Antigone as a Feminist Icon

Antigone as a Feminist Icon Male authority is a paramount theme in Sophocles Antigone. Men occupied the land, ru direct the t experiences and assigned the women duties to perform. Antigone, however, believed that she was plainly as strong as the men who rule baseball club during that time, which led to her downfall. The goal of the womens rightist movement has generally been to seek equality in the midst of the sexes. Through the womens movement, women have won the right to vote, and can now compete for traditionally male designs in the workplace.Although the feminist movement has by and large taken place during the last 200 year, valety figures in chronicle have embo travel byd characteristics of the contemporary feminist, such as the character of Antigone in Sophocles Antigone. Antigones introduction as a feminist is within the condition of a fiercely sexist civilization. Sophocles paints a vivid portrait of a male dominated society. In 442 BC, women believed that they were inferior to men because men held world-beater and influence oer the heap and the cities.The patriarchy consisted of men who considered themselves of higher importance and standing, and men who would assign women duties and expect them to perform without question. This authoritarian rule laid women in a subordinate role and extinguished any hopes of power. In the face of this efficiently and tightly controlled agency, Antigone rebels with what Catherine Holland describes as an otherness and an anti-authoritarian bent. Her very population as the protagonist and, simultaneously, the antagonist defines her character as the adversary of man and thereby the adversary of the world.Antigones razor sharp temerity captures the feeling of modern and nascent feminism as she slashes the societal fabric into which she is woven. Antigones relationship with her sister Ismene also acutely expresses her feminist attributes. Ismene recites You ought to realize we argon only women, not ta utt in nature to fight against men, and that we are ruled by those who are stronger. These words provide insight into the female animus. Antigone confronts the backbrea queen regnant situation of whether or not to bury her brother Polynices against the wishes of her uncle, Creon the king.Ismene believes that women, including herself and Antigone, should not and cannot refuse Creons revisions by burying their own brother. Antigone disagrees and decides to proceed with her plan. Her divergent mentation puts her at odds with her entire family and her own survival. This speaks to the power of feminist thought. Antigone shines as a beacon for her contemporaries and for future generations who aspire to emulate her heroism and honor. Vital to the play is Antigones conflict with Creon.Her resolute feminist ideology is perhaps most profound in regards to her interaction and relationship with her misogynistic and decent uncle, the King of Thebes. Creon is a central patriarchal figure i n society, and he renounces his beliefs in modulate to follow the laws of man. He values the laws of man in a higher place all other creeds, be they religious or moral. Conversely, Antigone follows the laws of the gods. She holds these principals paramount to the laws of Creon. When her more(prenominal) thans, in particular, her family values, are impugned by the oppressive, myopic laws of the day, Antigone clashes with the intolerable, indulgent influence of Creon.With a brassy countenance she collides with Creon in a representative battle of the sexes. Creon forbids the burial of Antigones brother Polynices, which vexes the core of her family values. This profound allegiance compels her to disregard her place in society, while concurrently adhering to the traditional duty of women of that era. She now embodies a change and dynamic actor in her own story and the narrative of feminist thought. Antigone manifests the apogee of human probity, including fortitude and approbation for the gods.The law of the gods mandate that a proper burial right be given to a body. To Antigone this was more salient than Creons declaration otherwise. She reserves a traditional role as a charwoman while also brazenly confronting this image. intriguing him through word and deed, she verbally criticizes him and ignores his decree against burying her brother. Creon becomes enraged by this rejection of his autonomy and condemns Antigone to death. Even though Creon knows that Antigone is the daughter of Jocasta, he knows that he mustinessiness consummate his perceptiveness to conserve his command oer and follow of the people of Thebes.This battle between chauvinism of Creon and the conscious of Antigone sets the stage for the new king to secure his role as a strong and worthy leader. If he is apprehensioned and admired, he allow for be confirmed as the sublime of import force in Thebes. His deference to the state go out engender the homage of the people. Creons derisiv e manipulation to coerce others conflicts with Antigones courageous contend to his leadership. Many of the men of Thebes embraced Creons bold assertions against women. As a exemplar of defiance, Antigone is used to set an example to all of Thebes.Antigone is not only the start-off woman but first person whom intentionally defies Creons order to not bury her brother, who has been acknowledged a traitor to Thebes. Creon refuses to humble himself onward others, or compromise on the issue but most importantly with women. He states that it is Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man-never to rated inferior to a woman, never. Antigone does not give Creon additional respect based on the fact that he a man in patriarchal society or because he is king. Rather she argues that there shall be equality under God and the equality among all of the sexes.Antigone makes it clear to Ismene that she will take action relating to their brother regardless if Ismene agrees o r not. Although they argue, there battle in opinion stand out in the end. Antigone is brave replete to stand firm on her decision and although Ismene is far too weakly to defy the kings laws, she still feels as if she holds somewhat of a responsibility towards her sister. Without the supporter of her sister, Iseme, Antigone is willing to put her life at risk in order to provide for her brother and give him what deserves as far as the what the Gods say should be done.Despite Creon, Antigone is willing to test male authority although it may mean not fulfilling her duties as a sister. Ismene states Remember we are women, were not natural to contend with men. Then too, were underlings, ruled by much stronger hands, so we must submit in this, and things still worse. These words express Ismenes extreme fear of subordination towards men. It shows her viewpoint on how the laws restricted the lives of woman and inferiority men placed upon women.A sense of responsibility is place upon Is mene to die with her sister as the the result of Antigones plea for help and her fear of being without family. When Creon spoke to Haemon, about the actions of his fiance, he strongly stresses the importance of obligations and the relationships of a man to his father over his wife. Furthermore, he emphasizes the position of males in judgment making by stating, Oh Haemon, never loose your sense of judgment over a woman Haemons defiance to his father lead Creon to proclaim him a womans slave, a man who is unfortunately sided with a woman.Creon had strong belief that these types of actions were polish to committing a sin. If Antigone had been born the son of Oedipus, Creon would not have the authority to choose, as his crown would rest upon Antigones pass. If Antigone were a male and Creon had been king, the possibility of her opinion on Polynices burial may have been considered. However, Antigones femininity made her situation more problematic than it was, as the King completely ov erlooked Antigones judgment over the matter. In conclusion, Antigone validates feminist opinions in numerous ways.She begins to challenge society by her existence in the establishment of a dominant male society guided by her own uncle. Antigone defies her own sister and her own mortality as she stays loyal to her beliefs regardless of Creons devotion to his own laws. Antigone as a woman, acted out in obligation as a duty for her family and for the Gods. Her integrity serves as an example for her society. Antigone faced her mortality head on, which suggest that she possesses a strong characteristic of bravery and obstinacy. Her legacy will live on to inspire many other insurgents to take a stand on their principles.Antigones solid feminist stance as a rebelling and male-controlled dictator shows that individualistic thinking and actions can be very decent in both past and present modern day society. whole kit Cited Amacher, Richard E. Antigone The Most Misread of Ancient Plays. N ational Council of Teachers of English 20. 7 Apr. 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