Antigone
By looking at gender differences in Antigone, we can see the importance of the female role within the tragedy, which most readers don’t see. This is important because the story revolves around the power struggle between the main male and female characters, Antigone and Creon. If the female roles were male, the tragic and heroic effect would be diminished. With Antigone containing only male characters, many differences in the ruling of Thebes would occur. When King Oedipus was banished from the city of Thebes, the kingdom was left to be shared by his two sons, Polynices and Etocleos. Having four children, Oedipus’ two sons along with Antigone and Ismene, this would now give Thebes four possible heirs to the throne. This factor alone would give Antigone a whole new setting and change the tone for the entire story. When Etocleos refuses to give up his kingship to Polynices, the dispute is directed between the two brothers, without Antigone and Ismene’s commitment to either side. Being male would force them to take sides, which could turn the battle in a whole new direction. Antigone is loyal to both sides in the story, but as a man she could not be neutral. The act that put Antigone to her death may have never occurred, w . . .
Creon is not lenient, but allows his law to bend slightly; just enough for Antigone to avoid immediate death. If Antigone were male herself, she would affect others less. “O port of death, deaf word, is there no pity for me? And you, Angel of evil, I was dead, and your words are death again. A male would have most likely used a weapon, and suicide would have taken place immediately upon being placed in the vault. When Antigone goes to bury her brother, Polynices, loyalty, love, and her faith in the gods drive her. She shall have food, as the custom is, to absolve the state of her death. The love between Haimon and Antigone is also so intense that Haimon threatens suicide by telling Creon that if he murder’s Antigone, he will kill himself. Creon is outraged that his son is so taken with a woman. Also, Haimon wouldn’t heed the situation, as he does when it involves his beloved Antigone. Without the heart of a woman, Antigone most likely wouldn’t have been so set on this. Had Antigone been male, Creon would have lacked the concern of losing his only son and she could have been killed at once. Passionate love always overpowers family love.
Common topics in this essay:
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