Question

A central idea in Part 2 of Antigone is that Creon perceives Antigone’s defiance to be particularly offensive because she is a woman. Which of Creon’s lines from the play most effectively support this idea?

Answer 1

Creon perceives Antigone's defiance as deeply offensive, especially because she is a woman, as evidenced by his lines that metaphorically equate her with a viper and an ill-fated husband's shrew.

Step-by-step explanation:

The central idea in Part 2 of Antigone that indicates Creon finds Antigone's defiance particularly offensive because she is a woman is most effectively supported by his line: "Woman, who like a viper unperceived Didst harbor in my house and drain my blood". This line signifies Creon’s view of Antigone as a deceptive and harmful presence within his household, emphasizing his perception of betrayal and the gendered insult of her being a woman.

Another line that supports this idea is when Creon says, "Ill fares the husband mated with a shrew, And her embraces very soon wax cold", depicting his belief that disobedient women, like Antigone, are detrimental to the order and well-being of a man’s life.

Answer 2

Answer: No woman while I live shall govern me.

Step-by-step explanation:

After the guard tells Creon that Antigone buried Polyneices, despite the proclamation against that, she acknowledges that it is true, claiming that it is the order of the gods to perform funeral rites for the dead. She even accuses Creon of being a fool.

Creon is angry at her stubbornness, but especially at her having that attitude as a woman, which is evident when he says "no woman while I live shall govern me."