The Role of Women in Antigone :: Literary Analysis, Sophocles

One of the conflicts in Antigone, is the struggle between hands and wowork force. Ismene tells Antigone that since birth, women were not natural to contend with men, (75) displaying womens obedience and passivity. In the same passage, Ismene says were underlings, control by stronger hands, (76) a representation of mens aggressive and stronger hands that dominate women and treats them as second-class citizens. The only woman in Thebes who desires to divide free from these chains is Antigone, who stands up against Ismenes passivity urging her to acquaint to this, (77) and defy Creon by burying Polynices. By breaking Creons edict, Antigone challenges the traditionalistic gender roles women and men play. In what ways does the theme of gender in Antigone, demonstrate the passion and choices behind Antigone and Ismenes decisions? Ismene deals that women are underlings (76) and not contending with men (76) because she knows that men will always control society. This viewpoint o f mens domination of women depicts Ismene to be submissive to males while being noble of mens authority. Ismene is unable to have control over her destiny and decisions because she is fearful of mens power over women, which leads to her refusing to bury Polynices. Later in the play, Ismene questions Creons judgment by saying youd kill your make sons bride? (641) which indicates that she is now aware that woman should have a voice and power in society. Her new understanding of Antigones subject gives her the strength to query Creon, while additionally highlighting his cruelty. Ismenes airplane pilot belief of submiting to this (77) and being a proper Greek girl, eventually transforms into enough an advocate for Antigone. Her transformation defies mens authority, the opposite of what she used to believe in. Antigone believes that a woman should be intrepid and strong, even at the attempt of challenging mens authority. When she proposes to bury Polynices, Ismene answers, were n ot innate(p) to contend with men. (75) Antigones response, that death will be a glory (86), does not directly address gender issues, but it expresses her ire at Ismenes passivity. After the burial of Polynices, Antigone defiantly states, I did it. I dont deny a thing, while being interrogated by Creon (492) and later comments that she was not ashamed for a moment, not to honor my crony. (572-3) Antigones gallant speech and defiance toward traditional gender identities audaciously shows her revolutionary desire for gender equality.