Similarities between Creon and ANtigone

Ismene was the other sister of Antigone and Polynices. She however, did not think that her family was important to her. Antigone told Ismene, “is he not my brother, and yours, whether you like it or not?, I shall never desert him, never,” (1.1.39) but still Ismene didn’t want to help. Well, maybe she did but she refused to help Antigone bury their brother because she didn’t want to sacrifice her life. She didn’t like the idea of going against her uncle’s orders like as she says here “ you cannot mean....to bury him?

As we consider these roles, we can look at Antigone who goes against the established expectations of the woman’s role of the time and stands up to Creon when she thinks he is being wrongful. Creon thinks that women should never disobey men; should a woman stand up against a man, he is inferior to the woman (pp 209). Antigone defies the King’s edict of civil law by following God’s law, burying her brother on two different occasions (pp 208). The first time she buried him was to keep her mind at ease because Creon would not allow anyone to bury him. The second instance was because the wind blew the dirt off her brother, after which Antigone decided to bury him for the second time.

They refused to change their decisions. For example, Antigone refused to listen to her sister although she had told Antigone that they were women and they can't do anything about it "Remember we are women, we're not born to contend with men." Another similarity was that Antigone and Creon sealed each others fate. That's when Antigone decided to bury her brother although she knew that anyone who disobeys the laws will be killed. They were so independent.

She reminds Antigone that they are the only family members left and pleads with her not to commit such a crime, but Antigone refuses to accept the logic in her sister’s argument and will not be swayed, even though the idea of her death clearly upsets her sister. Ismene later has a change of heart and wishes to die alongside her sister in order to honor the dead as well, she even confesses to Creon, but Antigone rejects her idea of being a martyr, saying that her own death “will suffice” (Sophocles 136). Ismene then imagines life without her sister. The idea of losing the only kin she has left on Earth terrifies Ismene. She pleads to Antigone, “what life is dear to me bereft of you?” (Sophocles 136).

Antigone then told Ismene of her intentions of going against the new law and giving their brother the burial he deserved. Antigone then gave Ismene the choice to prove herself loyal to her family or betray it. Ismene stated that she could not go against the law of Creon. She felt that they could not go against Creon because they were only women and she was afraid of what their deaths would be like. At this point in the story Ismene was not willing to sacrifice her life for her brothers honor.

Print. “profane.” Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus. 2nd Edition. 2002. Print.

Edna refuses to attend her sister’s wedding, describing the event as lamentable. Even if Edna did not want to attend, a wedding is for the bride and groom’s happiness. She is unable to compromise any of her own desires for the happiness of others. Edna’s own marriage was an act of rebellion for marrying outside of what was expected, and came with the titles of wife and mother. Edna abandoned her relationship without trying to resolve any difficulties with her husband before satisfying her needs.

No Name Woman might have the strength to change her life, but she could not use this strength. Her fear of people, future, and commitment drove her to run away from everything. She did not give herself a second chance, which she deserved. She let the people decide what they wanted to do for her, but she did not choose what she wanted to do to herself. She forgot that she had a duty towards her child and her family and decided to run away from all her problems.

He even threatens her by saying that he will “leave thee to the mercy of wild beasts” which shows that he is apathetic to her wellbeing. Clearly, he wants nothing to do with her and will do anything to make her leave. He abuses her morally by saying that she could lose her respect being alone in the woods and threatened to rape her “To trust the opportunity of night and the ill counsel of a desert place with the rich worth of your virginity”. The use of the emotive word “virginity” is very sacred to women which makes him think that she would leave if he threatened to make her lose it. His language and actions are unpleasant and aggressive.

However, her father wanted her to marry Demetrius, which he thought was “suitable class for her”. Hermia was strong-willed and stubborn. She adamantly refused to be forced in to a marriage with Demetrius. A woman was not allowed to be blatant and rebellious in those times, especially against her father will. Still, Hermia did not care.