Gender Stereotypes in Antigone

 
In Antigone, the differences and stereotypes of women and men are highly expressed in their society. Antigone and Ismene are both very different types of women. Antigone subverts her role as a typical woman with her stubborn, yet decisive nature. She does what she pleases and although she can act 'properly' she shows her rejection of the stereotypical woman role when she buries her brother. Ismene on the other hand, upholds the role of a woman when she decides to stand idle rather than help Antigone bury her brother. Ismene fears to intervene with the matters of men while men are portrayed as decision makers, providers, and the stronger gender. The genders in Antigone are very stereotypical and it impacts the story greatly.