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Antigone: Gender Roles In Today's Society

760 Words4 Pages
How many times have you been in a situation where gender roles played a major factor? Gender roles affect every aspect of our life. The gender roles of males and females both develop as a pattern of behavior based on genes. Males and females are expected to follow certain gender roles in today’s society. In the play Antigone, the main character shows a simple example of a courageous woman defying her gender limits. Gender roles are very important by creating tension in the story. Antigone is a great illustration of how gender roles can be defied and overcome, just as women in today’s society are shattering the glass ceiling.
In the beginning of ancient Greece, women had as many rights as the slaves. Women would live under the control of their father, husband or other male relatives. Women would not leave their household, but instead spent all day taking care of their house. Men had the upper hand. Women were traditionally passive. Women were in control of staying home to take care of their children. Men provided food for the family through the day. Women focused their lives towards labor and religion. “Men had the dominant role in public life in ancient Greece” (Rymer). This system in society conceited women to take care of the house while the men took care of harder things. Women were not allowed outside without a male escort. Women were treated like slaves while taking care of housework. However, women are still facing gender roles through society today. Gender roles
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