The View of Women in Early Greece

Throughout many early Greek works women are looked down upon. Occasionally, women such a Sappho and Antigone arise, who contradict the established view of women. They are strong and do not allow their lives to be ruled by the set standards for women. Nonetheless, the archetypal idea of women in early Greece is a female who does not contend with men and follows the rules set by society. While some characters encourage these ideals, others make a valid effort to set their own rules.

The character of Ismene is not one to go against the law or make trouble for herself. Whether or not it is what she truly believes, she rules many of her actions by the notion that women "do not fight with men, [they are] subject to them because they are stronger." (62-63) However, her sister Antigone is not the type of woman to accept societies set roles for women. Therefore, when she pleads with Antigone to leave Polynices' corpse alone, this argument does not hold strong. Antigone responds with cutting remarks, hinting a sense of weakness that she