Gender Equity Issues in Antigone Essay

In our present day, many believe they should be case-hardened fairly regardless of their race, religious beliefs, or gender. When gender equity is institutionalize on the table as the main discussion we may make up whizs mind wo custody to have more aggressive opinions and views rather than workforce. Some get out rede this is due to the thousands of years women have been limited to certain rights that men ar so freely able to obtain. classical men are innate(p) and viewed as the superior being while women face limits on their license and justice. They are, however, shewn restrictive rules and polices that do non apply equally to their counterpart. check to whiz analysis of Antigone, women individuality were vio tardyd and hidden while they were keep down by a mans desire(Karim, 2012). In Antigone, Sophocles changes the helping hand of many before him, as he dis adjoins his main character, Antigone, a fearless and respectful char charwomanhood, who has great belie fs in the Gods. Antigone is quick to put her family before the law as she goes against the kings high society. Antigone can be looked upon as a great leader of society except theres one problem she is a woman which has great effects on the actions she wishes to take. even up though Ismene, Antigones sister, under balks her decision she goes along with the kings order to keep from disobeying the law. Antigone feels that the king, Creon, is being unjust when he doesnt allow her to give her br different, Polynices, a proper burial. Creon becomes devastated when he finds discover that its a woman who has publicly defied him. There are factors, such as, catastrophes, wars, and events that have effects on the destination, history, and politics of one society. However, sometimes domestic issues can besides origin great debate and reflect large concerns governing society and culture (Rokem, 2006).Antigones malcontent act upset gender roles and threaten the Greek culture. Women in the G reek Society In Ancient Greece it was very frequent for men to have a dominant role. Men were highly problematic in politics and it was very rare to see women engage in jobs that were thought to be more suited for men. Women stayed in the home and if they worked they usually held jobs as maids or servants. Men looked for wives who didnt speak much besides instead kept to their cleaning, weaving, and caring for the children. Women were forbidden to go against the beliefs of men and if they rung out against a man then harsh consequences would follow.The Consequences Antigone Will bleak In Sophocles, Antigone, Creon sees Antigone as a threat to his society. He hates that a woman is handout against his first order as king. He makes it clear that Polynices is not to be buried barely ordain remain on the subject field of battle to rot. When Antigone, a woman, buries her brother, Polynices, Creon is devastated. Creon feels Antigone is trying to rule over him. She is thought of as disobeying Creon and the law he has set forth. He wants to make an example of her and retaliate her for going against his law and his gender role.Creon The staminate Role Throughout the play, Antigone, Creon displays his timbre of women time after time. He doesnt hold back his beliefs that men are dominant and should never be over powered by any woman. Creon states to Antigone, while I live, no woman shall rule me (Sophocles, Jebb trans). Creon feels that Antigone is out of order by go foring him. He hates that Antigone is breaking the law still he also hates the fact that as a woman she is going against him. Creon Creon The Male Role doesnt care that his son, Haemon, has asked Antigone to marry him.Once Antigone breaks the law and confesses her beliefs to him, Creon will not approve of her as a wife for his son. He has to reverse her womanly courage and sentence her to death. Many women in the kingdom be care felt the same as Antigone but they dare not talk them to a man. Ismene even felt that Antigone was being treated unjustly but she remained in her woman role and would not stand with Antigone. At one point she couldnt understand why Antigone was reacting in such an felonious way. Ismene Beliefs as a Woman Many readers may feel that Ismene was nonentity more than a coward.Some may ask how she could stand by and allow someone to disrespect her dead brother. Unfortunately, Ismene beliefs and actions were those of many women in their society. It was expect of Ismene, as a woman, to follow the word of man and his law. Ismene is willing to agree the Gods in order to respect the laws of man. She is aquaphobic of Creon and she allows herself to be governed by him. She is like all other women in her society who know their boundaries. Ismene kept her informal thoughts to herself. She was upset that no one else in the town would not stand and support Antigones decision.Ismene displays her feelings of being a woman to Antigone as she says, nay we must r emember, first, that we are born women, as who should not strive with men next, that we are ruled of the stronger, so that we must obey in these things (Sophocles, Jebb trans). Ismene beliefs are common in comparison to other women in her society but Antigone was not going to stand by and allow men to defy the Gods, even if it meant death for her. A Courageous Woman The character, Antigone, was an interesting and dynamic role due to her personal traits.Antigone held her personal convictions tightly and her beliefs in the Gods tighter. She held her commitment first to the gods rather than to the mortal institutions of man. Antigone was not just a rebellious role but was much different than other docile women of her day. contempt being a woman, Antigone is not afraid of disobeying Creons law nor is she afraid to tell Creon how she has no respect for him. Antigone was being punished for following the Gods which were of high statue than Creons law. She stated, I have longer to ench ant the dead than please the living her in the kingdom down below, Ill lie forever.Do as you please and dishonor the laws the gods hold in honor (Sophocles, Jebb trans). She will not defy the Gods to please Creon and takes her death sentence lightly. Creon hates that Antigone wont go against her beliefs. She knows she is being used as an example to show other women how to not act. It takes the Gods to interrupt Creons death sentence to Antigone. Unfortunately, it comes too late and before Creon can release Antigone she has already taken her own life. Thoughts of Antigone Antigone is a reminder of how women were mistreated in previous societies.Even though the play ends tragically, Antigone will never be forgotten as a woman who stood up close to her beliefs regardless if she was cast away by an authoritive potent figure. She didnt care if she had to stand alone but she was willing to run rather than obey mans law and dishonor the Gods. Karim (2012) suggests, purpose fundamental s ubject of burial of the dead created conflict relative to law, religion, and culture. It also generated critical debate on a womans status. Thoughts of Antigone Antigone was a role model to other women because she remained true to her religion by going against the culture and law of her society.