1. If you lived in the society described in Antigone, would you rather be a man or a woman? Why?

 

2. To what extent is a person's social status a result of their gender in the play?

 

3. To what extent are women's voices listened to in the play?

 

4. What kind of language is used to describe women? How are they spoken to by other characters, particularly those who hold power over them? How do women speak to one another?

 

⅗ said woman (girls saying this)

⅕ said man (guy saying this)

⅕ said i don’t know (girl)

Men were treated with higher respect, women don’t get a say in things, however, still majority would rather be a woman. Not exactly sure why, but we would.

 

 Men are treated better, women treated like objects and creature, men are more valued, looks down on women and thinks they’re inferior

 

Not listened to at all until it’s too late and the men realise there was some sense in their actions

Lots of disrespect, talk about them as if they are objects. Men, particularly Creon, kept using the word ‘creatures’ implying they are revolting and stupid things, not even animals, not even people. It talks about them as if they don’t matter, they are easily replaceable. Spoken down upon and belittled, people are rude and dismissive of them. Most women just accept that they are powerless. The women we see are sisters so they have a very sibling relationship- they have very different personalities and views on the situation, Antigone not wanting to accept her ‘fate’, and Ismene giving up and saying “what more can I do?”.

I would prefer to have been a man at the time that Antigone is set as men have the ability to make their own decisions and have freedoms that women had not yet been granted. Women were viewed as powerless objects that could be controlled and should act compliant to all commands from men. By being a man, you would have the safety and protection of being the ‘superior’ gender. 

I would prefer to be a woman during this time because I wouldn't have to make decisions as I am very indecisive while certain issues I am passionate about I prefer to be quiet. It’s not because I believe that men should be powerful over women, they should be equal, it's more that my personality is suited to not having power.

I would prefer to be a man because of the unequal gender roles and expectations that were withheld for women. It is extremely unideal to be a woman at this stage, as their man role is to give birth and provide ‘services’ to your husband.

To an extent a person’s social status is a result of their gender, in that society men were always on the top. They are the kings, prophets, and guards. Women have to listen to whatever the men/ husbands say no matter what the position of a man is and they are able to dismiss them. Antigone and Ismene couldn’t inherit the throne unlike their brothers, they have no control over their life. Any women who dares to disobey are seen as being a mad. 

If it’s regarding the play. A person’s social status results because of their gender, in that society, men and women were being treated differently. Mens are always known to be more superior than women while women have no rights to speak what’s on their mind and have to always listen or do what the males have to tell them to. When becoming the next heir, even if the female is a first born. They wouldn’t allow the female to become the next heir unless they were a male. Even when females ascend to the throne, the kingdom won’t take it lightly and spread rumours or racist thoughts across the country.

A person’s social status is partly due to their gender as women are limited to what they are able to do regardless of their family’s status/reputation. They are generally held in a lower regard than men since their purposes are essentially predefined for them.

A person’s social status are ultimately determined by intangible factors in the play, and most prominently it is their gender. They are treated as a sub-human class, and because of the role that they fulfil, they aren’t truly respected.

Women’s voices are listened but it is generally if it is for evidence but it is dismissed, otherwise the only women that is inherently listened to is the Queen. 

Within this play the women’s voices are not listened to by Creon, who is the only person who needs to listen to their opinions and beliefs. However, although Creon disregards Antigone’s and Ismene’s voice, the Chorus and the people of Thebes do consider their arguments and the people of Thebes even side with Antigone and her demand that Polyneices be buried with proper burial rights. 

Evidence shown in the play about whether women’s voices are listened to within the play, women’s voices against arguments are not normally listened to. Even if the opinions of women are correct, others wouldn’t take it as a suggestion. Apart from other women in the society, the queen is the one who voices opinions and others would have listened but depending on the king, even a queen couldn’t voice their opinion openly.   

“The wildest horse”

“Hardly in her right mind either”

“Creatures both are mad” 

“There are other fields for him to plough”

“Vile a creature”

“The proper place for women”- Proper place for women where they can’t be seen

“Find a mate in Hades”

“Wiles of a women”

“Worthless one”

Considering Creon and his lens, women’s voices aren’t considered fully in the play, they are heard, but not listened to. 

 

Women are described in a dehumanizing manner by other men with more power, which can be contrasted with how they speak to each other- where they speak in a respectful, kind manner. 

-“Antigone; we are women; it is not for us to fight against men; our rulers are stronger than we, and we must obey in this, or worse than this” : Ismene, pg 128

-“I cannot act against the state, I am not strong enough” : Ismene, pg 128