In addition to the existence of female empowerment in Antigone across the world in a broad sense, there are also more specific examples in American society’s versions that strongly support the idea of feminism within the myth. For example, there is clear textual evidence in much of Creon’s dialogue in the traditional American translation of the play that suggests Antigone’s ability to act with the same level of power as a man. Karen Bovard, author of “Righteous Activist or Confrontational Madwoman: Sophocles ' Antigone,” claims: “That Antigone’s defiant act radically destabilizes gender roles is clear in Creon’s response to it. He says, ‘I’m no man–she is a man, she’s the king–if she gets away with this’” (Sophocles 40, 529-31, Bovard 19).
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Men are viewed as having control of situations, and by controlling the situation with her uncle, it is Antigone who takes on a masculine presence, proving that females can be equal to males in this sense. Her assuredness and unwavering character are also exemplary features that portray her as masculine. Typical male behavior involves stubbornness in regards to decision-making, while females are known for their indecisiveness, and when Antigone refuses to change her mind while Creon eventually changes his (when it comes to her death sentence), gender roles are reversed. In this aspect, the myth shows the ability of both genders to take on their opposite gender role, making the two roles essentially equal in power and attainable by both sexes (Bovard 19). Antigone’s assuredness and strong decision-making portrays her as powerful and capable of influencing political systems, which correlates with basic ideas of feminism …show more content…
Antigone is “a woman who defies King Creon’s edict without any fear, doubts, or regrets,” Fanny Söderbäck, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Siena College, asserts (Söderbäck 2). “This courageous woman, the fruit of incest, has fascinated philosophers in the nineteenth century, inspired playwrights in the twentieth century, and intrigued feminist thinkers and activists for decades” she continues (Söderbäck 2). Antigone is viewed as more than a sister whose loyalty to family “pits her against a king,” but as “a citizen of Thebes whose defense of her brother is rooted in a devotion to the gods and to the ways and laws of her city” (Söderbäck 30). American soldiers are respected and honored for doing what is right for their country, despite the fact that taking others’ lives is viewed in a negative light when taken out of context. Their actions are deemed honorable, overshadowing the wrongs they must do to achieve societal good. Antigone reflects this when she defies the king’s orders to do what she feels is right in the eyes of the gods and her city. In this way, Antigone is more than just a woman; she is an active citizen, capable of political influence and deserving of power, proving the ability of women to be successful in the military realm as well as in all other realms, as many feminists view females
Men are viewed as having control of situations, and by controlling the situation with her uncle, it is Antigone who takes on a masculine presence, proving that females can be equal to males in this sense. Her assuredness and unwavering character are also exemplary features that portray her as masculine. Typical male behavior involves stubbornness in regards to decision-making, while females are known for their indecisiveness, and when Antigone refuses to change her mind while Creon eventually changes his (when it comes to her death sentence), gender roles are reversed. In this aspect, the myth shows the ability of both genders to take on their opposite gender role, making the two roles essentially equal in power and attainable by both sexes (Bovard 19). Antigone’s assuredness and strong decision-making portrays her as powerful and capable of influencing political systems, which correlates with basic ideas of feminism …show more content…
Antigone is “a woman who defies King Creon’s edict without any fear, doubts, or regrets,” Fanny Söderbäck, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Siena College, asserts (Söderbäck 2). “This courageous woman, the fruit of incest, has fascinated philosophers in the nineteenth century, inspired playwrights in the twentieth century, and intrigued feminist thinkers and activists for decades” she continues (Söderbäck 2). Antigone is viewed as more than a sister whose loyalty to family “pits her against a king,” but as “a citizen of Thebes whose defense of her brother is rooted in a devotion to the gods and to the ways and laws of her city” (Söderbäck 30). American soldiers are respected and honored for doing what is right for their country, despite the fact that taking others’ lives is viewed in a negative light when taken out of context. Their actions are deemed honorable, overshadowing the wrongs they must do to achieve societal good. Antigone reflects this when she defies the king’s orders to do what she feels is right in the eyes of the gods and her city. In this way, Antigone is more than just a woman; she is an active citizen, capable of political influence and deserving of power, proving the ability of women to be successful in the military realm as well as in all other realms, as many feminists view females