Analysis of Ismene

Ismene

In “Antigone” by Sophocles Ismene is stuck between being a true sister or a traitor to her family. Choosing to be a true sister would call for her to follow the law of the gods and break the law of man. If she follows the law of the gods she would join her sister, Antigone, in burying their brother, Polyneices. If she follows the law of man she would betray her family and follow the law made banning the burial of Polyneices. The burial of Polyneices has been banned by King Creon because he says that Polyneices was an enemy of the city and does not deserve to go to heaven. King Creon did however give Polyneices’ brother a soldier’s funeral with military honors because he defended the city against Polyneices.

In the beginning of the story Antigone went to Ismene to warn her about the new decree of King Creon. King Creon had sworn that no one was to bury him or even mourn for him. Antigone then told Ismene of her intentions of going against the new law and giving their brother the burial he deserved. Antigone then gave Ismene the choice to prove herself loyal to her family or betray it. Ismene stated that she could not go against the law of Creon. She felt that they could not go against Creon because they were only women and she was afraid of what their deaths