Ismene

Fate Vs. Free Will in Oedipus Tyrannus Fate in Ancient Greece was an insurmountable and unavoidable force. It was so prevalent that, “[e]ven Zeus, the mightiest of all gods, was subject to the powerful force of Destiny or Fate” (Religion Facts). It was an aspect so fearfully revered that it became deeply intertwined and rooted in daily life. This concept is something that theologians have pondered over the years, and can be seen questioned in Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus. For example, the clash between

In a lot of ways, we are all connected. Some connections are with the mind other connection are more spiritual, and lastly some through physical connection. I begin with this depiction of thoughts, because as I’m learning from reading literature that no matter the time period or location, you will find mutual philosophies from multiple cultures. I felt I identified a comparison found in each protagonist from the reading of these two literature pieces “The Tale of Sohrab” from the Shahnameh, written

into present day. In Sophocles’ Antigone, Creon and Ismene show signs of patriarchy through there actions. At the time of writing the play, Sophocles was surrounded by patriarchy in Ancient Greek Society. Ismene merely believes that she and Antigone can’t bury Polyneices because they are women and have no strength or power. Creon shows hatred toward Antigone because of Sophocles having been influenced by ancient Greek Society, he quickly blames Ismene because he knows she may threaten him as Antigone

concerning the nature of fraternal and sororal bonds, and to what extent one is bound by them. After Creon declares that Antigone’s late brother Polyneices cannot be buried, Antigone usurps Creon’s authority and buries her brother of her own accord. Ismene attempts to dissuade Antigone, but to no avail. The sisters both mourn for their brother, but the distinction of their actions is drawn along the lines of what each of them holds to be more valuable- the decrees of the living, or the honor of the

2a. As the play opens, Ismene and Antigone discuss the recent decree by Creon that states, “No one shall bury [Polyneices], no one mourn for him, / But his body must lie in the fields” (Prologue 20-21) and be beaten by wild dogs or vultures. Antigone takes the side of a daring risk to break the law and follow the rules of the gods. Yet, Ismene is dissuaded from helping as she sees the punishment, stoning to death, as a great price to pay. Thus, the two have a heated argument on whether to be

Antigone is the courageous, strong-willed, and devoted tragic heroine of the Sophocles drama. In the opening scene of the play, Antigone and Ismene discuss the burial of Polyneices. Antigone is adamant about burying and honoring Polyneices and she seeks justice in a world deprived of it. Antigone attributes her defiance against Creon and determination to bury Polyneices, not only to her own desires and family duty, but also to the law of the gods. Ultimately, her stubborn loyalty becomes her tragic

ANTIGONE and Ismene from the palace. ANTIGONE: Ismene, my dear sister through common blood, do you know of any evil from Oedipus Zeus will not perform on us who still live? For I have seen nothing—nothing painful, nothing mad or shameful or dishonorable—(5) that is not among your or my sorrows. And now what do they say? The general has just put an edict over the whole city. Have you heard it? Or have you avoided learning how our friends suffer the fate of foes?(10) ISMENE: No word of

versus loyalty to the state. Sophocles writes about how one should always follow divine laws. He does this through the character of Antigone, one of Oedipus’ children. Antigone says that she must act as per the religious law, the law of higher God. Ismene, her sister and another child of Oedipus declares that she cannot go against the law of the citizens. Antigone, knowing full well the consequences of defying Creon, acts on her principles as she realizes that law of God demands the burial of a dead

functions, and goals: Haemon, Ismene, Tiresias, and the Chorus. Sophocles portrays Ismene as of obedient personality. According to Ismene, it is better not to perform burial rights to her brother than disobey the law. Ismene is more loyal to the king than to his family. However, this does not indicate that she is patriotic, only that she lives in fear of the consequences of violating the law (Tyrrell and Bennett 95). Ismene plays the function of a kind and obedient citizen. Ismene goals are merely obeying

Ismene in Sophocles’ Antigone and Anouilh’s Antigone: a study in loyalty and her usefulness as a character Sophocles’ Antigone is a well-known Greek play, and Anouilh’s Antigone is a modern twentieth-century adaptation of it. Both deal with the aftermath of Antigone’s choice to go bury her brother Polyneices even though the king, Creon, has expressly forbidden the burial of the traitor brother. Antigone and Creon are of course the central characters, but Ismene, Antigone’s sister, is important