What did Ismene do in Antigone?

2 years ago

4 minutes

Ismene- She is the youngest daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. Her name in Greek means ‘to linger towards’ (eis = towards, mene = linger). She warns Antigone that trying to give their brother a proper burial would surely lead to her death and declares that she wants nothing to do with the whole idea.

What is the role of Ismene in Antigone?

Blonde, full-figured, and radiantly beautiful, the laughing, talkative Ismene is the good girl of the family. She is reasonable and understands her place, bowing to Creon’s edict and attempting to dissuade Antigone from her act of rebellion. As in Sophocles’ play, she is Antigone’s foil.

What is the role of Ismene?

The role of Ismene, Antigone’s less overtly daring sister, is often oversimplified in studies of Sophocles’ Antigone. Ismene is typically written off as a foil to Antigone, serving to emphasize the transgressive masculine behavior of her sister (Kirkpatrick 2011; Kirkwood 1958; Foley 2001).

What does Ismene do at the end of Antigone?

At the end of the play the Chorus narrates Ismene and Antigone entering to sing a funeral dirge together for both of their brothers. While Antigone exits with the First Semichorus, escorting the body of Polynices, Ismene and the Second Semichorus exit with the body of Eteocles.

What is Ismene’s tragic flaw?

Her tragic flaw is that she has hubris, which is excessive pride, and that leads her to be unbending. Ironically, Antigone means unbending in Greek. Because she is unbending, she will not denounce her decision to bury Polynices. This angers Creon, so he sentences her to death.

Why did Ismene change her mind?

Ismene chooses the side of reason due to her fear of death and authority but has a change of heart after seeing Antigone’s bravery. Unfortunately, it’s too late, and Ismene is left alone with Creon at the end of the play, the rest of her family slain by their own hands.

What is Ismene’s motivation?

What is Ismene’s motivation when she refuses to help her sister Antigone bury their brother? The fear of Creon, and the power of the state. What is the augury? An omen that teiresias saw that showed him Creon’s future.

Why does Ismene refuse Antigone?

Ismene refuses to help Antigone, because she does not want to break the law by going against Creon or other because she realizes the consequences would be extreme since she is a woman.

Why is Ismene weak?

While Ismene is a caring and compassionate person, she is weak in nature, too afraid to buck against the system or stand up for herself and her family. She is loyal to her sister, Antigone, in keeping her secret, but she is too lawful to help her bury their brother.

Is Ismene loyal to Antigone?

Antigone is loyal to her family the entire time, unlike her sister Ismene, but in the end Ismene fixes her wrongs, and they are both there for one another other even when it comes to death. No one backs out and chooses the state; they choose each other, which is what family does.

Is Ismene a weak character?

Weak: Based on the above traits, Ismene can be considered a weak person. She makes most of her decisions based on fear and order, leaving Antigone alone in her plan until she is sentenced to death. Only when pushed to the point of losing her sister does Ismene take a stand.

How is Ismene different from Antigone?

The main difference between Antigone ‘s and Ismene ‘s personalities is that Antigone is bold, independent, and according to Ismene, “fiery” (Sophocles 689), while Ismene is timid and submissive. Ismene can be considered submissive because she complied with the civil laws.

Does Ismene help Antigone?

Ismene refuses to help Antigone, because she does not want to break the law by going against Creon or other because she realizes the consequences would be extreme since she is a woman.