Oncoming Characters In Antigone

In the innovative and fascinating play Antigone , Sophocles highlights the significance of the character Ismene who is minor yet influential and impactful : “Those whom we least expect can have the greatest imprint as to who we become” Ismene , who only appears twice throughout the play has great importance , affects action, and the development of other characters as well. Although Ismene briefly appears it is evident that her fear of breaking the law , and hesitant determination to rise to the occasion positively affects the actions of her sister Antigone. Ismene plays a major role for the oncoming positioning and placement of the actions to follow in the play. Her brief attendance in the play has an major efficacy on Sophocles’ Antigone …show more content…
In the opening scene of Antigone , after the readers discover the reasoning for the sisters returning to Thebes , the main character Antigone expresses that she would like to perform a burial in which she would like her sister to participate. Following the opening conversation between the two sisters , the readers then become aware that Ismene doesn't want to participate in this crime that their uncle Creon has outlawed. It is very evident among the two sisters that Antigone displays the characteristics of brave , passionate , and noble ; contrasting from Ismene who is controlled by her fear and thus would rather follow the unjust law. Upon realizing her sister Antigone purpose and reasoning behind breaking the law ; it is evident that Ismene too wants to join the glory of what Antigone may receive for her dynamic actions for their brother’s sake. After Ismene tries to join her sister in performing a proper burial , Antigone states “I won’t insist … I’d never welcome you in the labor with me...and even if I die in the act , that death will be my glory”