The study of family relationships is both fascinating and complex because every family has a different dynamic and connection. Within the family itself, there are different relationships between the individual members. A sister and brother have a different connection than two brothers do; a mother and a daughter have a different dynamic than a father and a daughter, and spouses interact differently with one another than they do with their children. Every member of the family brings something different to the table. Just as interfamilial relationships differ, relationships outside of the family are unique. For instance, one responds differently to their family than to their government. Both institutions require a certain amount of loyalty, but
…show more content…
Expecting her sister to be more than willing to honor their brother and give him the burial he deserves, Antigone is surprised to discover that Ismene is not as excited about breaking the law as her sister seems to be. It is not so much that Ismene does not respect Polyneices or favors one brother over the other; she is simply afraid. She does not want to wreak unnecessary havoc and she does not want life to be harder than it has to be. It must be remembered that life for Ismene has not been easy either. She comes from the same family tree as Antigone and she has had to face all of the same family drama as her other siblings. We see a clear example of Ismene’s fears in the play: “Think how much worse/ our own deaths will be- abandoned/ as we are- if we defy the king’s/ proclamation and his power./ Remember, we’re women. How/ can we fight men. They’re stronger./ We must accept these things- and worse to come./ I want the Spirits of the Dead/ to understand this: I’m not free./ I must obey whoever’s in charge./ It’s crazy to attempt the impossible!” (Antigone lines 71-81) Avoiding conflict appears to be Ismene’s primary defense mechanism. She knows that burying her brother after being told that doing so would be breaking the law would come with drastic consequences, such as death. Ismene does not resist Antigone because she does not think her brother is worth it. She probably thinks she can still honor her brother in her heart without breaking the law; she may even think that is what her brother would want if he were alive, for his sisters to remain safe and
Expecting her sister to be more than willing to honor their brother and give him the burial he deserves, Antigone is surprised to discover that Ismene is not as excited about breaking the law as her sister seems to be. It is not so much that Ismene does not respect Polyneices or favors one brother over the other; she is simply afraid. She does not want to wreak unnecessary havoc and she does not want life to be harder than it has to be. It must be remembered that life for Ismene has not been easy either. She comes from the same family tree as Antigone and she has had to face all of the same family drama as her other siblings. We see a clear example of Ismene’s fears in the play: “Think how much worse/ our own deaths will be- abandoned/ as we are- if we defy the king’s/ proclamation and his power./ Remember, we’re women. How/ can we fight men. They’re stronger./ We must accept these things- and worse to come./ I want the Spirits of the Dead/ to understand this: I’m not free./ I must obey whoever’s in charge./ It’s crazy to attempt the impossible!” (Antigone lines 71-81) Avoiding conflict appears to be Ismene’s primary defense mechanism. She knows that burying her brother after being told that doing so would be breaking the law would come with drastic consequences, such as death. Ismene does not resist Antigone because she does not think her brother is worth it. She probably thinks she can still honor her brother in her heart without breaking the law; she may even think that is what her brother would want if he were alive, for his sisters to remain safe and