Why Did Ismene Take The Blame For Antigone

117 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Roles of women in greek mythology

To start off, Ismene tries to take the blame for burying Polynices’ body. In line 604 Ismene states, “I did it, yes— if only she consents—I share the guilt, the consequences too.” Even though she did not actually bury his body and it was all Antigone’s doing. Even in lines 612-614 Ismene states, “Oh no, my sister, don't reject me, please, let me die beside you, consecrating the dead together.” She is willing to sacrifice her life for Antigone's and even when Antigone tells her that she will take the blame herself, Ismene still insists that they die together. This shows that Ismene really cares about her sister and even risks her own life to save Antigone.

Show More
Related

  • Fate in Antigone, Beowulf, and the World

    1003 Words  | 3 Pages

    At the start of Antigone, the new king Creon has declared the law that while Antigone’s brother Eteocles will be buried with honor for his defense of Thebes, however the other brother, Polynices will be left to rot in the field of battle for helping lead the siege of the city. Antigone discusses with her sister Ismene that she shall go and pay respects to her now dead brother, and give him the burial that she feels that he deserves. Her sister tries to persuade her otherwise, but Antigone claims she is going to follow her determined fate, not the law of ...

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Ismene In Antigone

    1077 Words  | 3 Pages

    When Antigone comes to her sister for assistance in burying their brother’s body, Ismene refuses. While this may be seen as an example of her cowardly, docile nature, such as how the line “You ought to realize we are only women” (61) is often interpreted, it shows that Ismene was aware of where she stood in Theban society. It is common knowledge that Ancient Greece was a patriarchy, with women holding little to no political power. Even beyond the fact that she and Antigone are women living in a male-dominated society, Ismene recognizes how low their family has fallen, with herself and Antigone being the children of a kin-slayer and his wife. A reasonable person in Ismene’s situation would most likely have acted in a similar manner, as it would be far too great of a risk to defy Creon. Ismene was simply aware that no one would come to the aid of Oedipus’s daughters when they faced “the edict of death”

    Read More

  • Comparing Glaspell's Trifles And Sophocles Anti

    945 Words  | 2 Pages

    She protects her dead brothers’ honor as she disobeys the laws of King Creon. She feels that the gods are the only ones who have a say on the burial of a person as stated, “I did not believe your proclamation had such power to enable one who will someday die to override God’s ordinances” (Sophocles 497-500). She is brave, passionate, and full of fury; she is strong and determined enough to do what she feels despite the laws of the land. Ismene, who is Antigone’s sister is more of the conservative, law-abiding, bow down to men type of woman, as shown by her comments to Antigone “you ought to realize we are only women, not meant in nature to fight against men” (Sophocles 70-71). Ancient Greece is a male dominated society, and Antigone knows all too well the punishment she will receive to breaking this law, when she states, “for whoever breaks the edict death is prescribed, and death by stoning publicly” (Sophocles 40-41). After being caught burying her brother, she showed her true bravery and dedication to this cause by saying to Creon “Yes, I confess; I will not deny my deed” (Sophocles 487). It infuriated Creon that a woman broke his law. Creon tells Haemon, his son and Antigones’ fiancé, “I caught her openly in disobedience alone out of all this city and I shall not make myself a liar in the city’s sight. No, I will kill her” (Sophocles 706-709). Creon wanted to put her to

    Read More

  • Antigone's Actions

    630 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antigone has defied the king's edict. However, the edict says that her brother, Polynices, cannot be given a proper burial. The reason given for this is that Polynices is a traitor. Antigone's uncle, Creon, the king, makes this edict after many events happen. Antigone says herself that she has experienced "no private shame, no public disgrace, nothing" that cannot be experienced (Antigone, p. 658).

    Read More

  • The Characters Of Antigone And King Creon

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    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). Ismene would rather die than live without Antigone. In deciding to give her life for her brother, Antigone neglects her sister, and acts selfishly. She therefore should not have signed herself over to death as it has severely negative effects on her only living

    Read More

  • Ismenes Indecisiveness in Antigone

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    The play Antigone is usually thought of as either the tragedy of Creon or the tragedy of Antigone, but it is just as much the tragedy of Antigone's sister Ismene. In the play, Antigone and Creon hold on to two different ideals, Antigone to the ideal of sororal duty and holy rights, while Creon holds on to the rules of his kingdom, dominated by the laws of men and of reason. Ismene is obsessed by her role as a woman, choosing to ignore her feelings of obligation towards her family, and remaining completely indecisive and inactive, as she believes a woman should. By the end of the play she is left in the same position as Creon, without any family in the world and feeling partially responsible for the outcome. If Ismene had stood up and done something either to stop Creon from sentencing Antigone to death, or to help Antigone in burying Polyneices, she would in the end be with her family in life or in death, and be better of than being left alone on earth alive. Also the actions of the characters in the play are very comparable to the ideas and strategies of the Greeks and Spartans in Thucydides, written shortly afterwards.

    Read More

  • Antigone Protection Quotes

    776 Words  | 2 Pages

    By saying “Is e’en this boon denied to share thy lot(Sophocles 1249)? We see that Ismene wants to share the death penalty with her sister which shows how devoted she is and that she willing to do anything to be with her sister. Even though Antigone denied Ismene’s request Ismene continues to try and follow her sister. Her feeling for Antigone will never falter as will her stubbornness. 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. From this we see that Ismene “in her eyes” are sharing the fate from Antigone 's actions. She is willing to share her fate and yet again shows how stubborn she can be when it comes to being with her sister.

    Read More

  • Antigone by Sophocles

    392 Words  | 1 Pages

    In “Antigone” by Sophocles Ismene is stuck between being a true sister or a traitor to her family. Choosing to be a true sister would call for her to follow the law of the gods and break the law of man. If she follows the law of the gods she would join her sister, Antigone, in burying their brother, Polyneices. If she follows the law of man she would betray her family and follow the law made banning the burial of Polyneices. The burial of Polyneices has been banned by King Creon because he says that Polyneices was an enemy of the city and does not deserve to go to heaven. King Creon did however give Polyneices’ brother a soldier’s funeral with military honors because he defended the city against Polyneices.

    Read More

  • Integrity in Jean Anouilh’s Antigone

    2403 Words  | 5 Pages

    Creon, the king and their uncle, issued an edict to the people of Thebes that the rebel Polynices, brother to Ismene and Antigone, should not be buried on pain of death. Antigone explains in what seems to be a rational tone that she and Ismene are bound, as by duty, to bury Polynices and face the execution. She makes it clear to Ismene that there are no two ways about it. "That's the way it is. What do you think we can do to change it?" she says (11). She also tells Ismene that she is not eager to die, but it seems to the audience otherwise throughout the progression of the play.

    Read More

  • Antigone Summary

    780 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antigone was dejected with Creon’s ruling and decided to bury Polynices herself. She tried to enlist Ismene to help her, but Ismene was to afraid. Antigone furiously continued with the plan on her own. A sentry discovered Antigone and brought her to Creon. Ismene was also brought to Creon and confessed that she had helped Antigone with the burial rites of Polynices. Antigone stopped Ismene and told her not to admit to an act that she had not committed. Antigone took sole responsibility for the burial and claimed that Creon had no right to forbid the burial of Polynices. Ismene pleaded with Creon to spare Antigone’s life for the sake of Haemon, Creon’s son.

    Read More

  • Moral Obligations In Antigone

    1032 Words  | 3 Pages

    This action of honoring a past family member is an action that many perform and is widely accepted. When discussing the issue with her sister Ismene, Antigone points out that King Kreon “has no business keeping me from what is mine” (48). As his sister, Antigone deserves the right to horror the rights over her loved one and give Polyneices a proper burial. Regardless of the actions Polyneices performed, the end result justified the means at no matter the cost. Antigone states that “I shall bury him. To me it is fine to die performing such a deed” (71-72). Despite the edict that the King issues against burying Polyneices, Antigone forgoes any consequences that she faces and makes the decision to act on her brother’s behalf. This sense of obligation is what drives her to go against the King. She goes as far as saying that she is willing to die performing this deed because she knows that it is the just thing to do. Antigone does not feel the need to cooperate with King Kreon because he is not the one she needs to please. She explains

    Read More

  • The Burial at Thebes

    1224 Words  | 3 Pages

    The book also has conflict between Antigone and her sister, Ismene. In the opening chapter, Ismene becomes central to this moralistic tale as she stands for all that was expected of women in Greece in 5BC. She alone, in her dialogue shows us, right from the beginning why Antigone is so brave in her decision to bury Polyneices when she says; “Two women on our own faced with a death decree – women, defying Creon? It’s not a woman’s place. We’re weak where they are strong. Whether it’s this or worse, we must do as we’re told.”

    Read More

  • Antigone, by Sophocles

    546 Words  | 2 Pages

    In meeting Ismene, the reader is introduced to a wiser and obedient woman in terms of her understanding where she stands socially and realizing the consequences of rebellious actions. Ismene, throughout the play, serves as a tool by helping Antigone to become more resolute in her actions. Ismene has suffered just as much as Antigone, "no joy or pain has come my way" (16) Ismene says. Yet although she concedes that the sisters "were robbed of our two brothers" (17), she still accepts the will of the King "I must obey the ones who stand in power"(18).

    Read More

  • Antigone: The Theme of Family Loyalty

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antigone’s firm belief that her brother Polyneices should have a proper burial is established by her conviction in that the law of the gods is above all else. This law proclaims that all men be mourned and honored by family and friends through means of a suitable burial. Antigone’s need to put honor upon Polyneices’ soul is so grand that she ignores the advice of everyone around her, including her sister Ismene, who tries to pull her away from performing this criminal act because it will disobey the law set by King Creon, and lead to her demise. However, Antigone does not care about the repercussions because even though “[s...

    Read More

  • Sophocles' Antigone - The Real Tragedy

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    At this time, the reader begins to feel sorry for the two sisters. They have lost their father and their two brothers, all at the same time. Later in the conversation, the reader learns that Antigone has a plan to bury her brother Polynices and that she wants Ismene to help her. Ismene is scared to do this because the new king, Creon, has issued a decree that says that any person that attempts to bury the body will be sentenced to death. The fact that Antigone is going to attempt to bury the body creates fear in the reader.

    Read More

More about Why Did Ismene Take The Blame For Antigone

Open Document