In ancient Greece, women's contribution to society was very minimal. Their rights were less than those of men. Confined to their homes, the role of women in ancient Greece was to bear and raise children. In Antigone written by Sophocles, Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, was as assertive as she was courageous. She chose not to let herself be confined by gender roles or by the authority of King Creon. She challenges the common gender roles expected of women in ancient Greece by opposing the authority of the king. In this essay we will discuss a very important aspect of the position of women in Greek at the time, as well as the play. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayAntigone was brave and determined. she chose death rather than being forced into servitude in the male-dominated society of ancient Greece, as depicted in the play. This greatly disrupts the way the game and traditional gender values ​​of ancient Greece viewed women. The other women, including Ismene and King Creon's wife, chose to quietly take their place below the men. Antigone was their exact opposite, in their traits, their values ​​and their choices. For example, Ismene, his sister, was submissive and weak. Even though she finds the king's decree very unfair, she knows that her role in society is to be seen and not heard. She fears and respects Creon's authority both as a king and as a man. Even for her brother's burial, she always respects the king's order and tries to convince Antigone not to go against a royal decree. Ismene says, we are only ladies; we will not fight with the Antigone men! The law is solid, we must submit to it. This also depicts the situation of women in the play's general audience and in ancient Greece. It shows the role of gender roles in the society where the play takes place and also in ancient Greece. Women think they are unimportant, weak and unimportant, just like men have defined them. Additionally, Antigone's progressive character is very disruptive by ancient Greek standards. She sought to challenge many established norms regarding the gender role she is expected to fulfill in society. This is evidenced by the fact that she buries her brother despite the king's warning. King Creon was determined to defeat her. He wanted to defeat her so badly because she was a woman, letting her win would have serious consequences. She would have broken divine law. Antigone refuses to live under patriarchal oppression and her defiance represents her refusal to assume her role as a woman in society and threatens the hierarchical structures of society in the play and since she refused to act in a subservient manner. The king argued that she could not win. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, Antigone challenges her traditional gender roles in ancient Greece. She challenges male authority and contests traditions. She does all kinds of things that were not accepted in ancient Greece. She pushes Creon to his limits as a male authority. Antigone is the symbol of the ultimate challenge and presents a transparent view of gender roles in the play and in ancient Greece as well..