How old is feminism, and who was the first feminist? Although no one can say for sure the exact date on which the feminist movement started, most of it is attributed to the past two centuries. However, women who are feminists have been around much longer. In Sophocles's Antigone, the main character (Antigone) acts as a protofeminist by defying the authority of a patriarchal society and taking action according to what she believes is right in her heart. She even shows some characteristics of a modern feminist.
Feminists today are viewed as raging, man-hating bitches, but feminism in its true sense simply advocates women's rights. While there are extremes on either side of the scale, most feminists fight for equality among the sexes rather than dominance of one over the other. An
Sophocles. "Antigone." Literature and the Writing Process 5th ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. 1999.
Antigone demonstrates feminism in several ways. She initially challenges a powerful male establishment by directly disobeying King Creon, the head of a strict patriarchy. She demonstrates a strong will and defiance for the laws of man. Her search for popularity also shows her feminist mentality. All of these characteristics combine to make Antigone appear to be a feminist by modern standards, even in a time much older than the feminist movement of the past two centuries.
Antigone, however, decides she would rather please the gods than man and buries her brother against King Creon's orders. She is fully aware of the consequences should
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