Antigone – The First Feminist Essay

Antigone's representation of feminism broke all the Greece and her strong characteristics defy the inappropriateness of her nature. Antigone has given strong characteristics in her story and because of this she does not stand around while Creon's unjust law insults Polynices. Her boldness, bravery and, unyielding morals are all extremely important to her role in the play. Towards the story by the end, Antigone was punished for her actions; therefore, she was either going to be stoned to death or be locked in a tomb. Between those two choices she got put in a tomb and trapped there with no supplies. The person to do this to her was Creon and his response to this was, “...Take her go, go! You know your orders: take her to the vault and leave her alone there. And if she lives or dies, that’s her affair, not ours: our hands are clean.” (ii, iv, 710) She was buried for doing what was right and what she was obligated to do. She not only prefers this but her bravery, obstinacy and other traits destroy the image of the weak girl who is powerless to everything. Therefore, this is the reason why Antigone represents the epic

In the ancient epic, men believed they were superior to women, and they perceived women are inferior to men. In the story of Antigone, Antigone, is a woman who goes against King Creon. In the beginning of the story, Antigone asks her sister Ismene to bury their brother together, but Ismene says, “You want to bury him? Break the law” (749). And “Remember, we’re women. How can we fight men. They’re stronger. We must accept these things - and worse to come” (Antigone, 749). Ismene does not want to against the law, and she does not want to against the king and the authority. In Ismene’s mind, women can’t against men, and men are superior to women. When Creon finds out someone had buried the body that he did not allow to, he says, “What man would

Sophocles introduces a female character in Antigone who is a strong believer and who demonstrates feminist logic. This is Antigone, as she rejects the traditional role of women. Antigone disobeys her king Creon, in various ways causing her to be portrayed as a feminist. For instance, Antigone struggles trying to secure a

Before Antigone begins, the two brothers of Antigone are engaged in a battle no only of land, but of power. Their deep desires to rule Thebes and male dominating ego, only lead to their deaths; a tragedy that would affect more than just themselves. The battle of glory for men would not be the same for their sisters, but in 442 B.C. as Sophocles illustrates, the living women would have to deal with the tragedies of the dead; a task not easy to be burdened with as woman. Their uncle, Creon, dominates Antigone and her sister Ismene to the extent of mourning their own brother's death. Antigone has chosen a fate without glory: "I'll suffer nothing as great as death without glory," (Antigone line 112). Only a male in this time could die with honor and glory, and just as her uncle has forced a death without glory for her brother, although a glorious death is honorable, she has decided it a better life to die without glory than dishonor her blood and the gods. Ismene does not wish to go against the laws of her uncle, for "women were not born to contend with men," but between the bond of her and Antigone, she will defy the king(line 75). Ismene is just as horrified about the edict as Antigone is, but asks what they--weak women--can do. During this era the women had a specific role, and to defy that role would be horrific enough, despite

In the play Antigone, men view women as a threat to their masculinity and do whatever they have to in order to silence them. However, the women find ways to speak out anyway. Gender has profound affects on the meaning of Antigone's actions. Creon feels the need to defeat Antigone more so because she is a woman. Antigone's rebellion is especially threatening because it upsets gender roles and hierarchy. By refusing to be passive, she overturns one of the fundamental rules of her culture.

Antigone defies the law set by Creon, the King of Thebes. Creon’s decree denies Antigone’s brother, Polyneices, the right to a proper burial which goes against a sacred law in the eyes of the Gods. Antigone’s act of defiance is an example of civil disobedience, which similarly relates to Susan B. Anthony’s actions. Both women are feminist heroes, who are not intimidated by the unjust laws. They fought for what was morally inequitable. Though, the path these two take is strenuous.

In Sophocles’s Antigone, we can see that the deeply misogynistic society of ancient Greece has manifested itself into Creon, a despotic ruler, despising dissidents, traitors, and especially women. His hatred of women manifested into several examples of misogyny throughout the play: He assumed that the criminal who buried Polyneices was a man, he looks down on Antigone’s defiance as improper defiance of a mans order by a woman, and he virtually disowns his son Haemon for disagreeing with him and listening to a woman.

Antigone got out and stood out for what she believed in, Antigone claims “He [Creon] has no right to keep me from my own” which meant she will be burying Polynices despite what law the king has set. Ismene thought otherwise, she says to Antigone, “O think, Antigone; we are women; it is not for us to fight against men; our rulers are stronger than we, and we must obey this […] I can do no other but as I am commanded”. Ismene is characterized as “feminine”, a hopeless and helpless woman that has no business in political authority. Ismenes words did not make Antigone happy, she fights back, “No; then I will not ask for your help, nor would I thank you for it, if you gave it. Go your own way; I will bury my brother; and if I die for it, what happens!”.

This continues to set up the tension between Creon and Antigone because it shows that some of his statements are based off of sexism, not off of rationality--rationality would have been his response if Antigone was a man, but because she is a woman, she is treated differently. This reveals about Antigone’s character that is she not afraid to voice the truth and stand up for her beliefs, regard of the punishments that will follow, which could lead to a tragic ending because of her acceptance of punishment for her supposed crime (honoring her brother with burial

With the strong values Antigone held and her loyalty to her brother, they lead her to behave in an untraditional way by going against the law and orders given by a man.“As long as I live, I will not be ruled by a woman.” (line 525). Creon and Antigone were discussing the burial of Polyneices; Creon did not agree with Antigone that both of her brothers deserved a proper burial. Creon expresses himself with misogynistic language and tried to belittle Antigone to engender her to feel weak, like women were expected to. Refusing to accept that Antigone was right, Creon evaded to show weakness to a woman, in fear of being scrutinized and perceived as less than a man

Sophocles, the author, meticulously developed the theme of gender expectations through Creon. For instance, in the play, Creon was averse towards the thought of Antigone committing the crime: “ But this is Antigone! Why have you brought her here?” (Scene 2, 18). The author shows Creon was surprised towards the action of a female carrying out such a jeopardize crime. Creon’s tone helps the author depict his contemptuous thoughts towards women by questioning Antigone. In addition, Creon is tepid on women’s ideal

In Creon’s case, he is rewarded for speaking his mind, as the chorus shouts with hope upon his arrival, “But look, the king of the realm is coming, Creon, the new man for the new day” (Sophocles 173-174). Yet Antigone is punished and sentenced to death for doing what she believes is right simply because of her role in society as a woman. In addition, Creon epitomizes the role of men in Greek society through his blatant opposition to individualism: “Anarchy - show me a greater crime in all the earth! [...] we must defend the men who live by law, never let some woman triumph over us. Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man - never be rated inferior to a woman, never” (Sophocles 752-761). While the citizens revere Creon for his boldness, Antigone is sentenced to death for standing up for what she believes in, Antigone’s unavoidable fate is the consequence of refusing to fill the gender

In the novel Antigone the main character Antigone takes a reader on a journey of love and hate, honor and disrespect, and a roller coaster ride of emotions. In some parts of the book you feel sympathy for Antigone, but others feel disgusted with her behavior and actions. A reader can empathize with Antigone’s overall response to seeing her traitor brother’s dead body left out for public display however, it is through her actions reader starts to contemplate their sympathies for Antigone. Antigone’s behavior towards Creon, Ismene, and her defiance of the Greek feminine behavior all show that Antigone was a very selfish women. Although I agree with Antigone desire to give her brother a proper burial, I disagree with her treatment of others,

Rather than denying her crime, Antigone accepts her consequences with dignity. However, in the prologue, Antigone unconvincingly tries to get her sister, Ismene, to help. “I do them no dis honour, but to defy the State,-I have no strength for that.” (Sophocles, 443 B.C.E). This words express she is excessively powerless and frightful, making it impossible to resist Creon and his male power.

In Ancient Greece, women were meant to be treated like slaves and men were always meant to boss them around. Antigone proved she was a strong and an independent woman by standing up to Creon for what she did. She says, “I do. I deny nothing.” This proves that Antigone is not ashamed for claiming her guilt to Creon. I feel like Creon should of taken consideration that it was