Antigone compare and contrast
Compare and Contrast Antigone and Ismene
In the classical play “Antigone” by Sophocles, two of the main characters are sisters, Antigone and Ismene. The pair get into plenty of trouble, and are alike and different in througout the story. They are the daughters of the previous king, Oedipus. Their brothers have just killed each other in the battles between Thebes and Argos, Thebes emerging the victor. Polyneices fought for Argos whilst Eteocles fought for Thebes. The uncle of the family, whose name is Creon, has taken the throne in absence of a male descendant of Oedipus. Creon decrees that the burying of Polyneices be forbidden, and provides a proper religious burial for Eteocles.
The sisters are very alike in many ways. Antigone and Ismene are both fairly outraged about the fact that their brother will not have a proper entrance into the afterlife. They don’t think that Creon should disallow them to bury their brother properly. Both sisters are willing to die for the sake of their brother. When Antigone is caught in the act, she tells Creon “These laws---I was not about to break them,not out of fear of some man’s wounded pride, and face the retribution of the gods. Die I must, I’ve known it all my life--- how could I keep from knowing?--- even without your death sentence ringing in my ears.” (Antigone 509-514). Antigone says this after she has traditionally buried Polyneices for the second time. This shows how she is dedicated to give her brother a proper burial, even in the face of death. Ismene is very much like Antigone in in the fact that, she is also willing to die for her family members. Ismene says this to Creon and Antigone, “But now you face such dangers . . . I’m not ashamed to sail through trouble with you, make your troubles mine.” (Ismene 606-609). She goes on to add after Antigone protests, “Oh no, my sister, don’t reject me, please, let me die beside you, consecrating the dead together.” (Ismene 612-614). This shows that Ismene would share
In the classical play “Antigone” by Sophocles, two of the main characters are sisters, Antigone and Ismene. The pair get into plenty of trouble, and are alike and different in througout the story. They are the daughters of the previous king, Oedipus. Their brothers have just killed each other in the battles between Thebes and Argos, Thebes emerging the victor. Polyneices fought for Argos whilst Eteocles fought for Thebes. The uncle of the family, whose name is Creon, has taken the throne in absence of a male descendant of Oedipus. Creon decrees that the burying of Polyneices be forbidden, and provides a proper religious burial for Eteocles.
The sisters are very alike in many ways. Antigone and Ismene are both fairly outraged about the fact that their brother will not have a proper entrance into the afterlife. They don’t think that Creon should disallow them to bury their brother properly. Both sisters are willing to die for the sake of their brother. When Antigone is caught in the act, she tells Creon “These laws---I was not about to break them,not out of fear of some man’s wounded pride, and face the retribution of the gods. Die I must, I’ve known it all my life--- how could I keep from knowing?--- even without your death sentence ringing in my ears.” (Antigone 509-514). Antigone says this after she has traditionally buried Polyneices for the second time. This shows how she is dedicated to give her brother a proper burial, even in the face of death. Ismene is very much like Antigone in in the fact that, she is also willing to die for her family members. Ismene says this to Creon and Antigone, “But now you face such dangers . . . I’m not ashamed to sail through trouble with you, make your troubles mine.” (Ismene 606-609). She goes on to add after Antigone protests, “Oh no, my sister, don’t reject me, please, let me die beside you, consecrating the dead together.” (Ismene 612-614). This shows that Ismene would share