In the Greek tragedy Antigone translated by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald, Antigone responds to Creon’s unjustified decree by honoring her brother Polyneices, after he dies. After Antigone’s father dies, her two brothers fight for the throne. King Creon, the new King of Thebes, sides with the other brother Eteocles and buries him with honor and for him to seek happiness after life. However, Creon leaves Polyneices to decay as a way to tell his people that Polyneices will be going to hell and find no happiness in his afterlife. Not only does Creon leave Polyneices alone to rot, he creates an unjustified decree to forbid anyone to show honor towards him in any way. Antigone opposes Creon’s biased decree. Antigone’s decision to defend Polyneices…
What does Ismene do when Antigone asks her for help? She refuses, and is unsuccessful in persuading Antigone not to do the deed…
In addition, when Sentry brings her to Creon saying it was her who buried Polyneices, she proudly admits it was her doing (2.53). As Creon tells her she will receive execution, she showed no signs of weaknesses and instead agreed. Contrary to Antigone is Ismene. Unlike her sister, she only thinks of the consequences to decisions. She is…
Antigone was full of hubris, she was very independent, she stands up on what she believes in. As for Ismene she was timid, follows the rules, she was also intimidated by her uncle Creon. When their two brothers died one was buried with “honor” but Polynecies wasn’t. Antigone fought for her brothers’ buriel and she also declared that she would die for him. Antigone quoted “ But I will bury him, and if I must die, I say that this crime is holy. I shall lie down with him in death.” This displays that she is willing to take a risk for her brother even though if she dies. Ismene is a coward when her uncle questioned her and she follows the…
Similarly, both women's decision and actions starts their tragic path. Antigone is decided to bury her brother, Polynices, being aware that disobeying will lead to death. While talking to her sister, Ismene, she said "he has no right to keep from my own"60. Antigone believes that as the woman of the family is her responsibility to bury her brother and it's the law of god which should overrule the law of state. She doesn't fear confrontation and admits to Creon that it was her who bury his body at the time of accusation. Antigonie says "give me glory! What greater glory could I win than to give my own brother decent burial?"561 She believed her death was her glory. Her pride and ambitious way to be remembered made her fearless of death.…
When Antigone asked her sister Ismene to help bury their brother, Ismene denies, saying that she “shall obey to those who are in authority (Sophocles line 67).” However, Ismene changes her mind later on and wants to share the punishment with Antigone for keeping her plot a secret. Ismene admits, “I share in bearing the responsibility (Sophocles 537).” Antigone’s courage inspires Ismene to join her, even though she wants Ismene to stay away, which shows that Antigone is a credible leader. Ismene, not Antigone, was then in control of her own…
Polyneices is a disgrace of what he did, not only to his brother Eteocles, but what he did to the City of Thebes. He went against King Creon’s will, aspiring the throne. Polyneices…
In the play Antigone by Sophocles, Ismene is shown to be in great contrast to Antigone, who is her sister. She is portrayed as a gentle and passive while Antigone is depicted as an aggressive and headstrong woman. In the prologue, Antigone and Ismene are shown discussing what has transpired since their leave and subsequent return to Thebes. In this scene Antigone asks her sister in line 6-7 “have they told you of the new decree by our King Creon?” which Ismene then responds that “I have learned nothing. I know that two sisters lost two brothers, a double death in a single hour, and I know that the Argive army fled in the night; but beyond this, nothing” (Sophocles 0:7-9).…
Antigone proves herself to be a very loyal family member when she states, “That must be your excuse, I suppose. But as for me, I will bury the brother I love” (Pro. 64-65). She cares not of the law set forth by Creon when it conflicts with her beliefs concerning loyalty to loved ones. She chose the law of the gods above all other decrees, disregarding that the cost is her life. Even after the body’s guards brush off the thin layer of dust to negate the effect of the prompt burial given by Antigone, the heroine risks life and limb to see that Polynieces receives a proper burial, and she is arrested in the process. Her retort to Creon’s accusations was, “I do. I deny nothing.” Antigone is confident in her choice at this point. She even stands up for Ismene’s fraud confession, and she will “not have [Ismene] help” because Antigone’s loyalty to her family is too great (1. 132).…
Ismene and Antigone differ in their opinions for burying their brother. After attacking Thebes against his brother, Polyneices died, his body left to the birds and bugs in the middle of the woods. Creon then declared whoever buries Polyneices, will die by stoning in front of the public. Antigone goes to her sister with concern for her brother and says, “Ismene, I am going to bury him. Will you come?” (Sophocles 693). Ismene then got upset and responded, “I must yield to those in authority. And I think it is dangerous business to always be meddling.” (Sophocles…
In the ancient Greek tragedy, Antigone, Sophocles’ character, King Creon will issue a law that no one will perform the burial rites over a dead traitor of the state. In advocating his law, he will deem Polynices a traitor. Antigone will unapologetically revolt against Creon’s law citing the rite's for the dead are the concern of the gods. Creon, believing himself to be omniscient in all matters of state and church ignores the coherent warnings given to him by his family and friend. Ironically, when he judges Antigone as a traitor to the state, Creon has committed the most grievous offense himself: treason against the laws of the gods,…
Sophocles creates a strong sense of devotion and resolve through her actions as she is seen as a martyr for her cause. Antigone follows what is just in the world that Sophocles creates. He does not reflect that same quality in his portrayal of Ismene. Ismene is more fearful of Creon’s laws, she holds reverence towards her brothers, but is not as eager as Antigone to sacrifice herself to uphold a divine law. This is shown when she responds to Antigone’s call to action, “We are only women, We cannot fight with men, Antigone! The law is strong, we must give in to the law” (191-192). In her response Ismene expresses her lack of strength and fear, Sophocles portrays her as less righteous than Antigone. Although Ismene later retracts her refusal, Sophocles still frames this act in relation to Antigone. The nobility in Antigone’s conviction to the law of the gods is further shown through Ismene’s change of…
I must please those down below a longer time than those up here, since I shall lie there always. You [Ismene], though, if you think it best, dishonor what is honored by the gods.” (74-77) Antigone strongly supports the law of the gods since they preside this world and the next. While the god’s rule is eternal and transcends generations, a king’s law is subject…
Ismene’s view of life is biologically impacted. Although she loves her brother, Polyneices, it is against the law to bury him according to Creon. Creon having set law that anyone to touch the corpse to be stoned to death publically causes Ismene’s view of life to become a problem. With her and Antigone being the last two members alive within the family, they must stay alive to continue the family bloodline.…
For Antigone, no law could stand in the way of her strong consideration of her brother's spirit, not even the punishment of an early death. Ismene is more practical. She knows the task is impossible and she feels the situation to be hopeless.…