Antigone Research Paper

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Myths reflect a nation’s character, no matter how romanticised or fantastical those myths are. Glimpses of the culture of a nation during a particular moment in time can be drawn from such stories. In such a manner, examining the way women are treated in the popular plays of antiquity offer us insight on the status of women in ancient Greek society. From Euripides’ Medea, modern audiences can see that Greek women were secondary to Greek men in the society widely regarded as the birthplace of democracy. Antigone by Sophocles portrays a different representation of women as Antigone is allowed the chance to be the hero though this is not reflective of Greek society where women were restricted to the domestic sphere.
Euripides’ adaptation of the story of Jason and Medea picks up after Jason has acquired the Golden Fleece and the two have returned to Corinth. Medea has left her family and people behind to be with Jason and help him succeed, even at the cost of her brother’s life. Medea is lamenting the betrayal of Jason, who has married the Princess of Corinth. Jason attempts to justify himself by saying he has married her for money and power and that he will keep Medea at his side as his mistress, but Medea is infuriated and intends to punish Jason. She does so by killing not only the Princess …show more content…
Here there is no differentiation between royalty and commoners as brides from both stations of life have this expectation placed upon them. It is plain that women are paying exorbitant amounts to their future husbands whose is role is to be master of the women’s bodies. Arranged marriages were not uncommon during this time period, often between young girls and men much older than them. Her monologue later on continues to discuss how men have the freedom to leave their homes whilst women are only safe when confined within the family

Antigone Research Paper

or aspect of life. Women have been labeled lower in status, or inferior, to men for thousands of years by their belittlement of women’s dignity. The topic of inferiority is present in literature, since people could write. In the Greek mythology, “Antigone”, written by Sophocles and translated by Robert Fagles, portrays the perspective of female inferiority. Ismene, Antigone’s sister, is arguing with…

Words 1642 - Pages 7

Antigone Research Paper

“Antigone” is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. It was performed for the first time in Athens in 442 B.C., during a ceremony honouring Dionysus, the God of wine and fertility in ancient Greece. The tragedy is the last one of the three Theban plays which include the “Oedipus Rex” and the “Oedipus at Colonos” as well. The play narrates the sequence of events which lead to the death of Antigone, who was born from the incestous relationship between Oedipus and his mother Jocasta and had three other…

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Antigone Research Paper

justified, the broken law itself must be corrupt or unjust. Antigone, the sister to Eteocles and Polyneices, encounters this situation…

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Antigone Research Paper

Moral Imperative to Family Duty in the Antigone In Sophocles' play "Antigone," we see the protagonist, Antigone, struggle with family duty, which emerges as a strong moral imperative that influences her actions. Throughout the play, Antigone struggles between her commitment to her family and the requests of societal and political authority. This altercation between familial and civic responsibilities is central to the moral landscape of the play. Shaping Antigone's decision-making leads to her clash…

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Antigone And Creon Research Paper

Power “Now if she thus can flout authority, unpunished, I am woman, she the man.” -Creon (484-485) In ancient times, all over the world, women were considered inferior to men. Women in ancient Greece, as well as in other religions, did not have any political rights, official power, and were not educated. Because of this, Antigone’s gender is a problem for Creon since he does not recognize her opinion. “No woman shall be the master while I live.” -Creon (524) Woman held no official…

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Antigone And Creon Research Paper

Rylee Cooper Sarah Stewart English 1302 25 April 2024 Creon’s Fate In Sophocles’s Antigone there are two heroes: Antigone and Creon. Although the play is titled after Antigone, she is merely the sacrifice made to trigger the true devastation. The tragic hero is none other than Creon, who loses everything in an attempt to do what is right. Using Aristotle’s characteristics of a tragic hero, Creon’s legitimacy as the hero is proven through his motives, bravery, humanistic faults, and unwavering morals…

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Antigone Annotated Bibliography

AA Annotated bibliography Topic of Research- Antigone Working Thesis Sentence- Both “Remarks at Michigan State University” and “Day of Affirmation” are ideal speeches that I can use within my analysis to strength my argument. First Source: Clinton, William. “Remarks at Michigan State University”. 5 May 1995, pp.481-484. Antigone Module Opening Page, https://alamo.instructure.com/courses/1112121/ pages/antigone-module-opening-page. Canvas, https://alamo.instructure.com. William J. Clinton’s speech…

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