There are many events in Sophocles’ tragedy ‘Antigone‘ that shapes our understanding of current political and social struggles. However, one societal problem that this tragedy can help us understand is the issue of feminism. In the story, Sophocles created a female protagonist named Antigone. She was an icon, a role model, and a heroine whose actions depict courage and bravery. Antigone also conveys a strong conviction of bravery in the pursuit of justice. She is determined to bury her brother at all costs even if it means defying King Creone and losing her own life. She says, “I shall lie down with him in death, and I shall be as dear to him as he to me” (Sophocles 1023).  This declaration is very significant in understanding the issue of feminism in today’s society. 

First of all, during Antigone’s time, patriarchy was very rampant and deeply rooted in Ancient Greece. Men dominated and ruled over the social and political spectrum. The classical mythology assisted men to establish their control over women. With such stakes in place, society already perceived Antigone as inferior. She, however, fought to get what she thought was right and defied her uncle’s orders which made him angry. Creone’s perception of women reflects how men thought about women in Ancient Greece.

In a culture where men assumed the authoritative positions, women had no place in any business that was considered manly. Creone believed that a woman’s position in society was limited. He says, “from now on they’ll act like women. Tie them up, no more running loose” (Sophocles 668). This illustration shows that Creone thought that women should be restrained to reduce disobedience. However, Antigone believed in what she wanted, and her position as a woman in society did not deter her from pursuing it. This determination makes us understand the political and social issues of feminism in the present community. It helps us understand why even in some countries today, women are still considered inferior to men. It also makes us appreciate the feminist movement (Holland 1119). We can understand this because just like Antigone, women in today’s society are strong and independent. Therefore they are not just going to sit quietly and let men rule over them. They feel the need to stand up and fight for their rights and liberties.

The concept of feminism in Antigone can be compared to the modern idea of feminism. In the story, Antigone argues about gender equality as well as equality before God. Her actions also prove that she believes in justice and equality. For example, her motivation to bury her brother can symbolize a lot of things. However, litery analysts perceive it as a statement about divine justice. To do this, Antigone with pleasure contemplates suicide. She says, “I’d welcome/ an early death, living as I do now” (Sophocles 12). This quote shows that she is ready to die for what she believes and would not let herself be brought down because she is a woman. This illustration can is comparable with feminism in today’s society. For example, a contemporary feminist movement called ‘Me-Too Movement’ fights for the rights of abused women. The movement aims to show women who have suffered from abuse or harassment that they are not alone. The organization is ready to defend the rights of women who have been abused no matter the consequences (Wagner, para 4). For example, in 2018, advocates of the movement defended a woman who was being abused by a prominent figure in government. Despite the threats by relevant government officials, the senior members of this movement fought and won the battle. Just like Antigone, they were willing to die for the course of justice and to fight for equality and justice for women.

Works Cited

Holland, Catherine A. “After Antigone: Women, the past, and the future of feminist political thought.” American Journal of Political Science 42 (2014): 1108-1132.

Sophocles. Antigone. Ed. Martin Puchner. Norton Anthology of World Literature, Volume 1. W.W. Norton and Co. Inc. New York, 2017

Wagner, Cate. “Modern Feminism Has Been Painted As A Man-Hating Movement, But Is That Unfair?”. Now To Love, 2018, https://www.nowtolove.com.au/lifestyle/daily-life/5-ways-modern-feminism-improved-society-45586. Accessed 16 Feb 2019.

 
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