Published Writing #1: The Magnitude of an Alpha Males Ego

In the play Antigone by Sophocles, Creon became the ruler of Thebes after the two heirs to the throne, Polyneices and Eteocles, killed each other over who would predominantly rule Thebes. Due to his destruction of the city, Creon ordered that Polyneices’ dead body would not have proper burial rights. Polyneices’ sister Antigone, defied this rule and went on to bury her brother’s body. Creon then punished Antigone for defying his request. Creon and Antigone’s conflict displays sexism caused by their pride. Creon as a man, sees himself above women; however, Antigone’s actions prove that she too displays pride in being a woman.

Creon’s actions toward Antigone for honoring her brother, but defying him displays sexism. It can be said that Creon felt disrespected by Antigone going against him, however one can say that he felt particularly hurt because she is a female. Creon states,  “If we must accept defeat, let it be from a man; we must not let people say that a women beat us” (Sophocles, 1147). Creon’s statement displays an ego in his manhood, which shows that he sees women to be beneath men. For example, Antigone is Haemon’s soon to be spouse and she also became a noble hero to Thebes for defying Creon. Haemon attempted to save her for himself and Thebes. As Haemon confirmed, “... She will not die by my side. But you will never again set eyes upon my face” (Sophocles, 1150). However, Creon’s punishment for Antigone was sentencing her to death. Consequently, Haemon stabbed himself in an attempt to murder Creon for Antigone’s death. Furthermore, Creon’s wife committed suicide after Haemon’s death. Creon’s pride left him with a dead spouse and son.

Another example of gender bias in the play is demonstrated when Ismene attempted to prevent Antigone from defying Creon, which meant not giving Polyneices a proper burial.

Ismene explained that Antigone should not oppose Creon’s rule because she’s a woman and Creon is a man. As Ismene declared, “you ought to understand we are women, not meant in nature to fight against men” (Sophocles, 1131). From Ismene’s point of view, women are born weaker than men and Antigone would suffer for attempting to provoke Creon. Antigone pridefully ignored Ismene’s theory and went on to give her brother a burial. This exhibits Antigone’s way of proving that women can stand up to men, as she stood up to Creon and didn’t fear dying to do so. As Antigone explained “... I myself will bury him. It will be good to die, so doing.” (Sophocles, 1132).

            Ultimately, Creon and Antigone’s pride resulted in their deaths. Creon’s strong
belief that man is greater than woman caused the death of Haemon, Eurydice and Antigone.
His pride pressured him to sentence Antigone to death, regardless of Haemon’s wish.
One can say Antigone’s desire to bury Polyneices body was for her morality, but also her ambition to prove that women can battle men.