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 cosmos strong and capable of making wise decisions. In this famous tragedy, Sophocles uses the characters Ismene and Antigone to show the different characteristics and roles that woman are typical of interpreting. Traditionally women are characterized as namby-pamby 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 more perspectives of men at this time. Creon the arrogant and tyrant leader is, the very character that exemplifies this viewpoint. Antigones spirit is filled with bravery, passion and fury which allow her to symbolize the very aggregate of women. She is strong enough to do what her conscious tells her despite the laws of the land. Many examples in 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 compassionate and loves her brother very much. Creon, however, believes that his laws must be upheld and would do anything to stay fresh 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 try to hide that she is responsible for breaking Creons laws, moreover, she takes all the credit. All the while she maintains her strength because she sincerely yours believes in her actions. These sorts of actions ultimately prove that Antigone is courageous and willing to stand up to men, which was completely against the norm at this time. Her spirit refu ses to submit to the role of a confounded 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 image of the viewpoints of the male gender regarding women. She is subordinate and weak-willed. She refuses to stand up to Creon even though in her heart she knows that his laws are morally wrong.