what reasons does ismene use to dissuade antigone from her course of action

by Mr. Andres Spencer Jr. 6 min read

Why is Antigone angry with Ismene?

Ismene believes they cannot contend with Creon because they are weak women, and she does not want Antigone and her to perish, because they are the only ones left in their royal bloodline. Ismene tries to persuade Antigone to obey King Creon’s edict, because if she fails to comply, she will be stoned.…

What does Creon fear the most in Antigone?

Nov 14, 2017 · Ismene believes that the only course of action is, therefore, to obey Creon's decree, even though it asks Ismene and Antigone to disrespect their brother according to tradition. Antigone sees ...

Why does Creon accuse Ismene?

Jun 08, 2009 · One reason for why Ismene doesn't want to help her sister Antigone is her fear of the power of the State. She says that she doesn't have what it takes to engage in civil disobedience. Another...

Does Antigone have any regrets in 'Antigone'?

Why does Antigone not allow Ismene to join her in her death sentence? Possible Answer: Antigone does not want her sister laying claim to an act that was solely hers for two reasons: one, because she wants her sister to remain alive, and two, because she wants her sister to feel the shame of abandoning her principles for the sake of staying ...

What 3 reasons does Ismene give for not helping Antigone?

Ismene refuses to help Antigone, because she does not want to break the law by going against Creon or other because she realizes the consequences would be extreme since she is a woman. You just studied 6 terms!

How does Ismene dissuade Antigone?

How does Ismene try to dissuade Antigone from burying her brother, and is she successful? She brought up the law and how they just have each other.

What are Ismene's reasons for her behavior?

What are Ismene's reasons for her behavior? Ismene acts as a foil to Antigone because Ismene is not as brave or loyal to bury her brother, Polyneices. Ismene is scared to bury her brother, because she does not want to disobey Creon or the law.

Why is Ismene afraid of Antigone?

Ismene was only shocked that Antigone will disobey the law and refused to help because unlike Antigone, she was afraid of the consequences. This only disappointed Antigone. She felt that Ismene denying her offer was her not wanting to sacrifice for her own blood.

Does Ismene plan to join her why or why not?

Does Ismene plan to join her? Why or why not? No—Ismene is afraid of Creon. She believes that it is important to follow the king's laws.

What does Ismene say is a weakness that Antigone and her share?

Antigone is strong and aggressive; Ismene is weak and sees women as weak and no match for men.

What did Ismene do in Antigone?

Ismene- She is the youngest daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta. Her name in Greek means 'to linger towards' (eis = towards, mene = linger). She warns Antigone that trying to give their brother a proper burial would surely lead to her death and declares that she wants nothing to do with the whole idea.

What does Ismene do when Antigone ask for help?

Antigone announces her intention to defy the order of the king and bury her brother, in accordance with divine law (1-38). She asks Ismene to help her, but Ismene refuses, listing the misfortunes of the family. They are only women, and cannot defy the king (39-68).

Why is Ismene important in the play Antigone?

Ismene. Blonde, full-figured, and radiantly beautiful, the laughing, talkative Ismene is the good girl of the family. She is reasonable and understands her place, bowing to Creon's edict and attempting to dissuade Antigone from her act of rebellion. As in Sophocles' play, she is Antigone's foil.

How does Ismene act as a foil to Antigone?

In a sense, Antigone and Ismene are foils. While Antigone demonstrates power and control over her own fate, Ismene shows weakness and the inability to take her life into her own hands. Ismene, unlike her sister, constantly gives in to the stronger wills around her.

Why does Ismene change her mind in supporting Antigone?

Ismene chooses the side of reason due to her fear of death and authority but has a change of heart after seeing Antigone's bravery. Unfortunately, it's too late, and Ismene is left alone with Creon at the end of the play, the rest of her family slain by their own hands.Dec 7, 2021

What does Ismene say to Antigone?

Ismene has just told Antigone that she must refuse Antigone's request to help bury their brother because she must obey Creon. She considers it “madness” to break his martial law and bury Polynices. In answer, Antigone withdraws her request of Ismene to help her.

Who is stronger, Antigone or Ismene?

In the most basic sense, Antigone is the more strong-willed of the two sisters, while Ismene is compliant. Antigone is willing to defy Creon's decree at any cost, including death, while Ismene tries to persuade her sister to obey the law, and thus King Creon himself.

What is the central question of Antigone?

One of the central questions of Antigone has to do with how a person in the world of the play is obligated to both family and law. At the start of the play, Polyneices and Eteocles, brothers of Antigone and Ismene, have been killed fighting on opposite sides in a civil war to determine which of the two will assume the throne ...

Who is the sister of Antigone?

This lesson analyzes two major figures in Sophocles' 'Antigone': the title character and her sister, Ismene. We will examine how the similarities and differences between these two women signify conflicts and questions that are central to the tragedy.

What is the law of the kingdom?

The law of the kingdom is the highest thing, to be followed above all. Since Creon is the new ruler of Thebes, he is the representation of this law. Ismene believes that the only course of action is, therefore, to obey Creon's decree, even though it asks Ismene and Antigone to disrespect their brother according to tradition.

Who is the new ruler of Thebes?

King Creon, the new ruler of Thebes, has declared that Eteocles will be celebrated as a fallen hero, while Polyneices will be treated as a traitor, and his body will be left on the battlefield to be desecrated by birds and other scavengers. Anyone caught disobeying Creon's order faces the punishment of death.

Do Antigone and Ismene want to bury Polyneices?

Despite their opposing points of view, Antigone and Ismene both share some fundamental values. At a basic level, both sister s want to bury their brother Polyneices, since they understand the importance of proper funeral rites. Even when Ismene suggests obeying Creon's order, she doesn't do so lightly.

What is the difference between Ismene and Antigone?

Ultimately the sisters' argument comes down to a fundamental difference between the two: Ismene believes that her duty is to the men who make the law, while Antigone believes that "those who matter most" are the Gods, and that Zeus would want her to bury her brother.

Where do Antigone and Ismene meet?

Antigone and Ismene meet at night in front of the city gates. Antigone has called her sister out for a secret meeting: she bewails their fate as daughters of a doomed mother and father and sisters of two men who have slain each other.

What is the setting of Antigone?

Greek audiences may not have been familiar with the particulars of Antigone 's story, but they would have recognized the setting of the play and the initial context of its plot - namely, the city of Thebes and the seeming curse that afflicts all members of the royal family. Before we begin to explore the details of this particular story, ...

Who is Antigone in Greek?

Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus, Greek drama's most infamous figure.

What does Antigone say to her sister?

Antigone is furious with her sister and says she would no longer welcome her help even if Ismene granted it. She also says that she will die willingly for her brother and ensure he is given a proper burial. Ismene cannot dissuade Antigone, and she leaves to perform the burial.

Who was Oedipus the King?

Oedipus was a king who married his own mother after killing his own father - not knowing that either were his parents. The story of Oedipus The King, Sophocles ' most renowned work, is useful for giving us insight into Antigone's doomed lineage and should be understood prior to reading Antigone.

What does Creon say about Thebes?

Creon says that a ruler must not be afraid to say what's right - no matter how unpopular his views may make him . He says he will never call a man a friend who is hostile to Thebes, and that the city is their lifeboat. Thebes has no friends, but he will make sure that the city is raised high.