The roles of women in ancient times have changed a great deal in some aspects and remained the same in others in present day society. I the narratives read that include female characters such as Antigone, Ismene, and Sita, each portray a somewhat different reservation for women. .
Antigone goes beyond the expectations of women when she takes on the responsibility to burry her brother Polyneices. Antigone takes on this responsibility because the unburied dead will be shamed and will not be able to rest and shame will fall upon the families as well. By Antigone's brother Creon being the only enemy left for her to worry about she is expected in a certain way to take on the role of a more masculine figure. Antigone clearly rebels against male authority throughout the play. Antigone is very brave and unashamed of her act of giving her brother a proper burial.
Ismene portrays the stereotypical expectations of women early in the play but later transforms her beliefs. Ismene is very passive, submissive and scared to challenge any law made by man. Male authority intimidates and scars her. "How horrible it will be to die outside the law, if we violate a dictator's decree! No. We have to keep this fact in mind: We are women and we do not fight with men." (Sophocles, lines 59-62.) Ismene conforms to what the male definition of feminine should be. At the end Ismene changes her views and tries to share her sisters death. Ismene challenges male authority when she goes up against her brother Creon and brings up issues that no one would dare to make mention of. Both Antigone and Ismene go against what is expected of females. .
Women are expected to be obedient and serve men. Evidence of such expectations date back as far biblical times. God made man first which were Adam and then woman, which was Eve to be each other's companion. The bible speaks of honor thy husband and even when getting married the women is suppose to take on the religion or attend the husbands church.
