Antigone: Bravery or Feminism

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burial. After presenting the case to her sister, Ismene, you can see the traditional role of women in this day. She tells Antigone, “You ought to realize that we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men, and that we are ruled, by those who are stronger” (ll. 70- 72). Ismene quickly gives the excuse of powerlessness simply for being a woman. She restates this idea when she tells Antigone “you are in love with the impossible” (ll. 104- 105). Ismene thinks the idea of burying her brother is not worth looking into knowing that it is not possible due to them being women, meaning they are inferior and vulnerable, a common thought during those times. Women did not speak against men and especially not political matters. Ismene loves her brother and wishes for his proper burial but is powerless, not because she is a woman, but because she chooses to be powerless. She lets her gender role control her and her actions. A quite contrast from her strongwilled sister, ...

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