Gender Roles In Antigone

Male-dominated societies have existed for ages especially during the time of Ancient Greece. Sophocles’ work Antigone illustrates women in a more capable and strong manner with the ability of making wise, and often more moral, decisions. Antigone is the main character who breaks the stereotypes of weak and subordinate positions in society. Antigone is willing to sacrifice her own life rebelling against the patriarchal society in which she is captive to provide a proper burial for her brother. The clash between Antigone and Creon, King of Thebes, symbolizes the struggle between men and women. Antigone’s role as a woman affects the play by not only representing feminism but by upsetting gender roles and the hierarchy of ancient society. The

Antigone’s ethic values clash with Creon’s patriotic values at this point and creates the struggle between the genders. Antigone says, “These laws—I was not about to break them, not out of fear of some man’s wounded pride, and face the retribution of the gods. Die I must…” (509-512). She acts on compassion and morals for her brother rather than out of fear of a man. Antigone is willing to die by the gods if she must, although she believes that they shall hold her in high reverence for her actions. She goes on to say that, “And if I am to die before my time I consider that a gain” (514-515). Antigone considers her possible death to be a gain and point out Creon’s flaw; “And if my present actions strike you as foolish, let’s just say I’ve been accused of folly by a fool. (523-525)” Creon fits the role of the man in this struggle by being a tragic

Creon is seen as a noble figure (King of Thebes) and abuses his power over the people and his tragic flaw (killing Antigone) causes him to anger the Gods who in turn punish him (Haemon, his son and future husband of Antigone dies) after realizing his mistakes too late. Antigone is the perfect complement to this struggle between genders as she expresses the very essence of a woman. She is filled with passion, fury, and bravery. Antigone acts upon her ethics rather than the rules of society. Her last words portray her feelings for specifically men of Creon’s type; “I alone, see what I suffer now at the hands of what breed of men—all for reverence, my reverence for the god!” (1032-1034) Antigone recognizes his unjust law and sacrifices her life to correct it and believes that the gods will be on her side. Antigone’s intrepid actions affect how the play represents gender struggle and