Antigone vs. Ismene
Antigone is a tragic hero who believes in her moral duty to the gods over her duty to the state and is willing to suffer the consequences in order to do what is morally right. Her sister Ismene, on the other hand, follows the laws of the state in attempt to stay out of any trouble that she might get herself into. The theme of individual verses state is exemplified in the Greek tragedy, Antigone, by Sophocles. Antigone and her sister Ismene have different opinions and beliefs as an individual that are shown through the actions they make towards the state. One sister is resistant and tough while the other sister is feminine, and appears to be softer. Antigone had very strong attitudes towards femininity and it would probably make her a successful woman in the 90s had she lived in our generation. Ismene seemed to play the role of a very dependent 1950s type woman. Antigone acts as a strong individual with a free spirit, while Ismene knows what she cannot do as a woman, and is happy with her limitations. Antigone learns about King Creon's decision to leave Polyneices, Antigone and Ismene's brother, lying dead in the public instead of giving him a proper burial. This clearly was injustice according to Antigone, and she immediatel
Ismene doesn't recognize, however, that her words are signs of weakness. Regardless of how Ismene had reacted at the beginning of the story, she knew what she had to do at the end. She was acting unmoral just because she felt she couldn't do anything else. Antigone knew that her disobeying Creon's orders was obviously not the smartest thing to do at the time because she knew she could lose her life. Ismene's response to this information was, "I've heard no word"(229). "You are in trouble, and I'm not ashamed to sail beside you into suffering. This statement shows that Ismene feels helpless and passive to Creon's decision. She felt in her heart that Creon was wrong, and felt the need to do something about it, hence breaking the law. Since she quickly refused to help Antigone give Polyneices a proper burial, she seems more and more life the foolish one. Antigone can also be seen as foolish because her morals are far more important to her than following the law. Ismene doubts that Antigone is capable of doing such an act to bury Polyneices, and argues, "We must remember that we two are women so not to fight with men. According to the Greeks, the soul would only be put into a permanent place if the body had been buried properly. She pretty much feels that even trying to do this would be impossible. "(230) In this instance, Ismene clearly states her weak, feminine character and shows that she is helpless in this situation.
Common topics in this essay:
Ismene Ismene's,
Antigone Polyneices,
Judging Antigone's,
Sophocles Antigone,
,
According Greeks,
Regardless Ismene,
Antigone Ismene's,
King Creon's,
sister ismene,
proper burial,
Antigone Ismene,
giving proper burial,
covering polyneice's,
giving proper,
creon's decision,
antigone immediately,
antigone seen,
covering polyneice's body,
polyneice's body,
|
Acceptance Essays
