Reflective Statement on Political Structures in Ancient Greece

During the presentation on Political Structures in Ancient Greece

I was given the opportunity to better understand the importance of
order within Greek society in order to better comprehend the
significance of Sophocles play, Antigone, at the time it was written.
Antigone raises themes such as the role of women and politics, the
importance of power, and the hunger for power. The presentation
brought to my attention the topics of the suppression of women and
the importance of family within ancient Greek culture. This led me to
explore the theme of women within Antigone. Sophocles used the
character Antigone in order to expose womens expected behaviour
compared to the reality of their role in society. In addition, she
challenges the ideas of her contemporaries by defying the patriarchal
political structures within ancient Greece. These structures were
contradictory. On one hand a Greek would die to save his or her family,
but on the other hand women, who were seen as the nucleuses of the
home, were devalued and hidden away. These structures and
contradictory ideas were exemplified in Creon who expected men to be
primary players within society and women to be secondary or
nonexistent players. The presentation also spoke extensively about the
types of governments that ruled Greece. Furthermore, I realized the
struggle between the oligarchy and democracy. An oligarchy power is
given to a specific group of people while democracy serves the people.
This idea deals with the theme of power. Within the play power acts as
a blinding force causing the characters to make corrupt and ignorant
decisions. Again, these characteristics were extensively expressed
within King Creon who was arrogant, rebellious, and an overall mean
person. In addition, with the severe laws that were implemented during
this time it is more understandable why Creon was so quick to execute
any individual who spoke out against him. Although it seems strange to

Words: 391

Gabrielle Warren

21st century Western sensibilities, an ancient Greek theatre audience

would have found Creons actions normal and even justified.
Furthermore, understanding the cultural and political background of a
society allows one to fully appreciate and comprehend what an author
of the time was trying to tell his audience. Regarding political
structures Sophocles had a message of questioning authority and
respecting not only the men of the society, but the women.

Words: 391

Gabrielle Warren