters in Othello: Desdemona, Emilia and Bianca but the roles these women play give the reader an idea of how women were portrayed, not only in Shakespeare's Othello but in society in general.
It’s often said that one should let their heart control their actions, rather than let their mind ruin what they truly want. This struggle on whether to follow your conscience or to side with the demands of the authority is presented in Sophocles's Antigone. The two main female characters in this tragedy, Antigone and Ismene are shown in different lights: Antigone is presented as a brave woman who dared to disobey the king; Ismene, is simply just the frail sister of Antigone. Their lifestyle, personality, and moral compass influence their actions throughout the tragedy. Antigone and Ismene show great contrast from each other but their morality determines the fate of their lives. Through analyzing these two female characters, it can be seen
“So it is naturally with the male and the female; the one is superior, the other inferior; the one governs, the other is governed; and the same rule must necessarily hold good with respect to all mankind.” This quote, spoken by the famous Aristotle, proves to be timeless. The words express knowledge concerning gender that proves to be centuries ahead of its time. Aristotle however, may not have even realized the amount of truth expressed in these few, simple words. Men are commonly thought of as the dominant of the two sexes, but as we have seen through many of the literary works studied, this is most certainly not the case. In dealing with books such as Macbeth written by William Shakespeare and The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammet, it becomes clear that this quote holds true in a much different way than originally intended. In both of these novels the women involved are anything but the innocent bystanders, but rather the manipulator and catalyst behind the scenes. Out of these two books, two strong and memorable female personas arise, that of Lady Macbeth, as well as that of Brigid O’Shaughnessy. Through both Macbeth as well as The Maltese Falcon women are portrayed in a rather manipulating manner, symbolic of both evil as well as deception.
Women have been treated as less then men since the beginning of civilization. Men were the providers, and women have always been their prizes. This is demonstrated repeatedly throughout history, but is particularly noticeable in the Iliad. The few times that the narration mentions women, it is to report them as a mans prize for something, thus depicting them as objects to be used at the mercy of men. This phenomenon of subjugating and objectifying women continues to haunt society today by placing women into inferior and sometimes demeaning roles. While women have gained some autonomy through feminist movements, society continues to show a resemblance to the past.