Gender Ideology in Antigone

In ancient Greece, women contribution to society was very minimal. Their rights were fewer compared to those of men. Confined to their homes, the role of women in Ancient Greece was bearing and raising children. In Antigone written by Sophocles, Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus was as assertive as she was brave. She chose not to be confined neither by gender roles not by the authority of King Creon. She is defies common gender roles as expected of women in ancient Greece by standing up to authority of the King. In this essay we will discuss a very important aspect women’s position in Greek in the time , also the play .

Antigone was brave and determined . she chose death over being forced into servitude in the male dominated society of Ancient Greece as seen in the play. This very much upsets the way the play and the traditional gender values of ancient Greece viewed women. The other women including Ismene and the wife of King Creon chose to quietly take their place below the men.Antigone was their exact opposite, by traits, values and choices. For example, Ismene, her sister was subservient and weak. Even though she finds the decree of the King very unfair, she knows her role in the society is to be seen not heard. She fears and respects the authority of Creon both as King and as a man. Even for the burial of her brother, she still respects the order of the King and tries to convince Antigone not to go against a royal decree. Ismene says, we are just ladies; we will not battle with men Antigone! The law is solid, we should surrender to the law.' This paints an away from of the situation of ladies in the general public of the play and old Greece also. It shows the role of gender roles in the society where the play is set and in ancient Greece too. Women think they are inconsequential and weak and inconsequential just as the men have defined them.

Additionally, the progressive character of Antigone is very disruptive according to the standards of ancient Greece. She sought to defy many set standards regarding the gender role she is supposed to fulfill in society. This is evidenced when she buries her brother despite the King’s warning. King Creon was very much determined to defeat her. He wanted to defeat her so badly because she was a woman letting her win would have severe consequences. She would have broken divine law. Antigone refuses to live under patriarchal oppression and her defiance represents her refusal to take up her role as a woman in the society and threatens the hierarchical structures of the society in the play and since she had refused to act subserviently. The king maintained that she cannot win.

In conclusion, Antigone defies her traditional gender roles in Ancient Greece. She challenges male authority, and she is a protester against of traditional she does all sorts of things that were not accepted in Ancient Greece.She pushes Creon to the limit as a male authority. Antigone is that the symbol of ultimate defiance and presents a transparent view of gender roles within the play and ancient Greece too.