Both one-act plays Antigone and Trifles are centralized by the themes of femininity and law vs. moral rights and beliefs. Antigone is a strong hard headed woman who stands up for what she believes is right, just as Mrs. Hale does in Trifles. The two woman protagonists share many character traits as they each overcome conflicts of male vs. female and law vs. moral rights and beliefs. Because Antigone was written in the ancient Greek era, I feel the influence it has on Susan Glaspell’s early 20th-century play, Trifles is more impactful than realized. The influence Antigone has on Trifles is shown through each play’s plot, characterization, shared theme, and symbolism.
Antigone and Trifles share a similar plot within each one-act play. Both have …show more content…
Hale’s character is portrayed by the traits they share. The woman’s hard-headed, stubborn, loyalty towards what they believe in is impactful and influential. Each era is significantly different, however in both era’s women were unseen, ignored, looked down on, and had limited rights. The ancient Greek role of women was to stay at home and take care of their families. Women were belittled and looked down on. This role was also portrayed in Trifles. Both Antigone and Mrs. Hale possess character traits that set them aside from other women in their eras. Even though women were portrayed in this way, both Antigone and Mrs. Hale fight for what they believe is right. Antigone brakes the social norm and fights for what she believes is correct. She isn’t scared of anything, including her own death. “Now, Antigone, tell me shortly and to the point, did you know the proclamation against your action? I knew it; of course, I did. For it was public. And did you dare to disobey that law? Yes...I know that I will die - of course, I do…” (Nor 1224). This character trait of fearlessness is also shared with Mrs. Hale in Trifles. Unlike Antigone, Mrs. Hale shows more awareness of the unfairness of how women are treated in the era. “I know how things can be - for women. I tell you it’s queer.” (Nor 782). Because of the way things are for women Mrs. Hale shows a fearless action by keeping the secret about the dead bird and not telling the attorney …show more content…
Both Antigone and Mrs. Hale, fight against male superiority for what they believe is right against the law. The plays both share the common themes of femininity and law vs. moral rights and beliefs. Antigone’s actions are seen as influential as femininity, law vs. moral rights and beliefs and male vs. female are shown as she takes a stand against Creon and his law. “Do you want anything beyond my taking and my execution?...Why do you wait, then? Nothing that you say pleases me; God forbid it ever should. So my words, too, naturally offend you. Yet how could I win a greater share of glory than putting my own brother in his grave?” (Nor 1225). The theme is shown by Antigone taking a stand against Creon for her morals and beliefs and loyalty to her family. This influential action of revolt against male superiority is impactful and also seen in Mrs. Hale’s
Antigone and Trifles share a similar plot within each one-act play. Both have …show more content…
Hale’s character is portrayed by the traits they share. The woman’s hard-headed, stubborn, loyalty towards what they believe in is impactful and influential. Each era is significantly different, however in both era’s women were unseen, ignored, looked down on, and had limited rights. The ancient Greek role of women was to stay at home and take care of their families. Women were belittled and looked down on. This role was also portrayed in Trifles. Both Antigone and Mrs. Hale possess character traits that set them aside from other women in their eras. Even though women were portrayed in this way, both Antigone and Mrs. Hale fight for what they believe is right. Antigone brakes the social norm and fights for what she believes is correct. She isn’t scared of anything, including her own death. “Now, Antigone, tell me shortly and to the point, did you know the proclamation against your action? I knew it; of course, I did. For it was public. And did you dare to disobey that law? Yes...I know that I will die - of course, I do…” (Nor 1224). This character trait of fearlessness is also shared with Mrs. Hale in Trifles. Unlike Antigone, Mrs. Hale shows more awareness of the unfairness of how women are treated in the era. “I know how things can be - for women. I tell you it’s queer.” (Nor 782). Because of the way things are for women Mrs. Hale shows a fearless action by keeping the secret about the dead bird and not telling the attorney …show more content…
Both Antigone and Mrs. Hale, fight against male superiority for what they believe is right against the law. The plays both share the common themes of femininity and law vs. moral rights and beliefs. Antigone’s actions are seen as influential as femininity, law vs. moral rights and beliefs and male vs. female are shown as she takes a stand against Creon and his law. “Do you want anything beyond my taking and my execution?...Why do you wait, then? Nothing that you say pleases me; God forbid it ever should. So my words, too, naturally offend you. Yet how could I win a greater share of glory than putting my own brother in his grave?” (Nor 1225). The theme is shown by Antigone taking a stand against Creon for her morals and beliefs and loyalty to her family. This influential action of revolt against male superiority is impactful and also seen in Mrs. Hale’s