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
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