Monday, February 9, 2009

The Role of Woman in Antigone

In the play Antigone, the main character, Antigone, shows how strong woman can be during the play.  One example is, when Antigone is arguing with her sister Ismene about burying their brother.   Another example is, when Antigone argues with King Creon about why she buried her brother Polyneices.  During these two situations Antigone shows how much women can do.

At the very beginning of the play Antigone and her sister Ismene argue about burying Polyneices.  Antigone wants to follow the god’s rule and bury her brother Polyneices or else he will roam around looking for his spirit.  When she tells her sister, Ismene, about burying her brother she disagrees and says they should listen to Creon and not bury Polyneices.  Antigone disagrees with her and follows her conscience and the god’s rule.  When Ismene decides not to bury her brother, Antigone says this to Ismene, “But I will bury him; and if I must die,/ I say that this crime is holy” ( Antigone Prolouge 55-56).  That’s what is amazing about Antigone, she won’t listen to anyone except herself.  She will always listen to her conscience and do what she thinks is right.

When Antigone is caught by the guards she is taken to King Creon.  King Creon tells Antigone she is stubborn and always breaks the law.  Antigone stands her ground and proudly says that she did bury her brother and she thought it was right.  A phrase that I like was, “I do.  I deny nothing.” (Antigone 1.2.52).  One reason why I like this phrase is because Antigone said it so proudly to King Creon.  That is what makes her a great example for women.  Antigone always believes in what she does and never backs down.  When King Creon was talking to Antigone she proudly said that she buried her brother. 

  Antigone is a great role model for all women.  She always stands up for what she believes is right.  When she was arguing with her sister Ismene she always wanted to do what was right.  Another example of Antigone’s courageousness is when she faced King Creon and proudly said that what she did was right.

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