The Role of a Leader (Pub 1)

The Role of a Leader

If someone were to take a moment and contemplate the distinction between woman and man, it would vary depending upon the time, and that is precisely what Sophocles intended to showcase. Antigone by Sophocles shares the story of a woman going against the authority of a man by burying her deceased brother. Despite the relation to the ruler himself, Antigone is sentenced to death. Her fateful punishment brings into question the true significance behind his decision to end her life. Sophocles highlights the common idea that to be a man is to be a ruler, but to be a woman is to be an obeyer. 

The infamous ruler known as Creon perfectly embodies the characteristics of any rathful leader. Putting aside any familial feelings toward his nephew, Creon made it clear that he was not to be buried. When Antigone disobeyed the law set in place and questioned the authority of Creon, he sentenced her to death. As he controned her, he said, “Go then to the world below, yourself, if you must love. Love them. When I am alive no woman shall rule,” (Sophocles, lines 576-577). There was no importance in the fact that they were related, only that she was a woman who went against the will of a man in power. Creon himself stated that no woman would ever rule while he was breathing. Regardless of relation, Creon would never let himself “bow down” to a woman, especially one who resisted his competence as a leader.

Men were not the only ones to feel that they possessed all the power– women felt the men did as well. Ismene, Antigone’s sister, is a prime example of yielding to the demands of Creon. While arguing about the decision pertaining to the burial of their brother, it was clear that the two sisters had very different viewpoints on the unjust law. Antigone knew that there would be merciless repercussions for her not-so-secret burial, but she decided to go through with it nonetheless. Ismene on the other hand, who feared the wrath of Creon, was entirely against her sister’s preposterous idea. During their disagreement Isemene said, “You ought to realize we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men,” (Sophocles, lines 70-71). Ismene represents past and present instances of women being inferior to men. Modern day workplaces often have women in the background while their male counterparts gain recognition. Present-time decisions are not as extreme in the sense of sentencing individuals to death (at least not commonly in the United States), but the suggestion that men are still in high positions of power is very foreseeable.

When Antigone was held as a villainous prisoner, she felt that she had no other choice but to end her own life. Her decision to hang herself had everything to do with the control of men. Initially Creon could be considered at fault for her fate, and that would technically be a correct statement. However, taking a deeper look, Polyneices is also to blame. As Antigone sat in confinement, she said aloud, “And now, Polyneices, it was for such care of your body that I have earned these wages,” (Sophocles, lines 951-952). Her own brother, who she risked her life and freedom for, betrayed her even in death. He represents defiance against authoritative figures and Creon represents the consequence.

It is probable that the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a leader is a strong man. In Antigone, that idea is no different– the ruler would never choose to see a woman in his lifetime. The deeply-rooted issue, however, is the thin line between righteous punishment and gender. If Antigone was a man, perhaps Creon would give a lenient punishment or even stray away from a punishment at all. Antigone’s sacrifice and demise will forever call attention to the difference in ruling and obedience in a biased world.

Works Cited

Sophocles. Antigone. Translated by E.F. Watling, Penguin Books, 1974.