Sexism In Antigone

Antigone, a complex character indeed-- many have described her as fiercely brave, tragic heroine, or even, a model of strength for women. Although the events of Antigone do lend easily to these characterizations of Antigone, it is also apparently clear that she possessed self-interested motives behind the burial of her brother, Polynices. She sought glory and honor for her actions, rather than having mere satisfaction from the actions themselves. Throughout the play, Antigone displays a sense of hubris regarding her brave and heroic sacrifice for her brother—the hubris is exacerbated with the repetitive diction, especially the words ‘glory’ and ‘honor’ and Antigone’s constant desperation for the world to know about what she has done.

Sophocles play “Antigone” introduces a lot of debatable topics such as Human law vs Divine laws, pride, but most importantly the topic of woman’s movement for empowerment. Long before 442 B.C.E, women were belittled because of their gender however, after the birth of “Antigone” it demonstrated a strong outreach towards women and their roles in society ”Antigone, a woman who defines King Creon’s edict without any fear, doubts, or regrets. This courageous woman, the fruit of incest, has fascinated philosophers in the nineteenth century, inspired playwrights in the twentieth century, and intrigued feminist thinkers and activists for decades” (Söderbäck). Birth from a respected bloodline, Antigone doesn’t feel respected at all within her town, especially from her uncle Creon who became entitled as the King after Antigone’s blood

Antigone is the daughter Of Oedipus Rex, the old king. There are ways in this story that antigone is determined and also stubborn. Basically Antigone had a brother name Polynices and a brother named Eurydice and and Polynices died while fight his brother and at that time there was a king named Creon, he did not like Polynices but he did like Eurydice, so then Creon had a burial for Eurydice but not for Polynices, therefore he could not go to Heaven, so now creon made a law that said that no one could bury Polynices. When Antigone heard this she was disgusted therefore she said that she must bury her brother.

Antigone killed herself and her fiance, Haimon, tried to kill his dad, Creon. Haimon died by accidentally stabbing himself. Creon was the last person in the family alive and the play foreshadows his suicide due to the loss of his family. In the play, there is an epic hero.

Him putting Antigone to death because she went against his power clearly shows his feminism towards women. This also shows that all males had full power over society, economy, and women, which isn’t fair. Antigone displays her feminist qualities when she goes against the most powerful male, the king Creon. Her going against him shows her disrespect for Creon, her doing this and speaking like a male figure shows her push for equality between the sexes. Antigone throughout the whole play pushed for equality but she never seemed to get what she wants.

The play Antigone by Sophocles is a famous Greek tragedy that has intrigued many audiences alike for many centuries. This play dives into the themes of family loyalty, fate, and individual conscience. In this play, we witness the tragic consequences of a young woman’s decision to pursue justice and defy authority. Sophocles’ Antigone is a heroine like no other.

Antigone is an upstander for her ability to say things without feeling fear or guilt. And when she’s got her mind on something, she will risk everything to have the right thing be done. For example,

Just as in King’s time where African-Americans struggle with gaining any say or power just because of the color of their skin, Antigone and other women in their own time battle social customs that assume women are the weaker gender compared to men. These men hold all the political offices, and therefore create the laws. Despite being a member of a royal family, Antigone has no real power over

During times of crisis, women have been marginalized continuously, and although many would like to think so, conditions for women have not changed much over time. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak both reflect that. Women in literature and in real life who deserve lead roles are often forced into supporting roles. Most people understand this but few acknowledge it. Strong female characters such as Liesel in The Book Thief, Penelope in The Odyssey, and Antigone in Antigone need to be honored the same way strong male characters are.

But Antigone did so anyways knowing the consequences were going to be brutal. This is significant because the sacrificial death of Antigone, who challenged a male counterpart is basically inevitable. This play challenged the beliefs of women during that day and age, giving them the power to criticize and proceed against an opposing male force. Without the sacrificial death, Antigone would only consist of the overpowering actions of King Creon. Her decisions and actions on challenging him was one of the main themes of the play.

It is well known that for much of history, females have been largely oppressed and given few rights, unlike the male gender. Traditionally, a women’s role in society was to be a submissive housewife and to raise children. In Sophocles’ play, Antigone, a young woman goes against the law to give her dead brother a proper burial, defying the typical role expected of a female during this time period. Antigone can be seen as a role model for women because she knows her own mind, stands up to her uncle, and sacrifices herself for someone she loves. Women during this time period were expected to listen to the men in society and follow their rules.

Gender roles play a significant part through ought the play Antigone due to the fact that men are treated on a higher scale than women. Sophocles portrays women as people with no rights nor freedom. Antigone is on a destiny for burial rights of her brother Polyneicis. Gender roles are expressed throughout the play Antigone by disrespecting women and men having power and freedom.

In the Iliad, there are continuous examples of women being treated as an object or being treated materialistically. Women are treated as they are inferior to the men and the gods. The dictionary definition of being sexist or sexism is; prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Essentially women are shown to have no power in the Iliad due to the dominance of the men and gods. The book is centrally based upon male dominance, and on how the women are constantly put down by the gods or overruled by them.

Antigone’s actions are motivated by her allegiance to her family, moral conscience, and religion amid Creon’s political injustice and tyranny. Antigone’s actions motivate her to demand Ismene to prove whether she is “a true sister or a traitor to your family” (26-27). Antigone maintains loyalty to her brother despite his actions which threatened Thebes. Her inability to bear the thought of her brother’s corpse being picked apart by animals and not being honored with proper funeral rites forces her to act. Antigone’s fierce allegiance to her family is laid bare as she is willing to sacrifice her life to honor her brother and defy the law in an act that she believes is morally just.

and they weren’t equal to men, Antigone would be seen as a play where a woman went against a man’s power and got what she deserved in the end. It would also offend them in a way because they're so custom to women following men’s orders that it will disrespect their