Thursday, August 22, 2013

What are some quotes from Antigone that represent the theme Man VS Woman (women's role in society)?

I like the opening scene's exchange between Antigone and
Ismene for quotes on the conflict between men and women.  Antigone represents the force
for social change in her arguments that men's laws, when unjust, should be challenged. 
Ismene is more representative of the traditional view whereby there should not be
challenges of men's laws because she and her sister are women, and are not the in the
position to wage such challenge.  It is here where I think some very meaningful quotes
about individual power based on gender can be found.  Ismene's articulation of the
traditional notion of gender can be seen here:


readability="13">

And now the two of us, left all
alone—
think how very horribly we will die
if we go against the
king's decree and strength(60)
outside the law. Rather, consider that
we
were born women, proving we should not fight with men,
and that
we are ruled by more powerful people
and must obey them, even in more painful
things.




Notice the
language Ismene employs to convey both her predicament as a sister and women.  "Left all
alone," "horribly" in describing the manner of death are both representative of how the
traditional view of women are held in Greek society.  Additionally, the idea that being
"born" women is somehow a second rate condition is matched with men being "more powerful
people."  Antigone's response is fairly interesting in this
light:



But let
me and my foolish plans suffer(95)
this terrible thing, for I shall
succumb
to nothing so awful as a shameful
death.



In Antigone's mind,
being a woman is not the issue. The fundamental issue is believing in a cause, in
"foolish plans."  Her entire line of response to Ismene is the belief in something more
transcendental than the contingent condition of men vs. women.  Antigone does not spend
time in arguing the merits of female empowerment.  Rather, she seems to transcend gender
and embrace the idea that every human being commits themselves to something, someone,
some idea.  When Antigone tells Ismene to not "worry for me; straighten out your own
life," it is telling.  Such a line reveals that Antigone's fundamental argument is that
one neednt be locked in gender specified roles if they passionately hold beliefs in what
they see as right and just.  It is here where Antigone becomes more than a feminist, and
embraces the idea that contingency and condition does not define human beings,
regardless of gender.

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