Women In Society

Question 1

Introduction
Discuss the view that women in classical literature suffer for challenging the authority of men.

Answer 1

• Women in Classical Athens were often discouraged from challenging the authority of men.
• Women were prominent members of the ancient world however Athenian women were allowed to take no part in
• Athenian democracy, and they were always under the control of a male guardian such as a husband or father.
• They did not have any control or power and therefore had to submit to the demands of her husband or male relatives.
• The plays Antigone and Oedipus the King by Sophocles both explore the theme of women in various ways.
• In this essay I will discuss the view that women in classical literature suffer for challenging the authority of men by looking at: the character of Antigone who suffers for challenging the authority of men when she stands up against the king Creon and dies as a result; the character of Ismene who suffers for challenging the authority of men as she changes her mind too late and is refused the ability by Creon to die with her sister Antigone; and the character of Jocasta who suffers for challenging the authority of men as she kills herself after a dismissive argument with her husband Oedipus the King.

Question 2

Women in the classical world

Answer 2

• women feature a lot in classical literature - usually are not deotced in the best light
• many women are depicted as being the catalyst for a disaster or standing up agaisnt male authority
• women in ancient greece were often considered to be subordinate to men
• women in athens had no political voice
• women were also often treated as property such as being involved in arranged marriages
• characters of Antigone, Ismene and Jocasta explore the theme of the postion of women in society through their actions and the consequences

Question 3

Antigone following traditional role

Answer 3

• a sense of duty to her family (wants to bury her brother)
• a strong sense of faith (shows respect for the gods even when it goes against the laws of the king)
• is in an arranged marriage to Haemon with the expectation to be a dutiful wife
• under the control of her oldest male relative

Question 4

Antigone defying her traditional role

Answer 4

• goes agaisnt the authoity of the king/state
• defies the will of her uncle
• goes outside without permission (when she is speaking to ismene and for the burial)
• she wants the glory/recognition of being the one who buried Polynices whihc is a very masculine trait in ancient times (kills herself)

Question 5

Ismene following following traditional role

Answer 5

• argues with Antigone that they should remian inside the palace
• accpets her postion of being subordinate to men/fears for antigone when she defies Creons orders
• tries to convince antigone not to stand up agasint the power of the state

Question 6

Ismene defying traditional role

Answer 6

• does not have the same strenght of faith to bury her brother after he dies
• tries to take some of the blame for antigones actions (which antigone does not allow her to do)

Question 7

Jocasta following traditional role

Answer 7

• provides oedipus with four children
• tries to help her husband when he needs support
• prays to the god Apollo (scene 3) - although she claims not to worry about what the gods say, she does look for advice and protection from the gods for oedipus

Question 8

Jocasta defying traditional role

Answer 8

• not a good example for greek women as she is a queen in a royal household (Athens was a democracy with no royal family)
• jocasta seems to be very open and vocal aorund oedipus, the chorus and tiresias (this would not be typical of greek women)
• she exposes her baby without much upset or emotion