Battle Between Male And Women In Antigone By Sophocles

In Sophocles’ play Antigone, there is a constant battle between males and females in society. Sophocles’ use of character analogy and context of the play help the reader understand the breach between males and females. The setting of this literary work was believed to written during 441 B.C. in Athens, Greece when it was believed that men had social superiority over women. Antigone, the protagonist, played a strong, independent woman who Creon, the new king of Thebes and antagonist, had trouble accepting. Antigone had a rebelling nature which was uncommon amongst women in Greek society. After her brothers’ death, Polyneices and Eteocles, and Creon’s refusal of a proper burial for Polyneices, there was much upheaval in society furthering the rift between sexes by threatening each other’s identity, ultimately leading to Antigone’s death. In Greece during this time it was believed that women were to conform to male …show more content…
“But I will bury him if I must die” (line 55). Ismene was hesitant however when Antigone asked Ismene to join her to bury Polyneices. Antigone asks Ismene, “Ismene, I am going to bury him. Will you come?” Ismene responds, “Bury him! You have just said the law forbids it.” “He is my brother. And he is your brother, too.” “But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do!” (lines 31-35). She is scared of Creon’s superior power, especially over women. “Our own death would be if we should go against Creon and do what he has forbidden! We are women, we cannot fight with men, Antigone” (lines 45-47). Ismene says so herself that because of the time when females are guided by males, she must not do what she feels is “just because of the repercussions and the stand she must make against men” (Hartouni 9). “I am helpless: I must yield to those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business to be always meddling” (lines 50-52) Ismene