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Submitted By: Asad Raza

Submitted To: Ms, Faiza Aleem

Assignment: Greek Drama

BSELC 01163010

Semester 6th

Gender Reversal Role in Oedipus at Colonus

Theban Plays of Sophocles picture very strong characters of women. One of the brightest

protagonists of the plays is Antigone, who challenged the law of state under penalty of death for

the sake of divine law and his brother’s honour. This act of disobedience eventually caused

political and legal reform in Ancient Greece. Antigone challenges not only the royal power of

Creon, the ruler, but his masculine power as well by speaking against his policy that violates

divine traditions. All the play long, Creon repeatedly accused her more of her gender than her act

of disobedience of his order forbidding burial of Antigone’s brother.

  Oedipus, after finding out that he had unknowingly killed his father, King Louis and

married his mother, puts his eyes out and leaves in exile attempting to escape the misery of his

disgrace. Antigone, his daughter, follows him in his wonders. After Oedipus’ death in Colonus,

his two daughters Antigone and Ismene return to their hometown, Thebes. At that time the

Theban throne was taken by Creon after the war between Antigone’s two brothers, Polynices and

Eteocles for the power in the town. Eteocles died in the fight for his country and was rendered a

decent funeral. He’s to be left unwept, unburied, a lovely treasure for birds that scan the field

and feast to their hearts content.

Such, I hear, is the martial law our good Creon lays down for you and me, yes, me, I tell

you-and he’s coming here to alert the uninformed in no uncertain terms, and he won’t treat the
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matter lightly. Whoever disobeys in the least will die, his doom is sealed: stoning to death inside

the city walls! Ismene, Antigone’s sister, obeys the law. She does so because she knows that

women are too weak to resist state and men’s power.

Shall we not perish...

If in defiance of the law, we cross

A monarch's will? -Weak women, think of that,

Not framed by nature to contend with men.

Remember this too, that the stronger rules;

We must obey his orders, these or worse.

On the contrary, Antigone openly condemns the decree. The ruling of Creon, she

declares, violates the divine law stating that all people should be decently buried in order to be

able to live peacefully in afterward. She breaks the rules by burying Polynices, throwing a

ceremonial handful of dust on his body. Arrested by the guard and facing Creon, Antigone

admits her disobedience’ but says that her father was evoked by the respect for divine law which

is precedent over that made by men. In accusing Antigone, Creon first of all touches upon the

matter of sex and her female nature:

But this proud girl, in insolence well-schooled,

First overstepped the established law, and then--

A second and worse act of insolence--

She boasts and glories in her wickedness.

Now if she thus can flout authority

Unpunished, I am woman, she the man.

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Figurative in her boldness and courage Antigone acquired what was deemed at that time

to be male traits of character. In retaliation, Creon punishes her by sentencing to be buried alive

in the tomb notwithstanding the fact that she is betrothed to Haemon, his son. Later, persuaded

by the prophet Teiresias, Creon gives up his decision and goes to the tomb to set Antigone free.

Conclusion

Antigone is not the only woman character depicted by Sophocles. Her sister, Ismene,

serves as a contrast to Antigone’s stance, demonstrating a common attitude existing at that time

concerning the place of women in society and their lack of influence and power. Antigone is the

character that challenges such situation, proving that women can be as clever, wise and strong, as

men, and even more, powerful in their courage and ability to sacrifice for justice and love.