Similarities Between Medea And Antigone

In the early 400s B.C., two works, the first Medea by Euripides and the second, Antigone by Sophocles, entered Greek culture, exposing its anxieties through the roles of women. Both authors presented the lives of women in light of a prestigious society in order to make a point concerning the way others falsely viewed women. Specifically, in the narratives, Medea and Antigone respond to conflict in an assertive fashion, rather than submissively. This characteristic which, according to societal standards, ought not to be known to women, causes others to view them as foolish, impulsive women; regardless of the societal pressures and judgements, they relentlessly pursued their goals. Because of the women’s actions and words, others viewed them as impulsive and foolish. In the first work by Euripides, society viewed Medea as foolish because of her emotional outbreaks and the illogical or unreasonable

Ismene’s encounter with Antigone’s assertive behavior depicts how the women viewed Antigone. In the narrative, Antigone expressed her strategy to her sister Ismene in an intense way. Antigone said to her, “I am going to bury my brother-your brother!- with or without your help. I won’t betray him.” Ismene replied, “You scare me sister. Keon’s forbidden this” (749). The intensity of Antigone showed the bravery of her heart and her desire to confront the authority and gain justice; however, Ismene did not gain courage or desire to join in as Antigone had hoped. Conversely, Antigone’s determination truly scared her. Perhaps it’s rooted in the fact that women normally did not express strong emotion, nor did they involve themselves in politics as Antigone did through actively opposing King Kreon’s authority. Or simply, Ismene felt belittled by the oppressive assertiveness of her older sister, and in response wanted to have no part in any of her