womenant Portrayal of Women in Sophocles Antigone :: Antigone essays

Portrayal of Women in Antigone Although ancient Greece was a male-dominate society, Sophocles work Antigone, portrays women as being strong and capable of making wise decisions. In this far-famed tragedy, Sophocles uses the eccentric persons Ismene and Antigone to show the different temperamentistics and occasions that woman ar typical of interpreting. Traditionally women are reference pointized as weak and subordinate and Ismene is portrayed in this way. Through the character of Antigone, women finally get to present realistic viewpoints about their character. The sexist stereotypes presented in this tragedy address m both perspectives of men at this time. Creon the arrogant and autocrat leader is, the very character that exemplifies this viewpoint. Antigones spirit is filled with bravery, passion and passion which allow her to symbolize the very essence of women. She is strong enough to do what her conscious tells her despite the constabularys of the land. Many examples i n the play prove that Antigones character is very capable of making her own decisions in the name of justice. First, Antigone opposes Creons law and buries her slain brother because in her mind it was immoral not to. She does this because she is pity and loves her brother very much. Creon, however, believes that his laws must be upheld and would do anything to prevent any type rebelling. He is even more infuriated when he learns that a woman has broken his laws. He tries to show Antigone whos in charge by sentencing her to a life of imprisonment. Secondly, Antigone shows how determined she is by accepting her consequences with pride. She does not afflict to hide that she is responsible for breaking Creons laws, moreover, she takes all the credit. All the while she maintains her power because she truly believes in her actions. These sorts of actions ultimately prove that Antigone is courageous and willing to stick up up to men, which was completely against the norm at this time. Her spirit refuses to submit to the role of a helpless woman like her sister Ismenes character does. Ismene is a coward and refuses to help her sister because she feared men. This fear propels her to turn her head to the disrespect that is been shown to her brother, Polyneices. Her character is a close representation of the viewpoints of the male gender regarding women. She is subordinate and weak-willed. She refuses to offer up to Creon even though in her heart she knows that his laws are virtuously wrong.