The Destruction of Gender Hierarchies in Antigone Essay Example
“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women,” says Maya Angelou, a poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Angelou suggests that a woman who makes a change in society doesn’t just do it for herself, she does it for all women. Similarly, Antigone in Sophocles’ Antigone breaks these stereotypes in order to stand up for her own beliefs while also unintentionally standing up for all women in the process. Creon, the leader of Thebes perpetuates gender stereotypes through his actions and rhetoric while also creating a sense of competition between the genders; however, Antigone exposes Creon for his sexist ways and destroys the gender hierarchies he has set proving that no gender should be considered superior.
From the very beginning of Sophocles' Antigone, Creon’s sexism is apparent as he appears derisive of women while suggesting that women were born to be a sidekick to men. Furthermore, Creon objectifies women as he inhumanely draws connections to them while alluding to many gender-specific stereotypes. This is first seen when Creon subtly dehumanizes women through the use of imagery while giving orders to the guards: “Stop wasting time. Take them in. From now on they'll act like women. Tie them up, no more running loose; even the bravest will cut and run, once they see Death coming for their lives” (ll 150-152). Antigone’s resistance and public defiance of Creon’s law fails to meet the expectations of women. In Creon’s worldview, women should stay in their place and act accordingly. In essence, they shouldn’t try to be different; rather, they should conform to the norm society expects them to follow. As Creon continues, he uses words like “tie them up” and “no more running loose,” suggesting that he thinks of Antigone as an animal. This comparison of women to wild animals further proves Creon’s discrimination towards women. Just like domestic beasts, Creon believes women are to be confined with ropes. Additionally, his rhetoric while expressing that “even the bravest will cut and run,” implies that no woman on earth is brave enough to fight when they are threatened with death. Creon begins to associate bravery with masculinity and starts to differentiate men and women. As the play progresses, Creon’s prejudice is made increasingly evident. While speaking to Haemon, Creon tries to guide Haemon and prevent him from making a mistake: “Oh Haemon, never lose your sense of judgment over a woman. The warmth, the rush of pleasure, it all goes cold in your arms, I warn you ... a worthless woman in your house, a misery in your bed. What wound cuts deeper than a loved one turned against you? Spit her out, like a mortal enemy—let the girl go” (725). Creon clearly thinks women are not worth the time and when he advises Haemon to “never lose [his] sense of judgment over a woman” Creon implies that women are not meant to make decisions. Furthermore, Creon perceives a woman’s opinion as insignificant. While depicting women as irrelevant, he also portrays them as unreliable. His use of “warmth, the rush of pleasure, it all goes cold in your arms” shows that Creon sees them as unloyal as “warmth” and “cold” are polar opposites and therefore symbolize the lack of dependability in women. Similarly, Creon’s use of “rush of pleasure” implies that Creon thinks of women as temporary. Not only does Creon patronize women, he also subtly sexualizes them through the use of “arms” and “bed.” Creon’s words give off the idea that women are only there for a man’s pleasure and are merely a second to men in the grand scheme of life. Ultimately, Creon sustains this idea of inferiority in women and uses it to suppress them.
As the play progresses, Creon’s rhetoric suggests that gender is a competition between men and women in which men must remain superior. Creon consistently ensures that men are seen as superior to women and paints characters who fight this idea as weak. While arguing with Haemon, Creon describes him as a “woman’s slave” as Haemon takes the side of Antigone. Creon’s rhetoric depicts Haemon as feeble-minded as Creon has continued to look down upon women. Creon believes that Haemon’s mind has been poisoned by Antigone proving that Creon feels the need to see everything from the lens of gender. Furthermore, Creon’s association of Haemon with weakness due to Haemon’s support of Antigone shows his disdain towards characters who oppose him. This idea of a man’s superiority over a woman in Creon’s eyes is shown again in an exchange between Creon and Antigone: “I am not the man, not now: she is the man if this victory goes to her and she goes free. Never!” Creon essentially explains how he is weak if Antigone manages to avoid punishment. In other words, he would “not [be] the man,” and she must be like a man in order to succeed. Creon also uses the word “victory” which is often associated with competitions. While victory pertains to Antigone averting punishment, it also can be interpreted as a victory between men and women. In Creon’s eyes, a victory for Antigone would be overcoming a man’s superiority over women and destroying these limits he sets on women. The idea of competition is replicated once again when Creon explains to Haemon, “we must defend the men who live by law, never let some woman triumph over us. Better to fall from power, if fall we must, at the hands of a man —never be rated inferior to a woman, never.”
Creon is determined to keep a sense of superiority over women and is willing to fall from power to prevent a woman at power as long as it is “at the hands of a man.” Furthermore, Creon uses words like “defend” and “triumph” to describe his thoughts. Both of these words are generally associated with war. Likewise, Creon sees gender as a battle of the sexes that men must win. Creon’s flawed perspective on gender portrays him as foolish and sexist.
Antigone, a female character who opposes Creon, exposes Creon’s sexist ideals and fights the stereotypes Creon tries to constrain her to. Early on in the play, Antigone is faced with the struggle of conquering the challenges thrown at her by Creon as well as evading his sexism towards her and other female characters. However, Antigone’s determination allows her to break these barriers. In a conversation with Ismene to open up the play, Antigone promptly takes the side of her family without any fear or hesitation: “I will bury him myself. And even if I die in the act, that death will be a glory. I will lie with the one I love and loved by him.” Antigone explains how death is not something she fears, and she would willingly overcome it to side with her family. Antigone says this in response to Ismene who succumbs to Creon’s view on women when she mentions that women are not born to contend with men. This bravery exemplified by Antigone directly combats Creon who is of the belief that women would cut and run once they see death coming for their lives. Antigone puts her own desires over Creon’s ego and expectations. Antigone continues to follow her own desires as the play advances and doesn’t adhere to the standards set by Creon and greek society. While confidently debating with Creon, Antigone doesn’t shy away from punishment and continues to confront Creon: “These laws —I was not about to break them, not out of fear of some man's wounded pride.” Antigone is not afraid to be honest about breaking the law, in fact, she is adamant about everyone knowing. Creon’s “wounded pride” does not affect her, and she will not let his ego reroute her. While doing this, Antigone also exposes the flaws in Creon’s belief of the stereotypes directed towards women. Throughout the play, Creon has suggested that women are incapable of making decisions and easily switch up. However, Antigone’s unwavering loyalty towards her family despite Creon’s attempts in dissuading her contrasts Creon’s argument proving him completely wrong.
Throughout the play, women are often looked at as weak and as a second to men. They are expected to act orderly, obedient, and passive, and to be housewives who follow the direction of men. Furthermore, they are sometimes objectified and treated unfairly. In Antigone, Creon has no respect for women and diminishes their roles in order to keep them in a powerless state while Antigone defies his expectations instead. Sophocles’ use of a female protagonist opposing Creon’s sexist ways helps him convey the idea that no gender is superior. In society, people shouldn’t be expected to act a certain way because of their gender. Instead, they should act freely and not feel pressured to give in to fictitious standards.
