women in ancient greek society

Ancient Greek society held a long-term belief that women were inferior to men, holding a place where women were expected to stay at home and obey the laws and rules of men. However, the Greek playwright Sophocles and the Greek philosopher Plato attempts to alter this view. They both exemplify greater moral character through women in the works Antigone and the Republic.
As Sophocles’ Antigone rebels against the male dominated society, she does not characterize the average Greek women of this time. Although she has weaknesses as other women do, Antigone is strong enough to defy the city and pursue justice. Believing in the higher justice over state justice, she conveys her audacity to follow her beliefs. Although the Greeks have a rather negative view of women in society, it is through Antigone, a woman, that Sophocles conveys his message of justice.
In order to completely understand the profound affects Antigone’s gender has on her actions and words, one must look ...