Essay On Gender Roles In Antigone

Antigone is a story in where gender and its roles are the main themes. Gender roles and rules are set and followed by most in this era, this is appreciated in this text. Ideas of going against these rules were rarely explored. In Greek mythology, many women held positions of power, but none of these women were human, making the idea of a powerful woman godlike and unattainable, as if to keep woman in their place, which of course, was always under the rule of the superior gender, the male. To challenge a patriarchy with feminism was a dangerous thing to do because both sexes were equally protective of it, leaving the challenger desolate in the battle against it. Women were not going to help other women rebel against this social norm, in the …show more content…
To follow through with them even if it meant defying the rules and risking her life makes her take on an even more masculine role than every man in this text. It is evident that Antigone takes on a role of femininity that didn’t exist in this era and that can only be recognized as masculinity, every step she takes and every move she makes contains the purpose of defiance and the want of freedom, a behavior only expected and accepted from men. Nevertheless, she embraces it and demands respect for it. This worries her sister Ismene, who is portrayed as the opposite, however, she too has her fair share of bravery that seems superior to the one witnessed from any of the males in this …show more content…
Ismene does not see herself as powerful or considers herself capable of going against what is expected of her. Ismene appears as a weak and cowardly character and it is easy to classify her as such due to the way that throughout the story Ismene seems so afraid. Ismene not supporting Antigone, places her on Creon’s side in the eyes of Antigone, which changes the perception of Ismene from cowardly to disloyal and with ulterior motives. Although it is known that the real reason why is Ismene is not helping Antigone is because Ismene is submissive to the rules of gender. Ismene should not be blamed for complying with this, because this was the only way she and most people of this era knew how to be. Antigone was the odd one out and in some eyes a rebel. Ismene’s character shows many signs of submission and compliance, but it is safe to assume that there is more to her character. Ismene is perceived as cowardly, but there is a glimpse of feminism and bravery in her, making her a more complicated person. Ismene morally agrees with her sister and is even willing to break the rules to keep her secret, a person who is compliant and obedient wouldn’t act this way. Another piece of evidence that exposes Ismene to a different light is when Creon was going to kill Antigone and she