Women have always been inferior to men. In one of Sopholes" most popular plays, Antigone, the female heroine, Antigone, suffers this unfortunate conception. In the play, she is a strong willed, determined woman who chose to stand up for her beliefs and whom challenges the most powerful man in this male dominated society. Creon, Antigone's uncle and king of Thebes holds absolute control over the laws of the state, and consequently, the lives of the people who live on that land. However, Antigone was not intimidated by all the power her uncle possessed, and instead opted to disobey him. After deliberate orders to leave Antigone's brother Polynices" dead body to rot for the wild beasts to feed on, she went on to give her brother a proper burial. Antigone describes the difficulties, challenges, and consequences that women had to face up with in the ancient Greek society.
To upset the hierarchy was utterly horrible, but for a women to disobey, that was unheard of. "What man alive would dare-- ?" In Ancient Greece, freedom and rules were structured and very strict. Antigone, being her own free spirit, could not stick to these limits. Her rebellion against the male theocracy became all the more pressing because of her gender. Says Creon:.
We must defend the men who live by law, .
Never let some woman triumph over us. (757-756).
Creon's desire to triumph over Antigone is brought about by his pride. Being defeated by a woman is unthinkable and would give him utmost embarrassment.
On the other hand, the argument that transpired between Antigone and Ismene provides a contrast of what the typical female was as compared to Antigone. Ismene, powerless and submissive, provides a stark contrast to her strong and aggressive sister. Although Polynices" dead, rotting corpse is something Ismene was saddened by, she doesn"t do anything physical, and accepts King Creon's decision. Says Ismene:.
I"d do them (Ismene's deceased family) no dishonor .
This type of conflict is shown in Antigone an helps present the character traits of the antagonist, Antigone. ... Antigone was also very strong minded. ... Antigone was also very strong willed. ... Antigone chooses to defy this law. ... Antigone believes that Ismene is a coward while Ismene believes that Antigone is foolish. ...
Antigone stands poised at the river separating herself from civil disobedience. ... Antigone's unrepressed emotions give voice to her dissatisfaction with Creon's dictum. ... Antigone's morals render her unable to see her tragic flaw. ... Antigone impels Creon by defying his order, and seals the fate of her life. ... Antigone's convictions bear a burden on her that she is not strong enough to lift. ...
In the play, "Antigone," the main character Antigone goes against all authority in an effort to give her brother, Polynices, a proper burial. ... Antigone has no respect for authority. ... Antigone also claims, "What Creon says is quite irrelevant" ( ln 4). Thus, Antigone does not respect government or Creon as a sovereign. ... "We can't live by Antigone's alone, but if we have no Antigones within us we are spiritually barren" (Cornell). ...
Later in the act, the Sentry enters again, this time with Antigone. ... Creon asks Antigone if this is true. ... Creon aims to justify his decision to let Antigone's dead brother rot. He also wishes to validate his choice to punish Antigone. ... I believe Antigone's act was morally correct. ...
Pride is part of what makes Antigone heroic. ... This is between Antigone and Polyneices. ... Antigone doesn't mind doing anything on her own. ... Antigone has no problem working by her self either. ... I think Creon feels he must defeat Antigone because she is a woman. ...
In Antigone, by Sophocles, Antigone is the tragic hero of the play, rather than Creon. ... Sophocles wants us to see Antigone as the tragic figure. ... He can either kill Antigone, or spare her life. ... Antigone is in a different position. ... Antigone chooses wisely in defying the law. ...
However, in the play Antigone, Antigone goes against the beliefs and defies the powerful tradition of male domination. In the play, Antigone's life was filled with pain and sorrow. ... Even after all of this, Antigone had even more pain to deal with. ... Antigone didn't fear death, but instead faced it with great bravery and strength. ... That is why Antigone is such an influential character in the play. ...
The Antigone Essay Through "Antigone", the play, Sophocles lets it be known that family is more important than authority. ... Antigone felt awful that Creon was doing such a wrong thing. ... Antigone took a moral stand and buried Polyneices. ... Antigone was Haemon's true love. Haemon committed suicide once he lost Antigone. ...
Antigone is not from a normal family. Her family feels very strong in what they believe in. Especially Antigone and Creon. Antigone did things that other people wouldn't normally do. Some people wouldn't defy authority to do what they believe is right. Creon did things that people wouldn't do. I thi...
Bigger than her body Antigone was right, yet so was Creon. ... However Antigone defied the king. ... The gods sided with Antigone. ... Creon is protagonist against Antigone, who is the antagonist; at the same time, Antigone is the protagonist with Creon as her antagonist. Antigone's actions were justified by divine law. ...