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Theme Of Compassion In Antigone

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Theme Of Compassion In Antigone
When Antigone makes the decision to disobey the edict, she enlists her sister Ismene for help, but refuses to partake in Antigone’s defiant behavior. Antigone pursues her desire alone, and is arrested. Ismene takes responsibility for the plan as well. Later, when Antigone is faced with execution, Ismene wants to die with her, but Antigone pushes her to continue living her life. Here there are two acts of compassion. First, Ismene offers to die with her sister because she feels remorseful, so by wanting to die with her is a compassionate act. Second, when Antigone encourages Ismene to continue with her life, she is being compassionate towards her.

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