What is the role of women in Classical Ancient Greece, and how are they represented in the play 'Antigone' by Sophocles?"

Women in Classical Ancient Greece (5th Century BC) held an inferior social position to men. Although they were prominent in the Greek Mythology (Goddess of Wisdom Athena, Goddess of the Hunt Artemis) and writing such as Sophocles' Antigone (441 BC), the average woman stayed at home, spinning and weaving and doing household chores. They never acted as hostesses when their husbands had parties and were seen in public only at the theater (tragic but not comic) …

…and inquire as little as possible" (Xenephon in Oeconomicus). The character of Antigone challenged many restrictive values of society, yet this was not intended to be perceived as positive or laudable, even though her intrinsic motive, following the gods' will, was. Thus, while superficially Antigone could be read as a powerful feminist embodiment, Sophocles' was using her role to further demean and restrict women in society, rather than encourage any to emulate his title character.