Antigone, by Sophocles

Ismene is willing to die with her sister and doesn’t give in to Antigone saying no; not only does this show how stubborn Ismene can be, it also shows that she has the willpower to seek things to the end. Ismene is a one of a kind character in this play because of her devotion and kindness to her sister. If the two boys Polyneices and Eteocles were still alive it is likely that Creon would find another way to rid the state of them. In that moment Ismene would definitely be the one who protects them while keeping the family from killing each other. During the conversation from the quote above the line “But now we stand convicted, both alike(Sophocles 1249).” Ismene said that they were both convicted.

Political laws help determine what is just and unjust to prevent the chaos that might occur if everyone did what they think is right. Kreon and Antigone exhibit both their negative and positive qualities throughout the play. Antigone is a strong, courageous character and she has no fear towards death. She believes that the burial of Eteokles must take place because she loves her brother, and family royalty is very important to her. For example she says: "I love my brother and I'm going to bury him, now."

She greets him with generous open arms and listens to his request for kind treatment of Cassandra. Welcoming both of them into the house, she has already plotted both of their deaths. She murders Cassandra only because she will not be humiliated by her husband's unwise choice to bring back a concubine, after sacrificing their innocent daughter. She states "his death the work of my right hand, whose craftsmanship justice acknowledges," showing no shame or remorse for killing her husband to ju... ... middle of paper ... ...ee of these women, in these three plays, display bravery more than any man can display. Yet, because of their vixen like ways of scheming, they are not fully justified for their acts.

Antigone demonstrates her strength as both a character and a female heroine throughout the entire play. In the beginning of the play, Antigone and her sister, Ismene, are arguing about whether or not to defy Creon’s law. Antigone believes in the god’s law, which requires a proper burial, however, Ismene fears Creon so she wants to follow his law. Creon’s law requires no one to touch or bury Polyneices, if someone does, they will be killed. Ismene is trying to convince Antigone that they should just follow Creon’s law because she is scared and Ismene does not want them to get executed.

Creon would be ashamed if he were to “obey” a woman. Antigone on the other hand is seen as a “do gooder”. She wants to bury her brother, not to offend anyone or even disobey anyone but to give him a burial that he deserves because she loves him. She knows the consequences, but is noble enough to be selfless at a time like this. She instantly gains love from the audience this way.

Nora and Antigone were both very headstrong women. During the time periods of both plays, women were expected to be subservient and share the same opinions as their husbands. The two lead women in the plays show their obstinacy and ability to take care of themselves in many instances. One example in Antigone’s story is when she says (to her “stereotypical woman” sister) of her plan to bury Polynices, “He is my brother and—deny it as you will—your brother too. No one will ever convict me as a traitor, (Sophocles 18).

Antigone feels because she and Ismene are sisters and thy feel remorse towards the death of their brother, she should want to help Antigone. Antigone telling Ismene her plans causes feelings that a women should have never had in that time period. Ismene tells Antigone, “We are only women, /we cannot fight with men, Antigone! The law is strong, we must give in to the law” (1.47-49). Antigone is angry for what her sister has said.

Throughout the tragedy Antigone never fears Creon, the king, despite her knowing what fate lies ahead of her, she stands by her decision accepting the dire consequences that follow, simply replying to Creon “I do deny nothing.(208)”. Her assertive behavior to stand up to the authority and coney her opinion is an uncommon trait for a woman to posses during her time. Antigone is willing to bend the law to do what is morally correct whereas Ismene is worried about the dealing with the consequences of betraying the law. In the tragedy she is portrayed as a submissive girl, whose acquiescence towards the law, preserves her life She constantly encourages Antigone to stop resisting against the law and to follow Creon’s wishes, telling her “We are only women, we cannot fight men! (191)”.

This picture, however, is shrouded because the ladies of the play are clearly the wiser of the group. They show respect to their husband but as Emilia clearly demonstrates they are able to stand up to them. No set of scenes states this so clearly as the situation of the deaths of the leading ladies in the play. Demonstrated through Emilia and Desdemona the article by Ruth Vanita explains that even in death it 's “much more strongly suggestive of how great lady and ordinary gentlewoman are equally defenseless as wives, yet retain their dignity with their death,”. (Proper’ Men and ‘Fallen Women.350) Though Emilia’s death is a tragedy she, unlike the men, maintains a moral end worthy of

Antigone is a strong willed woman who wins the respect of the audience by the inner strength and resistance of manipulation she has, showing the potential of human kind. She becomes a heroine with noble qualities of mind, heart and soul because she is willing to sacrifice her life, doing what she believes it is right. With a sense of family ties, she is an ideal for humanity, the issue is that she must burry her brother Polynices with an appropriate ceremony since she believes it is the last right for every human being. At first she tries to convince her sister Ismene to join her in her plans, but Ismene refuses, she is not willing to give up her life at all, when Antigone is not only risking her life but also her marriage with Haemon. When Antigone meets Creon she proves her strength and spiritual power.