Women In Sophocles Antigone

In ancient Greece it was a male dominating society filled with the most notable Roman Empire known for their fearless warriors and political structure. All of which men were praised for but in Sophocles’ Antigone this story portrays women as a strong individual and gives a different perspective of what women are capable of. In traditional standards in ancient Greece women were known as today’s modern day house-wife and were characterized as fragile and weak-minded but in Sophocles’ story he shows different characteristics and roles that woman are normally represented as in the characters Antigone and Ismene. But with this there’s always a counter balance which the other individual characters known as Creon, Haemon, and the chorus play a part

Creon was a major focus of stereotyping, he was self-righteous and a stern leader with many attributes. When it came to the punishment of Antigone and Ismene’s brothers he was head-strong and ruthless about the situation only thinking of his own opinion. Antigone displayed aspects of a passionate and brave women that was strong enough to do what her instincts told her and not abide to Creon’s ruling this came known when she talked to Ismene “That is what, they say, the worthy Creon has proclaimed for you and me-for me, I tell you-and he comes here to clarify to the unknowing his proclamation; he takes it seriously,” (1566). Creon in the beginning wanted to give Antigone the benefit of doubt since she was his niece then he came to terms within his ego to begin stereotyping Antigone with where a woman should be and how no man or women would try to defy him “Go then to the world below, yourself, if you must love. Love them. When I am alive no women shall rule” (1578). Creon seemed more outraged that a women has defied him even trying to make Antigone ashamed of her decision and remorseful “Are you not ashamed to think so differently from them?” Creon whole approach to the situation seemed he was more superior to Antigone since he was a man and also the king he expected her to gravel and not be strong

Sophocles did a good job on how different influences can change someone mindset and beliefs on a situation. The chorus seemed like they agreed with Creon in the begging only following what he says and giving more justification on his actions and decisions especially in Antigone’s case. They mainly were a boost of Creon’s ego and saying how wonderful men are in the beginning of the play stating things such as “Many are the wonders none is more wonderful than what is man” (1574). Also giving bashful remarks on Antigone and her actions “The savage spirit of a savage father shows itself in this girl. She does not know how to yield to trouble” (1577). Until Antigone asserts to everyone during her sentence her feelings “All that are here would surely say that’s true, if fear did not lock their tongues up” (1578) giving the chorus different thoughts of the situation. In Haemon’s case he mainly was Creon’s son who always followed his rule and never defied it until his love for Antigone changes his perspective making him call his father out in what’s just and what’s unjust only based on the fact of love and nothing completely understand the full reason why Antigone decided to bury her brother or why Creon made that decision of not giving Antigone’s brother a proper burial. Haemon also made remarks about how “godly” men are and how their sense is the best “The