Antigone

Antigone's gender plays a significant role on the understanding of her actions. Creon states that the need to defeat Antigone is all the more vital because she is a woman. The independence of Greek women was tremendously limited during this era. The rules and regulations placed on them were immense, even for the ancient world. Antigone's uprising is particularly intimidating because it upsets gender roles and hierarchy in the story. By refusing to be submissive, Antigone overturns one of the essential rules of her way of life. Antigone wants her brothers body to be properly buried and will do what is necessary to make sure the burial is performed. Antigone tries to get Ismene to assist her in the burial of Polynices but Ismene is hesistant to go against Creon’s decree. Ismene is intimidated by the rule of men and believes that women should be obedient to them or fear their punishment. Ismene believes that men are stronger and more capable, as many women were taught to believe so women must do what men tell them. In the end we see that Antigone has simply given in to the challenges that Creon puts forth.  When Creon realizes he may be wrong, he changes his argument because he did not want to acknowledge loss to a woman.  That would display weakness for Creon by going back on his principles. It is this underlying lie that Sophocles' play tries to correct, largely through the punishment that the gods impose on Creon as a result of his simple minded, belief.