Conflicts in Antigone and LysistrataIn Antigone and Lysistrata, the tension between the polis and the oikos is reflected in different ways. Antigone prioritizes the oikos over the polis, while Creon prioritizes the polis over the oikos. The men of Lysistrata prefer to fight for the state rather than stay at home, while the women want their husbands to be with them instead of at war. We find plenty of evidence of different conflicts and similarities in the two plays, but the priority of the male over the polis over the oikos and the priority over the female's oikos over the polis cause the central tension in Antigone and Lysistrata. Sophocles' Antigone, a tragedy written around 441 BC has been variously interpreted as a conflict between family and state. Both parties have a clear idea of ​​their duty and are determined to follow their dictates. Creon, acting in the interests of the state, finds it politically expedient to refuse the burial of the traitor Polyneices. On the other hand, Antigone, acting in the interest of the family, claims that the right to burial takes precedence over all other considerations. For her, proper burial is the unwritten law of heaven, which is why she performs the last rites on her brother's body and is sentenced to death. Sophocles depicts two strong-willed people, Creon and Antigone, in conflict in the play. Antigone's first priority is her family, while Creon's is his state. When trying to persuade her sister Ismene to help her bury her brother Polyneices, she declares: "Now we will soon know / Whether you are the true daughter of your lineage, / Or whether you will dishonor your noble blood" (38-40 ). Antigone tells Ismene that a true daughter must always favor the family member. She gives Ismene two options: If Ismene chooses to help Antigon...... middle of paper...... conflict arises when Creon orders the worst Greek punishment for the traitor Polyneices. Antigone, for whom family pride is essential, will not tolerate the insult. However, in both plays the women's priority is the oikos, which contrasts with the men's priority of the polis. These contrasting viewpoints create the central tension in both plays. Works Cited Sophocles. Antigone. Oedipus the King and Antigone. Trans. Peter D. Arnott. Arlington Heights, IL: Davidson, Crofts Classics, 1960 Aristophanes. Lysistrata. Lysistrata and other plays. Trans. Alan H. Sommerstein. New York: Penguin Books, 1973. Antigone and Tragedy. Delicate problems, versatility and Sophocles. Conference. Lise Kildegaard. CFL, October 2, 1997. Aristophanes plus Comedy. Stupidity, nastiness and tricky issues. Conference. Carol Gilbertson. CFL, October 7, 1997.