Antigone Minor Character Analysis

While Antigone represents a full devotion to humanism, her sister, Ismene, represents not only the rejection of it, but also passivity towards the notion of morality which, in a sense, is equivalent to Creon’s treachery towards what we hold morally sacred. Ismene has long been used as a symbol of both anti-politics and anti-humanism, which creates a dynamic plot by contrasting the cowardly fear to stand up for one’s concept of what is right with a brazen display of self-fulfilled justice. (2) What’s worse may be Ismene’s knowledge of her cowardliness and complete complacency, as seen when talking to Antigone about her plan to bury their slain brother when sharing her fear of punishment, " Think how we’ll die far worse than all the rest, if we defy the law and move against the

The relationship between Antigone and Ismene is close because they are both sisters but at the same time their relationship isn’t that strong. One of reasons they are foils to each other is because of their disagreement about burying the body of their brother Polyneices. Antigone already knows that she is willing to die to let her brother rest in peace but Ismene on the other isn’t on her side, instead she doesn’t want to help Antigone because she want to face the consequences that come with burying Polyneices. Antigone and Ismene are foils to each other because on one hand Antigone is willing to defy the orders of the king who has power over her, while her

First off, Ismene, Antigone’s sister, actually was the one that incited Antigone's actions that led to everything else that happened in the story. Without Ismene, there would not be a plot. In lines 52-59, Ismene said to Antigone “What? You'd bury him— when a law forbids the city?” Antigone replied “Yes! He is my brother and—deny it as you will—your brother too. No one will ever convict me for a traitor.” Ismene said “So desperate, and Creon has expressly—” and Antigone interrupted with “He has no right to keep me from my own.” Here Ismene is telling Antigone that her actions are not something that are legal and that comply with Creon’s laws. Antigone, being hard-headed, decides that she is not going to let a law determine what she does for

By choosing this path she did not only choose her life/future but she also the rest of her family’s. Her whole family will be affected by her choice of following her father’s fate, either now or in the future. Antigone and Ismene have a very in depth conversation before it takes place. Ismene is somewhat upset about the choice Antigone is about to make not only for her sake but also her own destiny.

For instance, when Antigone asked her sister to help with the burial of Polynecies, Ismene replies to her sister’s proposition by stating, “But think of the danger! Think of what Creon will do!” (Prologue, 34). Ismene then continues by saying, “Think how much more terrible than these, our own death would be if we should go against Creon, and do what he has forbidden!”(Prologue, 44-46). Based off of Ismene’s response to Antigone, one can conclude that she, as well as the majority of the people in Thebes, was afraid of Creon.

In the play, Antigone is born into nobility and is portrayed as a happy character. Starting the play, Antigone was not mad at Creon for he hadn't made the Edict yet. Her nobility is made known in background information such as the fact that her father is Oedipus. It is also mentioned in the play when she states "Ismene, dear sister, you would think that we had already suffered enough for the curse on Oedipus..." Showing that

Antigone was a Greek tragedy that ended in Antigone’s death along with her brother’s. In the beginning of the of the tragedy we learn of her brother’s death “Creon buried our brother Eteocles with military honors, gave him a soldier’s funeral, and it was right that he should; but Polyneices, they fought as bravely and died as miserably, they say that Creon has sworn No one shall bury him,” (LN 15-20). King Creon’s decision for not giving Polyneices a proper burial is because he was a traitor. However, that was Antigone’s brother and she felt besides Polyneices actions, he still deserved a burial. Antigone has lost her parents and just has her sister Ismene left so, despite the order handed down by Creon, Antigone feels that it’s still appropriate to give her brother a proper burial.

Imagine knowing that both your brothers have lost their lives due to foolish decisions. The man who comes to power in place of them decides that only one of them is worthy of a proper burial. One of them is glorified and the other is left to be eaten by animals as he is thought to be a traitor. Being one of the last in your line you decide to take it upon yourself to respect the laws of the gods and honor your brother. In Antigone, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles , Antigone faces the consequences of defying mans law in order to follow the laws of the gods.

As the play transpires Ismene’s courage is revealed through her standing by Antigone’s side while she receives her punishment of execution. Although Ismene wasn’t opposed to honoring her brother she tried to convince Antigone not to go against the law “We are ruled by more powerful people and must obey them… I yield to those who walk with authority.” (Page 15), this shows the people of Thebes fear to disobey the king.

In the beginning, the author introduced Antigone and her sister, Ismene, and their argument about their recently deceased brother. The argument involved Antigone wanting to bury her brother and Ismene encouraging her to obey the King's orders. Antigone ignored her sister's advice and chose to

Additionally, Ismene also gets punished due to Antigone’s actions even after obeying her superior’s orders. As a result, Creon states that “[he will] execute them” (43). Moreover, Ismene is punished with the shame of the actions she has caused. She stood up to Antigone and partially blamed herself for their brother’s burial as she didn’t want to be left alone. Ismene therefore “bear(s) [her] share of blame” (45) and suffers from Antigone’s actions. Ismene wasn’t the only character who embodied a traditional attitude as Sophocles introduces a similar male character.

This story is marked by tragedy after tragedy; Antigone and Ismene are presented with a father, that dare to killed his father to married his own mother. Two brother that followed the similar example, and consequently killed each other to for throne to have power. We don’t know what age they were when her parents died, but by inference we can argue that they were young. Although, Antigone and Ismene experience some life-hard moments together, their view on certain situation are shaped differently throughout the play. Antigone, see the situation with her brother Polynieces as outrageous offense to her and her family values, especially after being an active member of leadership in the city of Thebes. Antigone, experiences had made her a stronger than other women, she doesn’t fear man, and is

Her actions in this case were slightly irrational, but showed her dedication to family. She also shows her family focus when she shows Creon the damage that he would do to his family with his actions. Ismene speaks of how Creon would be robbing his son of a wife and destroying his family (Sophocles, 90). Even during a time of chaos and sadness (after losing her brothers and the arrest of Antigone) Ismene stays with the values she believes in which is respected by many individuals.

The Importance of family and cultural values is proved in the Greek playwright written by Sophocles. Sophocles helped us understand each character as we meet them in the first scene. Antigone, we learn that she is the antagonist as she rebels against her uncle, Creon, and her love of her own blood, and that she is not one to stand down for any man. Antigone, Ismene and Creon are characters that are of discussion in the play of gender roles.

Antigone’s sister Ismene proves to be defiant towards Creon as well, (although to a lesser extent than her sister) when she decides not to reveal her sisters plan to bury their brother. Ismene also displays fearlessness, although she