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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page research paper/essay that examines role of women in Greek society as depicted in the ancient Greek play by Sophocles, Antigone. The write argues that while Antigone defies male authority, this action should be viewed in light of how she perceived defiance of Creon as her religious duty. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khanfero.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
and social rights as men, in ancient Athens, women had no more political or legal rights granted to them than did slaves (Flaceliere 55). Furthermore, socially, Athenian wives were largely
confined to their homes and prohibited from venturing into public areas (Beard 30). They were responsible for bearing and raising children, spinning and weaving, and managing their households and their
lives were strictly defined by these occupations (Beard 30). Women were also responsible for one more social area--burying the dead--and it is conflict over this responsibility that forms the basis
for Sophocles classic tragedy Antigone. Antigones brothers created a civil war as they battled over the throne of Thebes. Antigone subsequently insists that she be allowed to bury her
brother, as she believes it to be part of her duty to the gods to conduct the funeral rites as dictates by Greek culture. Without proper funeral rites, the Greeks
believed that the deceased could not enter the afterlife, which made the necessity for this ritual even more compelling. Antigone expresses the opinion that the states interests and right to
her brother ended with his death and that if she does not bury him, she risks offending the gods herself. For Antigone, the fact that Creon has evoked the power
of patriarchal privilege and set society against her is not sufficient justification for ignoring what she perceived to be a higher duty. Therefore, she defies male authority. Sophocles contrasts
this decision against the stance taken by Antigones sister, Ismene, who readily accepts the restrictions placed on the role of women in Greek society, which dictates that women must be
subservient to male authority. Ismene tries to persuade Antigone to abandon her quest, as she realizes that this will lead inevitably to her sisters death. Ismene tells Antigone: "For this
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