Antigone Sacrifice Analysis
Lakota Godsey
Professor Schindler
May 1, 2015
Sacrificing Womanhood: Antigone
In Sophocles’ Antigone, an obvious power struggle between men and women exists as they are bound by traditional gender roles. Antigone, the antagonist, becomes dissatisfied with the powerlessness and supposed inferiority of Greek women. She disturbs the traditional gender roles by going against the king’s commands and sacrificing herself for her brother. She insists that her extreme family loyalty drives her to sacrifice herself, but her dialogue with the other characters reveals that her own selfishness greatly influences her sacrifice as well. Antigone’s dissatisfaction with the traditional woman reveals that her ulterior motive behind her sacrifice is …show more content…
Antigone’s familial loyalty and her frustration with traditional gender roles are both apparent in the opening lines of the play as her sister, Ismene, refuses to help her bury
Polyneices. Ismene’s claim that “We must remember, first, that we two are by nature women and not fit to fight with men” (6162) suggests that she strictly adheres to her supposed gender roles.
Antigone rejects Ismene’s contentment with female inferiority and with dishonoring Polyneices;
Antigone’s main priority is her family and she cannot comprehend why Ismene prioritizes obeying the king’s commands over her own family. Antigone’s extreme familial loyalty is apparent as she insists that she doesn’t care to die while trying to bury and honor her brother
(72.) Obviously, Antigone would gladly do anything for her family. However, Ismene is not as willing to sacrifice her life for her family; because of Ismene’s cowardice, Antigone …show more content…
Antigone thinks that Ismene is trying to take the credit for her heroism, and she becomes outraged. Antigone, despite Ismene’s pleas to stop, mocks her. Antigone’s mocking reveals that she feels prideful and superior because of her actions. It can be assumed that Antigone thinks she’s better than Ismene, and that’s why she insults her; Antigone thinks that Ismene isn’t honorable enough to sacrifice herself. Antigone, after the sacrifice, wants to be known for her nobility, heroism, and bravery. However, if she was sacrificing herself for her brother, she wouldn’t need the recognition and attention that she obviously craves. But, because she insists that everyone knows of her greatness and nobility, it can be assumed that her true intentions behind the sacrifice are for self benefit only.
When Antigone sacrifices herself, she also sacrifices her womanhood. She behaves in a manner completely opposite of what Greek women should behave in, and she sacrifices her marriage, which is a woman’s sole purpose. Her rejection of the conventional woman’s
Professor Schindler
May 1, 2015
Sacrificing Womanhood: Antigone
In Sophocles’ Antigone, an obvious power struggle between men and women exists as they are bound by traditional gender roles. Antigone, the antagonist, becomes dissatisfied with the powerlessness and supposed inferiority of Greek women. She disturbs the traditional gender roles by going against the king’s commands and sacrificing herself for her brother. She insists that her extreme family loyalty drives her to sacrifice herself, but her dialogue with the other characters reveals that her own selfishness greatly influences her sacrifice as well. Antigone’s dissatisfaction with the traditional woman reveals that her ulterior motive behind her sacrifice is …show more content…
Antigone’s familial loyalty and her frustration with traditional gender roles are both apparent in the opening lines of the play as her sister, Ismene, refuses to help her bury
Polyneices. Ismene’s claim that “We must remember, first, that we two are by nature women and not fit to fight with men” (6162) suggests that she strictly adheres to her supposed gender roles.
Antigone rejects Ismene’s contentment with female inferiority and with dishonoring Polyneices;
Antigone’s main priority is her family and she cannot comprehend why Ismene prioritizes obeying the king’s commands over her own family. Antigone’s extreme familial loyalty is apparent as she insists that she doesn’t care to die while trying to bury and honor her brother
(72.) Obviously, Antigone would gladly do anything for her family. However, Ismene is not as willing to sacrifice her life for her family; because of Ismene’s cowardice, Antigone …show more content…
Antigone thinks that Ismene is trying to take the credit for her heroism, and she becomes outraged. Antigone, despite Ismene’s pleas to stop, mocks her. Antigone’s mocking reveals that she feels prideful and superior because of her actions. It can be assumed that Antigone thinks she’s better than Ismene, and that’s why she insults her; Antigone thinks that Ismene isn’t honorable enough to sacrifice herself. Antigone, after the sacrifice, wants to be known for her nobility, heroism, and bravery. However, if she was sacrificing herself for her brother, she wouldn’t need the recognition and attention that she obviously craves. But, because she insists that everyone knows of her greatness and nobility, it can be assumed that her true intentions behind the sacrifice are for self benefit only.
When Antigone sacrifices herself, she also sacrifices her womanhood. She behaves in a manner completely opposite of what Greek women should behave in, and she sacrifices her marriage, which is a woman’s sole purpose. Her rejection of the conventional woman’s