“‘When you say Man,’...‘you include women too’” (Rukeyser 10-1). In several points of history, women are expected to fit certain characteristics, but there are some women who do not. A lot of the time, women break expectations set for them through their ultimate actions. This is what makes them unlike men; their ability to defy standards set for them surpasses that of a man who is already expected to do great things. Referring to “men” does not also include women for these reasons. In Sophocles’ works, Oedipus Rex and Antigone, the role of women, interchangeably strong or weak, is contradicted through expectations, appearances, and decisions. Iocaste, in Oedipus Rex, starts as a strong female who is opinionated and is not afraid to speak up
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She is objectified and is not able to be part of important conversations or decisions. Creon, the king, is enraged when she defies him by burying her own brother, when the king refused to bury him. She is expected to listen to the commands of a man, and her opposition is not seen as brave by the king, rather it is seen as careless and impulsive. This impulsiveness just furthers the false vision the king has for women; that they are weak to their instincts and their stupidity. In response, the Choragos inquires if Creon’s son, the husband of Antigone, will “[be] robbed of his bride” (Sophocles, Antigone 216). The phrase “being robbed” objectifies Antigone, and again emphasizes the expectations of women; that their opinions and actions are out of their weakness to ignorance and impulse, rather than their bravery and intelligence. Later, Creon discusses Antigone with his son Haimon, who is in favor of her and is arguing that she should not be killed for burying her brother. To his son, Creon advises “If we must lose, let’s lose to a man, at least!” (Sophocles, Antigone 218). Creon’s opinion of women is yet again showcased in this quotation. He believes that it is shameful to lose in general, but even more shameful to lose to a woman. He thinks that by freeing her from death, he is losing. Creon’s reasoning is that men are strong individuals, and at least losing to them is somewhat dignified. He is not only …show more content…
Antigone asks her sister, Ismene, if she will join her in burying their brother, but Ismene is not quite as bold as Antigone. In response to Ismene’s concern, Antigone declares, “Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way” (Sophocles, Antigone 191). This is a very strong statement for a woman to be saying out loud, especially since it has to do with a man, at this time. While Creon may find her decision to oppose him as a weakness, now many find Antigone strong and brave for taking action. Also, Creon did not see this scene unfold; he thinks that her actions were impulsive, when in reality this is a deliberate plan to fix what Antigone believes is an unjust decision. Antigone dies as a strong woman, facing death without screaming or crying, rather with composure and inner harmony. This is a strength that can even be uncommon among men; this is true
She is objectified and is not able to be part of important conversations or decisions. Creon, the king, is enraged when she defies him by burying her own brother, when the king refused to bury him. She is expected to listen to the commands of a man, and her opposition is not seen as brave by the king, rather it is seen as careless and impulsive. This impulsiveness just furthers the false vision the king has for women; that they are weak to their instincts and their stupidity. In response, the Choragos inquires if Creon’s son, the husband of Antigone, will “[be] robbed of his bride” (Sophocles, Antigone 216). The phrase “being robbed” objectifies Antigone, and again emphasizes the expectations of women; that their opinions and actions are out of their weakness to ignorance and impulse, rather than their bravery and intelligence. Later, Creon discusses Antigone with his son Haimon, who is in favor of her and is arguing that she should not be killed for burying her brother. To his son, Creon advises “If we must lose, let’s lose to a man, at least!” (Sophocles, Antigone 218). Creon’s opinion of women is yet again showcased in this quotation. He believes that it is shameful to lose in general, but even more shameful to lose to a woman. He thinks that by freeing her from death, he is losing. Creon’s reasoning is that men are strong individuals, and at least losing to them is somewhat dignified. He is not only …show more content…
Antigone asks her sister, Ismene, if she will join her in burying their brother, but Ismene is not quite as bold as Antigone. In response to Ismene’s concern, Antigone declares, “Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way” (Sophocles, Antigone 191). This is a very strong statement for a woman to be saying out loud, especially since it has to do with a man, at this time. While Creon may find her decision to oppose him as a weakness, now many find Antigone strong and brave for taking action. Also, Creon did not see this scene unfold; he thinks that her actions were impulsive, when in reality this is a deliberate plan to fix what Antigone believes is an unjust decision. Antigone dies as a strong woman, facing death without screaming or crying, rather with composure and inner harmony. This is a strength that can even be uncommon among men; this is true