Comparing the Brothers Antigone and Ismene in Antigone :: Sophocles

The personalities of the two sisters, Antigone and Is manpowere, are as different from one another as night and day. Antigone acts as a free spirit, a defiant individual, tour Ismene is content to recognize her limitations as a woman in a male dominated society.In the Greek tragedyAntigone, by Sophocles, Antigone learns that mightiness Creon has refused to give a proper burial for the slain Polyneices, brother of Ismene and Antigone. infuriated by this, Antigone shares the tragic news with Ismene. From her first response, No I, havent heard a word(13). Ismene reveals her passivity and helplessness in the wispy of Creons decree. Thus, from the start, Ismene is point of referenceized as traditionally feminine, a helpless woman that pays no mind to political affairs. Doubting the wisdom of her sisters plan to break the constabulary and bury Polyneices, Ismene argues Remember we are women, not born to contend with men . (75) Once again Ismenes words clearly state her weak, fem inine character and helplessness within her own dimensions. Antigone, not happy with her sisters response chides her sister for not participating in her crime and for her passivity, saying, Dont panic for me. Set your own life in order(97). For Antigone, no integrity could stand in the way of her strong consideration of her brothers spirit, not scour the punishment of an early death. Ismene is more(prenominal) practical, knowing the task is impossible, she feels the situation to be hopeless.It is a wonder, which of the two sisters are really guilty of these chronic charges. Of course, Antigone acted so quickly, and failed to take the advice of the moderate sister, Ismene. Instead, going against Creons words, Antigone rashly goes ahead and breaks the law. Antigone is a fool, she essential learn that such defiance, even when justified, is not conductive to longevity. Although Antigone is foolish, she is alike adventurous and motivated by her morals. Proper burial of the dead was, according to the Greeks, demand for the souls entrance into a permanent home. Therefore, perhaps Ismene is also foolish for her quick refusal to help Antigone perform the duty of Polyneices proper burial. Ismene decidedly seems hasty in her acceptance of personal weakness. Perhaps in well-nigh way, both sisters are guilty of the same tragic sins. Perhaps it is this rashness, more subdued in Ismenes case that leads both sisters to their own destruction.