Antigone Feminist Analysis

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Karen Hawkins once stated, “I’ve often thought it unfair that women are expected to stay at home when there’s a fight to be won. If a woman has the strength to bear a child, she can swing a sword as well as any man.” Women have the power to persuade and support a cause they believe in, despite men being supposedly stronger. This holds true in Sophocles’ play Antigone, in which the title character is not afraid to stand up for her beliefs during a time where women were mostly ignored. Antigone contradicts the stance that literary critics hold on classic literature; given the unique characterization of Antigone that is unusual for her time. Her portrayal as a feminist figure, her static character, and the opposing views of Antigone and Creon show that Antigone promotes awareness of feminism. …show more content…

In Antigone’s case, she vies for the proper burial of her brother Polyneices, even though he betrays his city. She is not afraid of the consequences of her actions and is even willing to die for them: ANTIGONE I would not urge you now; nor if you wanted to act would I be glad to have you with me. Be as you choose to be; but for myself I myself will bury him. It will be good to die, so doing, I shall lie by his side, loving him as he loved me. (Sophocles 79-85) (Analysis: ) Antigone remains a static character throughout the play, showing that her standpoint will not be influenced by the oppression put on her by men. In the beginning of the play, she is determined to treat her brother respectfully and give him his proper

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