The View Of Women In Early Greece

Throughout many early Greek works women are looked down upon. Occasionally, women such a Sappho and Antigone arise, who contradict the established view of women. They are strong and do not allow their lives to be ruled by the set standards for women. Nonetheless, the archetypal idea of women in early Greece is a female who does not contend with men and follows the rules set by society. While some characters encourage these ideals, others make a valid effort to set their own rules.

The character of Ismene is not one to go against the law or make trouble for herself. Whether or not it is what she truly believes, she rules many of her actions by the notion that women "do not fight with men, [they are] subject to them because they are stronger." (62-63) However, her sister Antigone is not the type of woman to accept societies set roles for women. Therefore, when she pleads with Antigone to leave Polynices' corpse alone, this argument does not hold strong. Antigone responds with cutting remarks, hinting a sense of weakness that she feels in her sister. She simply tells her sister to be the way she chooses to be, and alludes to her own strength and heroic character. This is one of the main reasons why Creon feels kinder notions towards Ismene.

Creon is utterly outraged by Antigone's actions. Not only did she openly disregard his orders and break the law, but she, as a woman, undermined the authority of a man. Creon continually refers to men's superiority over women and the ideas that women should be kept in check and letting them run wild is a dangerous move. Creon believes that "there must be no surrender to a woman," (678) and tells Haeon that "if we fall, better a man should take us downÐ'...never say that a woman bested us!" (680-681) When talking to Haemon, Creon makes it clear that Antigone was a "bad" and "hostile woman. He tells his son "you'll have a frigid squeeze between the sheets if you shack up with a hostile woman." (650-651) He also expresses his disgust with Antigone to Ismene when he tells her, "I loath bad womenÐ'...she's not for my son." (571) Although Ismene probably does not have such contempt for women, she understands their role in society and that women must not emasculate men. For that reason, he would respond quite well to Ismene's words and have a high opinion of her. She is a woman kept in check and is in no disposition to defy set laws. Various other characters in early Greek writing would also appreciate a woman like Ismene.

One person in particular who would agree with Ismene is Pericles. Thoughout the entirely of the Funeral Oration, Pericles continuously refers to the men who are defending the homes, men bringing honor to the name of Athens, men being worthy of the city, etc. These specific references are understandable due to