First of all, Antigone, in the beginning of the play, argues to Ismene about the burial of their brother. Antigone says that “‘[she will not] insist’” (line 83) on following Ismene when she tells Antigone to not bury Oedipus. Antigone already makes her decision to bury her brother in the first place, and all Ismene does is creates a sense of conflict that does not change Antigone’s actions anyways. Even if Ismene is not there to argue with Antigone, Antigone already knows her reasons of burying her brother. One may say that Ismene’s presence emphasizes Antigone’s determination, but Antigone is already going to bury her brother against the law. If the law cannot affect Antigone’s decision then how will Ismene’s influence do anything? Antigone
