Antigone is an ancient Greek play written by Sophocles that follows Antigone, a young woman who chooses to defy the laws of Thebes in order to bury her brother. Antigone is viewed as a feminist play by some and as anti-feminist by others because she defies a law that would ultimately benefit her sister, Ismene’s desires. Antigone decides that burying her brother is more important than obeying the law, which would ultimately put Antigone to death for defying it.
– Antigone is a female protagonist who follows what she believes to be right over what society says is right
– Antigone challenges authority and breaks traditional gender roles by committing “heroic actions”
– Antigone upholds tradition/authority rather than breaking out of societal boundaries set by men because Antigone upholds tradition/authority for her own benefit (e.g., burial of Polynices) rather than for other women’s benefit (e.g., protection against rape)
– Antigone’s defiance of Creon goes against what some critics believe to be a patriarchal society
The play Antigone is seen as a feminist play by some and as anti-feminist by others because Antigone commits “heroic actions” that challenge authority and break traditional gender roles. Antigone decides that burying her brother is more important than obeying the law, which would ultimately put Antigone to death for defying it. Antigone follows what she believes to be right over what society says is right by leaving the laws/traditions of men in order to practice those of the gods.
Antigone, the protagonist of Antigone, is first seen as an anti-feminist by Creon. Antigone is trying to stop Creon from suffocating Antigone’s brother, Polynices (Bertelsen). Antigone says she has no other choice but to bury her brother because it was the law; however she felt like it was her duty since he died fighting for his rights. She said if anyone else tried what Creon did then they should know that she will fight back. Antigone shows feminism in this part because Antigone does not follow/listen to what anyone tells her and goes against everything everyone tells her.
Antigone claims herself as an individual who does things on their own. Antigone is now seen as a feminist or at least an Ant-Feminist. Antigone shows feminism multiple times later on in Antigone. “Antigone” may be viewed as a play about feminism. First, Antigone’s brothers have been fighting over who should rule the city of Thebes, thus causing great sorrow and grief to Antigone and her family. In order to end this war, King Creon has decided that one of Eteocles’ sons must die; however he cannot decide which son it will be because they are both equally loved by their mother Jocasta (Creon’s wife).
This situation gives Antigone the right to bury one of her brothers and give him a proper burial as Antigone believes that it is her duty as a daughter to do so. Antigone goes against King Creon’s order which means Antigone decides not to follow what the king has said, hence Antigone shows feminism by standing up for those she cares about and those who need help; Antigone decides not to listen or follow what everyone says and Antigone does what she thinks is right even if it is against others’ opinions.
Second, Antigone goes through many struggles in “Antigone” such as her family situation; Antigone’s two brothers have been fighting over who should rule Thebes which causes great grief, pain, anger, sadness almost all negative feelings Antigone’s family. Antigone does not agree with this which Antigone claims that she is allowed to have her own opinions despite men and women believing during Antigone’s time that it was a sin to defy the king and Antigone did not care about these thoughts, Antigone did what she thought was right and went against King Creon even though Thebes has been under his rule for quite some time.
Antigone shows feminism because Antigone stands up for herself and those around her even if it may get them punished like when Antigone defies the king; Antigone also shows feminism by standing up for others who need help such as burying Polynices since he died fighting for his rights Antigone thought it was her duty as a daughter to bury him just like Antigone’s other brother who Antigone buried properly.
In Antigone, Antigone does not care about what men and women think she should do because Antigone believes in herself which is feminism. Antigone” may be considered a feminist play since Antigone goes against the male/female rules of society by doing what she thinks is right instead of following everyone else’s opinions. Antigone shows feminism when Antigone decides to go against King Creon even though Thebes has been under his rule for quite some time; Antigone also shows feminism when Antigone buries Polynices even though Antigone’s brother, Haemon, told Antigone not to.
Antigone shows feminism throughout “Antigone” because Antigone decides not to follow what everyone says and Antigone does what she thinks is right no matter who Antigone goes against or if it can get Antigone into trouble. Antigone may be viewed as a feminist play since Antigone does not care about what men/women think she should do; Antigone does what she thinks is right instead of following the rules of society.
Antigone, an ancient Greek mythological play by Sophocles, is commonly thought of as a feminist piece. Antigone’s character strives for her personal rights and defies Creon, the king who overthrew Antigone’s brother (King of Thebes) Oedipus’ sons, Haemon and Polyneices. Antigone finds herself in conflict with Creon because he wants to maintain order after his son Haemon has committed suicide out of love for Antigone, whom he wishes to marry.
Antigone defies Creon by giving Polyneices a proper burial anyway, which violates city law that would have him left unburied as punishment for attempting to take back the city. As well as Antigone defying Creon, she is also fighting for her right as a woman to marry whom she chooses and not be forced into an arranged marriage. Antigone does this by committing suicide and leaving Antigone and Ismene ( Antigone’s sister) torn between obeying their father and honoring the Gods. Antigone leaves the audience with the deciding factor of whether or not Antigone was a feminist or anti-feminist character.
In Antigone, Sophocles brilliantly creates a protagonist that goes against societal norms of women being submissive to men. ‘ Antigone continuously defies Creon because he takes away from her what is rightly hers, something any feminist could relate to in modern times. Antigone struggles as a woman constantly having to put her brother’s needs before her own and only wishes for love. Antigone’s idealistic views of marriage and love make it so readers cannot help but cheer Antigone on in the search to have what is rightfully hers, which are Antigone’s freedoms.
Antigone was not necessarily an anti-feminist character because she is only acting out against societal norms of women being submissive. Antigone is fighting for something that Antigones rights are threatened by men that don’t share Antigone’s view of justice. Antigone wants to be free from actually being forced into an arranged marriage where she has no say in who she marries. Antigone is a feminist character because Antigone represents many women’s wants and needs.
Antigone wants to have the freedom to choose who she wants to marry, even though Antigone died in her fight Antigone did get what Antigone wanted all along which was the chance to be free from an arranged marriage where Antigone has no choice or say in whom Antigones marries. Antigone may have been killed for wanting this but Antigones demand for justice was heard through out time and will be honored forever by feminists everywhere because Antigones fight for her freedoms inspired a new generation of feminists that continue the fight today.
