Patriarchy In Sophocles Antigone

The view of women has been adapting for the most part, with the times. The patriarchal society we once knew we can see slowly diminishing. Today, women, in a legal standpoint, have just about the same rights as men. Of course, it wasn’t always like this. Women weren’t allowed to receive an education, vote, play sports, have access to contraception, and they were expected to marry at young ages as well as raise a family. Historically, ancient Greece is known for the separation of men and women into distinct gender roles. In Sophocles’ Antigone and the biblical creation myth “Genesis,” we see a very pronounced gender hierarchy created by males with a need for dominance and power over women. These male leaders, ultimately, created the sexist society in which the stories take place. In Sophocles’ Antigone, the patriarchy is created by the need for control over the women. We see this most blatantly in the character of Creon. Sophocles characterizes Creon as a sexist and tyrannical leader who suffers a major downfall due to his belittling attitude towards women-Antigone in particular. As any leader would be, Creon is infuriated when he …show more content…
While Creon demonstrates the typical, power-crazy ancient Grecian man, Ismene demonstrates the submissive and passive female. Ismene is a prime example when she says, “Remember we are women, we’re not born to contend with men.” (Sophocles 74). She is struck by the fear of men and is therefore a coward who refuses to help her sister. Her character represents the view of women to men: weak and subordinate. Men always wanted to hold dominion over her, and in return, Ismene is a product of her environment. She has learned in her life that women must play the meek and mild role; she is not strong and bold like her sister Antigone. So she gives into Creon’s need for dominance over her, sacrificing the dignity and peace of her own