Question 2a.

(Assignment): With Antigone, Medea, A Raisin in the Sun, and ‘night, Mother, we read four tragedies centered on women characters, their concerns, or their domains, but two of these plays were written by men, while two were written by women. What differences in style, setting, characterization, family dynamics, and social ethics appeared to result from these different authorships? Support your insights by comparing and contrasting the plays.

(Sample Student Submissions)

(Student authors are identified by initials after selections)

Complete Essays

            The tragic genre, once purely the arena of male authors, has been around since 500 BCE, if not earlier. And yet, with women comprising slightly more than half the human race, it’s only natural that some of these tragedies should be about female characters and their concerns and dilemmas.  We can all agree that men and women are essentially different.  So when male authors write about female characters, they bring a male perspective to the tragedy – something that is not found when female authors write about female tragic characters.  Although the four plays we read in this section of the class deal with strong female characters whose actions drive the plot of the play, the gender of the author affects the integral structure of the play.  Antigone and Medea, written by the male authors Sophocles and Euripides, are different in setting, style, characterization, presentation of family dynamics and social ethics from the two plays written by female authors, A Raisin in the Sun and “night, Mother, written by Hansberry and Norman.

            Sophocles and Euripides base the action of their play in the male domain – the public arena and look at the dilemma from a male perspective.  Antigone takes place in front of the palace of Kreon, the King of Thebes.  The male chorus comments on the action from a male perspective with mankind’s greatness and frailty compared to stallions and plowed fields. Medea also takes place in a public arena - the area outside Jason and Medea’s house in Corinth.  Although the chorus is now female, they still fall back to commenting on the action from a male perspective, as in the fifth choral ode when they say:

            So often before

            Have I gone toward concepts far too tenuous

            And come upon questions far too deep

            For the race of woman to try to unravel.

The implication that women cannot grasp concepts as weighty as those with which men grapple, is certainly written from a male’s perspective.  I think most women would disagree with that argument.  In contrast, Raisin and Night take place in what is traditionally thought of as the female arena – the private setting of the home.  Both take place in the living room of the family home.  In both Raisin and Night, the dilemma is viewed from a female’s perspective. In Raisin, we see the dilemma of what to do with the money from the perspective of Mama and Ruth, and although they take into account Walter’s point of view, ultimately the argument that wins out is their own – doing what is best for the family emotionally, not financially.  In Night, the only characters are female and the dilemma is discussed from a female perspective.  Relationships, and how behaviors of an individual can affect the emotional life of another person, are what the play is all about – a decidedly female perspective on life.

            The style of these works is also affected by the gender of the authors.  Antigone and Medea are action driven plays.  The characters discuss the actions of others and this drives forward the plot.  Antigone’s action of putting dust on her brother’s body impels Kreon to act against her.  Medea’s action of poisoning Jason’s new wife and killing her children is the climax of the play and is discussed throughout the play.  In contrast, Raisin and Night, are more about relationships.  The healing of the relationships of the characters in Raisin is more what the play is actually about – whether they actually move or not is not central to the play in the same way that their emotional health is – although the two concepts are tied together.  Night is about relationships – between Jesse and her other family members.  The play is about the evolution of these relationships and how they influenced what the characters have become.  Her suicide, although certainly hanging over the atmosphere of the play, is an all but done deal – Jesse has decided this course of action before the start of the play. 

            Characterization of female characters is also affected by the gender of the author.  Antigone and Medea are females portrayed through the eyes of a male.  Antigone is one-dimensionally portrayed as defiant.  It is her defiance that causes Kreon to dig in his heels and command that her brother not be buried.  One gets the sense that if she had approached Kreon differently, he might have been more understanding.  Medea is one-dimensionally portrayed as manipulative.  She feels betrayed and is willing to manipulate others to get her revenge – even at the cost of her own children.  In Raisin and Night, on the other hand, the characters are multi-dimensional and portrayed from a more female point of view with emphasis on their emotions and the relationships between family members.  In Raisin, Ruth and Mama have both positive and negative aspects to their personalities.  Ruth is the peacemaker and mediator and the voice of reason in the play and yet she considers aborting her unborn child for the sake of the family.  Mama (Lena) is the moral authority figure in the play and yet it is her treatment of Walter that has kept him from stretching his wings and realizing his potential.  Night also portrays multidimensional female characters.  Jessie has given up on life and is angry with her life, yet, through her conversations with Mama we come to understand why she feels the way she does, although we also wonder if she shouldn’t take more personal responsibility and take action to make her life different for herself.  Mama (Thelma) is shown as lying and manipulative but we get to know her background with it’s unhappy early marriage and her sense of trying to do the right thing when she lies to her family members.  Female authors take more time to unveil the many facets of their characters personalities and show us both the good and evil that lives within them.

            Family dynamics are also treated differently by the male and female authors that we studies.  Antigone and Medea are both in patriarchal societies and families.  Kreon decides the laws of the land (as King) and, attempts at least, to rule over his family as well.  Medea’s husband, Jason, is going to leave her for another woman, and expects her to accept this decision even though it affects her negatively.  The needs and feelings of Antigone and Medea are not considered by the male members of their families. The Youngers and Cates, on the other hand, are in more matriarchal family relationships.   Mama (Younger) is definitely the moral and spiritual authority in the family and she makes her decisions based on the needs of the family as a whole.  In the Cates case, with only Jessie and Mama living together, Jessie has taken on the role of taking care of the family, although this role is somewhat subverted by her brother’s insistence on paying their bills, etc. The needs and feeling of the families, and the individuals within the family, are what is most important.

            Social ethics are also treated differently depending on the gender of the author of the play.  Antigone and Medea look at action from a legalistic male-inspired point of view.  Antigone is breaking the male-driven laws when she attempts to bury her brother.  Medea is going against the male-driven societal norm when she decides to stop Jason from marrying another woman.  Raisin and Night look at issues from a moral, female point of view.  Mama (Younger) struggles with the morality of giving Walter the money to open a liquor store and Walter struggles with the morality of giving in to the white homeowners association.  Jessie, although the issue of the morality of her suicide is not really discussed, struggles with the morality of her treatment by others in the family – nothing illegal was done to her and yet she feels that she has been wronged.

            Although men may attempt to portray female characters from a more gender-neutral or female point of view, the inherent differences between men and women affect their ability to do so. [JT 02]

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In the plays Antigone, Medea, A Raisin in the Sun and ‘night Mother the mothering figure stands above the other characters.  These women are each strong in there own ways.  Not only are they concerned about themselves but also about their families.  The women characters have many similarities, but in numerous ways they are different. 

            Medea and Antigone were written during the Greek times and by men.  Where as Raisin and ‘night are both modern and by women. The writing style shows a difference between the male, who writes in a more direct approach and the female, whose style is more indirect.  In all four plays there is a problem each women needs to fix.  The way they go about repairing the problems exhibits different styles, not only in writing, but also with the time.

With Antigone and Medea, their problems are public knowledge, as in Antigone the entire town knew that a law was brought forth that did not allow her brother to be buried. The chorus played an important part in making sure that everyone knew what was happening, almost like a local paper or talk show. Everything Antigone or Medea do is public knowledge and people are waiting on new “gossip”. With Raisin and ‘night the problems are family related, they are kept in the privacy of the home.  Not only does the town people not know what is going on, they really do not care.

 Medea and Antigone handle problems with a direct approach.  They see the problem and decide how to fix it and give little thought to the consequences. In Raisin and ‘night the women skirt around the problems, there is more talk about feelings and what the outcome might be. In Raisin they is much talk about the ‘check’, but it takes awhile for the audience to realize that the ‘check’ is the start of the problems. The same thing happens in ‘night, Jessie is planning something, but she keeps up a normal dialogue with her mother, so it takes the audience awhile to understand exactly what she is planning on doing.

Euripides and Sophocles give masculine traits to their women characters.  These women are powerful and assertive.  They are defiant to the wishes of the male ‘leaders’. Antigone decides to ignore the law, that is man written, and regardless of the outcome put her brother first.  In making this decision, she did not consider that her sister could also face the same punishment, as she will. Medea enjoys manipulating men, she hides her true thoughts and when the men relax she turns on them with a vengeance.  She has many masculine attributes, but she keeps her feminine whiles right on the surface of her personality.  At first she faces Jason with power and strength and when that doesn’t work she turns on the charm and returns to his good graces and then strikes like a cobra. Never does she consider that her actions are going to hurt anyone else except Jason, her plans are extremely close-minded.

The opposite is true in ‘night and Raisin, even though the women are strong and assertive, they handle the situations with a feminine style. The women have spent a great quantity of time thinking about what they are doing.  Their plans are detailed and they have looked at all sides of the problem and finally establish answers. In Raisin the check actually belongs to Mama, but the decisions she makes affect the entire family.  In trying to keep peace in her family she divides the money 3 ways.  Walter can have what he desires, Benethea can start her college life, and as most mothers, Mama spent her portion on helping the entire family move up in the world. In ‘night Jessie has spent years thrashing out her problems and has finally come to a decision.  Before she actually kills herself she take meticulous means to make sure Mama has all she needs and knows what to say and how to act when the time comes for her to report the suicide.

In all four plays there is action that must take place.  In Antigone and Medea the action is forceful with the women establishing that this is the way it should be and they will do whatever it takes to ensure the outcome how they want it.  With Raisin and ‘night the action is subtle, the women discuss what should be done and guide the outcome with a motherly push. [SG 02]

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Selected passages from essay answers to 2a

Antigone by Sophocles and Euripides’s Medea were written by two Greek playwrights that represent the golden age of Greek tragedy. The effect of their work would produce major works by great Greek philosophers, like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. They present a new edge to literature and that is the voice of women characters. True these two plays are written by men with their own impression of the female persona. The plays show a style that was comfortable to the Greek public. What I mean by this is there was a king who was male and he called the shots, never breaking the hierarchy of the sexes.

In Antigone, the main character a woman who took a stand against the king and those that disagreed with the king was the character died at the end. Of course there were exceptions like the wife of the king who was just devastated by her sons death. The king’s son rebelled, Antigone rebelled, and in the Greek realm of thought this was not a healthy action. This sent the message that even though it may be brave to do so; you must be prepared to suffer the consequences.

Greeks have a deeply rooted mythology system of gods and goddesses so women in the stories are not unusual. The way Sophocles introduces Antigone was not a goddess but a woman standing up for what she believed was right for her dead brother. The style was carefully projected as not to put Antigone’s action on a pedestal to be modeled by the audience, but an example of an improper way of handling things.

Euripides’s work in Medea was a latter work that showed the women working above the kings and surviving, it was like a systematic progression for women in literature. The style was unusual for the times, but with the ending of the chariot ride, and the use of spells showed a type of dreamy super woman, not like the normal day to day Greek who watched the play. It could be compared to Wonder Woman TV show in the seventies. She fought for women and tied a men and punished them this was Medea. It was what women might have thought about, but never acted upon, but seeing it in play from controlled the women uprising and they vented through the words and action through the pay. This brings me back the whole reason for tragedy according to me and that is to see life that could be worse and recognizing and seeing what could happen, and knowing to steer away from tragedy by obeying life’s norms.

A Raisin In The Sun by Hansberry showed women in control, but played by persuasion and love. Mama knew the wiser move, but taught through lessons. She knew her son’s problem and desire to be the man of the house. In the earlier Greek plays this was not even questioned, men were in charge and to differ would be tragic, a pun I suppose. The fact she was in control of them money/future from the very beginning proved to be a metamorphosis of women in literature. The style was not really in your face, feministic slams, but a slow progression to aid in the male seeing wisdom in the words of the elder woman. This was in fact a lot milder that Medea who went for the gusto to prove she was right.

Night Mother by Marsha Norman really did not compare to the power of women or their growth, but perhaps an example of a defeated woman who could take no more. Jessie did not take the wimpy role of whining, but took on a male persona of taking care of things in a systematic way of checks and balances. She knew what was better for her and that was death on her own terms. The men in the play demonstrate the insensitive, unaware male who is unable to relate emotionally. Her own brother being non coherent to any problems, and insensitive to the real situation provided her with the proper ammo. This proved that the brother did not know his sister and showed know real concern to the underlying problem. . . . [LH 02]

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 . . . When exploring setting, one can contrast each play based on the authors’ genders.  Antigone, written by Sophocles, and Medea, by Euripedes, both take place in a public setting.  The main characters (Antigone and Medea) are both dealing with private issues in a public place.  Antigone has broken the laws of the state and given her brother a proper burial.  In response, to this public offense, Kreon punishes Antigone as a way to let his public know that he is not a weak ruler.  He says, “Do you want me to show myself weak before the people?  Or to break my own sworn word?  No, I will not.  The woman dies” (Sophocles 118).  We see here that Anitigone’s offense directly involves Kreon’s public image.  . . .

            Conversely, Raisin (by Lorraine Hansberry) and ‘night (by Marsha Norman) take place in a more private setting.  The action in both of these plays takes place inside the home.  In Raisin, there are instances when outsiders are brought into the home (Asagai, George, and Mr. Lindner), but one can recognize these characters as outsiders.  ‘night also takes place solely in the home, and references are made to outsiders, but we never actually see any interaction with them. [JL 02]

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 . . . Sophocles and Euripedes both wrote narratives styled to ancient Greek life.  In ancient Greek around the 5^th century BCE, the domain of women was primarily private.  Greek women were not allowed in public unless there was a festival or household duty that needed to be performed.  However, Sophocles and Euripedes give us two different women who do not conform to the traditional role of Greek women.  Sophocles’ Antigone is the daughter of the late king Oedipus and she has a royal lineage.  Sophocles emphasizes Antigone’s position based on who her father is.  If Antigone was a peasant woman would Sophocles dictate that her voice be heard?  No, because Greek tragedy centers around those in power.  Although Antigone does not have authority within the kingdon, she still maintains the power of her position as Oedipus’ daughter.  Antigone wants to bury her brother and that means she must defy Creon’s state law that no traitor shall be buried. Sophocles allows us to see Antigone struggle against what she believes is right and what Creon believes is right.  Sophocles does not develop Antigone’s character around her personal life.  What the reader learns about Antigone is from the voice of other women like Ismene, her sister, and the Chorus.  It appears that Sophocles preferred to characterize Antigone as a woman in relation to a male dominated society.  Sophocles presented Antigone as strong and courageous, not weak or frail as men believed women to be.  Antigone willingly admits to Creon that she has buried her brother and accepts the penalty for it.  Antigone does not see herself differently from the men around and believes she is equal to men and that is why she never backs away from her responsibility to her brother.  Although we know where Antigone stands in respect to Creon’s law, Sophocles fails to develop the feminine aspect of Antigone.  Antigone’s relationship with Ismene and her love for Haimon are not developed.  Sophocles allows the reader a one dimensional view into Antigone’s life.  Sophocles presents Antigone, her problem and gives us the resolution.  Euripedes developed Medea in relation to her role as a wife and a mother, therefore allowing the reader to feel her pain when Jason decides to take a new wife.

Similar to Antigone, Medea has a royal background, but she has estranged herself from her father and brother while helping Jason.  Jason and their two sons is all Medea has in her life.  Euripedes allows Medea to vent her rage against Jason in a volatile situation of martial infidelity.  Medea does not understand why Jason wants another wife.  Although Jason believes he is doing what is best for his family his actions are offensive to Medea.  Euripedes structures his narrative so that the reader understands how a woman and man can see the same issue differently.  Euripedes explores Medea’s feelings as a woman scorned and the options that a male dominated society offer her—concubine or exile.  Medea’s nature will not allow her to accept either role because she has power in her own right.  Medea has helped Jason in the past by killing her brother and others who got in her way.  Medea is a manipulative and she knows people, this is unlikely for a woman in Greek society, but Medea is not your typical woman.  Euripedes allows the reader to see Medea through a woman’s eyes but her actions reflect a warrior backed into a corner.  Medea calculates every move of her Jason and Creon and she counterattacks by inflicting pain on them both.  Noticeably, Antigone and Medea are faced with decisions that dictate their desperate actions.  Greek society viewed them according to their sex and classified them weak, but neither of these women are weak. Antigone and Medea stand up for what they believe to be right and they also stand alone.  Antigone and Medea break away from social ethics by disturbing the traditional role of women.  Both women step into a male dominated society making themselves equal to men.  Both women defy the laws of man to have their voices heard.  Both Antigone and Medea take desperate actions to resolve the problem in their lives.  For Antigone it is death by her hands and for Medea it is to sacrifice her children.  Sophocles and Euripedes represent the strength of Antigone and Medea uncharacteristically for women during their time. . . . [RR 02]

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