In Sophocles’s Antigone Oedipus’s two daughters, Ismene and Antigone are portrayed to have completely different personalities. While Ismene is one who seems to be easily frightened and sympathetic, Antigone possesses the traits of persistence, courage and fearlessness. These qualities are particularly evident in the scene where Antigone asks Ismene if she will assist her in burying their brother, Polynices, despite Creon’s law that whoever buries him will be killed since he considered Polynices to be a traitor. Ismene’s response to Antigone’s inquiry is that she cannot help her because she prefers to obey the rules of the living, Creon, than the dead. Even though Ismene refuses to go, Antigone still goes to bury her brother, because unlike her sister she fears the gods more than she fears Creon. In fact, it seems as though Antigone is not at all scared of the king, because after being caught burying her brother, she tells Creon that not only did she commit the crime, but she is right for doing so.
Despite these many differences in personalities, the two sisters have one thing in common- both of them would go to great lengths to protect their family. This is apparent in the facts that Antigone is willing to die for Polynices. In addition, While Ismene is not willing to die for her brother, due to her fear of Creon, she is very willing to die for Antigone. Ismene confesses to a crime she didn’t commit. In order to justify why she should be killed as well, Ismene claims that she has no reason to live if her sister will cease to exist.
I completely agree with you, Antigone and Ismene have totally different personalities, what makes this relationship between both sisters unique is their sisterhood, it is based on keeping secrets, loyalty and being there for each other. This special bond is what keeps them together. There is a huge difference between Antigone and Ismene, Antigone is this strong, open-minded and fearless person, meanwhile Ismene is a soft, fearful and weak girl. Ismene’s loyalty may bring along trouble for her own destiny and problems with her family, but her love and silence is her sacrifice for her loved sister.
I can easily relate the special bond between these two sisters with the one i have with my lovely sister Jenny. She is very strong, careless of rules, what people say or think, a “crazy”, wild, but smart girl, more like Antigone. On the other hand i am very emotional, sometimes weak, fearful, more like a follower when it comes to rules, more like Ismene. I believe that these differences in our personalities is what make us unique and it creates a balance in our sisterhood which make us get along very well.
Stephanie Betancourt
I agree with both of you and I really admire Antigone’s fearlessness and the fact that she risked her life so that her brother could have a proper burial. When i began reading this play, I thought Ismene was going to be completely against Antigone and that she was going to support Creon’s decisions. However, after seeing that she would rather die than live without Antigone, I realize that she could be one of the most selfless and caring characters in the play. Now I’m wondering what Antigone is going to do. Will she feel bad about putting her sister in this situation?
I agree with you. Ismene and Antigone definitely care a lot about family especially since they tragically lost their father and mother and now both their brothers at once.
Antigone displays a rebellious young girl while Ismene is portraying the older sister who takes on the role of trying to protect Antigone because she is the only one left besides their uncle. I think that the reason why Ismene is so cautious of her actions is so that she can stay out of trouble. However, her sisterly love for Antigone causes her to give up her life as well because she could think of no other way to save Antigone from her doom.