In the Prologue, Antigone tells Ismene her plan to defy Creon’s order and properly bury the body of Polyneices, to honor the laws of the gods. Ismene refuses to take part of the burial arguing it is against the law and it would only bring more shame to the family. Ismene does value her brother; however, she does not have the courage to bury Polyneices. In fact, Ismene’s struggles to take action because she believes women should not violate the laws of men and her fear of punishment. Ismene’s argument and conflict add to the play of tragedy because she does not attempt to help or prevent Antigone from breaking the law, she only tells her to keep it a secret. Ismene only takes responsibility in Episode 2 when she wants to be charged with the crime alongside Antigone.
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Ismene is eventually spared by Creon but she states, “What is life to me, without my sister?” (560 Sophocles). Ismene only wants to die because she can not live without Antigone. Ismene’s life has been filled with enough shame from her brothers dying, her father being exiled, and now her sisters execution. Ismene argues Antigone can not be executed because she is Haemon’s bride. She does not argue for Polyneices; instead, she only focuses on sparing Antigone’s life. Ismene's actions are not for her sister but for her own. Ismene loves her family, but she views everyone’s death as shameful. Ismene was also too fearful to take action. Ismene did not help Antigone nor did she prevent her from burying the body. Ismene was a passive character allowing Antigone to do whatever she wanted. Antigone’s love for her brother never decreased; in fact, it only grew. Antigone never wanted to keep the burial of Polyneices a
Ismene is eventually spared by Creon but she states, “What is life to me, without my sister?” (560 Sophocles). Ismene only wants to die because she can not live without Antigone. Ismene’s life has been filled with enough shame from her brothers dying, her father being exiled, and now her sisters execution. Ismene argues Antigone can not be executed because she is Haemon’s bride. She does not argue for Polyneices; instead, she only focuses on sparing Antigone’s life. Ismene's actions are not for her sister but for her own. Ismene loves her family, but she views everyone’s death as shameful. Ismene was also too fearful to take action. Ismene did not help Antigone nor did she prevent her from burying the body. Ismene was a passive character allowing Antigone to do whatever she wanted. Antigone’s love for her brother never decreased; in fact, it only grew. Antigone never wanted to keep the burial of Polyneices a