Subaltern Transgressors and Moral Superiority: Comparative Analysis of Antigone and Anarkali

Ascribing moral superiority to the protagonists of Antigone by Sophocles and Anarkali by Imtiaz Ali Taj, this article explores the inter-connectivity between the two characters apparently separated by their era, culture, geography and literary tradition. Focussing on the subaltern, it aims at deconstructing the social morality by raising the feminine issue to universal acclaim where the female transgressors are more of Dionysian goddesses—embodiment of the vigour of nature. Qualitative methodology has been applied by using the theoretical framework of Feminism and Deconstruction. For textual analysis, Antigone by Sophocles and Anarkali by Imtiaz Ali Taj have been used as primary texts. Through in-depth studies of the two plays, it aims at opening new vistas for the students of literature across culture, along with giving an insight to the social law makers and practitioners.