ANTIGONE
1
Antigone
ANTIGONE
The disparity between genders plays a large role in Antigone by Sophocles
because it shows the direct and unfair affect towards the women of this time. In Antigone,
the story tells of the many results that occur when a woman challenges a King’s law and
power. The male and female characters are judged by and are expected to follow the
established stereotypes of the sexes that existed in Ancient Greece. Women were seen as
meek, allowed limited opinions of their own and must abide by the rules of men, most
importantly, their leaders. The one woman that goes against the norm is Antigone. She
has a fierce sense of right and wrong and does what she feels is right no matter the
consequences. The men create and enforce all of the laws, are exuberant and boisterous
and as a result of these traits, are viewed as dominant leaders. Men will use these
powers in order to assert their dominance over women. During this time of Ancient
Greece, women are trained from birth to obey a man’s rules and commands.
A conversation between sisters, Ismene and Antigone about the burial of one of
two dead brothers shows the mindset of women during this time. Antigone wishes to defy
King Creon who left her brother, Polyneices, out in the elements to be picked clean by
the birds. Antigone wants him buried granted by his birth rite though Creon has deemed
him a traitor. Ismene said to Antigone, “Nay, we must remember, first, that we were
born women, as who should not strive with men; next, that we are ruled of the stronger,
so that we must obey in these things, and in things yet sorer” (Sophocles, 442 B.C.E).
The female gender role is predetermined, and it is understood that a woman shouldn’t be
acting or wanting to be like a man. The man, who is the stronger sex, is to be served and
obeyed by the woman in all aspects of life. This example shows the perspective of the
2
ANTIGONE
female role is to be submissive, but there is also the perspective of the dominance of the
male role as well.
A perspective from a man’s point of view about how women are to behave is
explained by Creon when he is speaking to his son, Haemon, about his woman, his
betrothed Antigone. Creon said to Haemon, “Better to fall from power, if we must, by a
man's hand; then we should not be called weaker than a woman” (Sophocles, 442 B.C.E).
It is interesting to see how it would be more acceptable for a King to be removed of his
power by death than to be seen by others as being weaker than any woman. Men view
themselves as being more important and stronger than women. Even the thought of being
weaker than a woman would be the worst thing to happen to a man. A man who is
defeated by another man is more acceptable than being defeated by a woman; a woman is
clearly the weaker sex. The conversation does continue between father and son, when
Creon said to Haemon, “Your pleasure with her would soon, grow cold, Haemon, and
then you’d have a hellcat in bed and elsewhere. Let her find her husband in Hell!"
(Sophocles, 442 B.C.E). Since Antigone is headstrong and will not back down from
Creon, she is seen as defiant, a hellcat. Women during this era would never disobey a
King, but because she had properly buried her brother, she is seen as someone who is
disobedient. She does not deserve his son but once she is punished by death she should
find her husband in Hell. Not every man including Haemon feels the same way as Creon.
They feel that Polyneices deserves a proper burial. Haemon is now seen as someone on
the woman’s side, his Antigone.
This different male perspective that is seen from Haemon shows Creon that he
is on the side of Antigone, how a woman’s opinion can be considered and not the
3
ANTIGONE
accepted position of standing with his father. This is seen when Creon said to Haemon,
“This boy, it seems, is the woman's champion” (Sophocles, 442 B.C.E). Also, when
Creon said to Haemon, “Thou woman's slave, use not wheedling speech with me,”
(Sophocles, 442 B.C.E) this proves that Creon doesn’t want to have conversations with
Haemon because of his allegiance to Antigone and is defying his decision. Haemon is
clearly on her side, and Creon is not happy with this turn of events. Creon wants Haemon
to give her up and stand with him for she is just a woman, and she has defied his laws and
should be punished. Creon feels she is the enemy and deserves to die. Creon’s extreme
behavior, which is typical of a male leader of this time for not burying Antigone’s brother
in the proper manner, is addressed by the blind prophet Teiresias who is held in high
esteem.
When Teiresias spoke to Creon, he said, “Such arrows for thy heart-since thou
provokest me-have I launched at thee, archer-like, in my anger,-sure arrows, of which
thou shalt not escape the smart.-Boy, lead me home, that he may spend his rage on
younger men, and learn to keep a tongue more temperate, and to bear within his breast a
better mind than now he bears” (Sophocles, 442 B.C.E). Creon’s typical male
personality of being loud and using cutting words and actions is buried deep inside his
makeup. Teiresias sees Creon as being someone that needs to take a step back to reevaluate his actions before he proceeds to do the unmentionable to Antigone. He sees
Creon as someone that needs to hold back his emotions and rule as a smart leader and not
a reactionary one. There are, of course, other perspectives on the male gender role,
especially coming from Antigone toward Creon.
4
ANTIGONE
One interesting perspective is how Antigone sees Creon to be foolish in his
actions even though her own are seen defiantly foolish by him. When Antigone said to
Creon, “And if my present deeds are foolish in thy sight, it may be that a foolish judge
arraigns my folly (Sophocles, 442 B.C.E). Even though Creon may see her actions as
very foolish, what is even more foolish is the self-effacing way Creon is handling her
actions. As Teiresias said previously, he needs to think about what he is doing and not
make rash decisions based on emotions alone. Another example of how Creon is being
seen by others is when the Leader speaks to Creon, “Yea, King, and with all speed; for
swift harms from the gods cut short the folly of men” (Sophocles, 442 B.C.E). The gods
can stop and punish the foolish nature of men, and Creon should be wise enough to see
this is an action that is inevitable.
The genders of the play Antigone consist of very distinct roles for men and
women. The female characters were based on compassion and grace and therefore seen
as weak, while the male roles consisted of men to be dominant as their birthright.
Antigone was seen as a woman passionate for family, devoted and the proper treatment
of all people. The men had only respect for the laws they created and to follow them with
no compassion for anyone no matter what the circumstances. This is what led to Creon’s
downfall and heartbreak in the end.
The paper shows that you understand the points of view of the various characters. Use the
introduction to establish the basis for the paper’s argument.
5
ANTIGONE
Reference
Sophocles. (442 B.C.E). Antigone. (R.C. Jebb, Trans.) Retrieved from
http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/antigone.html
6
Purchase answer to see full
attachment