Antigone Research Paper

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Depiction of Women In Sophocle's Antigone Sophocle's Antigone draws a comparison between the way women were perceived in ancient Greek society and the way his main character, Antigone departed from the established perception. In ancient Greek society, men were believed to be the primary authority and women as their subordinates. This is also noteworthy that the word "patriarchy", itself is a Greek word. Sophocle, in Antigone has tried to break all conventions with the portrayal of Antigone as a rebel and hero in his play. There are three women characters in this play: Antigone, her sister, Ismene and her fiancé's mother, Eurydice. Where Ismene and Eurydice, are the examples of the typical contemporary portrayal of women, Antigone is paradoxical…show more content…
Since they Who rule us now are stronger far than we, In this and worse than this we must obey them." These lines by Ismene are perfect illustration as to what were expected traits in a women and even that they themselves think low of themselves. Undoubtedly, Antigone was an exception. As Ismene's denial did not affected her and she was resolute to bury her brother with proper rites. She even was successful in pouring sand and thus covering his body. Another example of women's perception, were found when the guard went to Creon to inform him about the attempt. "Creon: What? Buried it? What man has so defied me? Guard: We had not done it, nor had secret knowledge Of any man who did it or contrived it. Creon: You judge my judgement as you will—but bring The man who did it," Their conversation gives a clear indication that they did not gave the slightest thought t the idea that any women could have performed the burial. This suggests that it was out of imagination of the society that a woman is capable of defying the law of the state. We can also find instances of women's diminished capabilities in the section where the guard presented Antigone as the

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