Antigone and Ismene heard with horror what Creon had decided. To Ismene, shocking as it was, overwhelming her with anguish for t

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Antigone and Ismene heard with horror what Creon had decided. To Ismene, shocking as it was, overwhelming her with anguish for t

he pitiful dead body and the lonely, homeless soul, it seemed, nevertheless, that nothing could be done except to acquiesce. She and Antigone were utterly alone. All Thebes was exulting that the man who had brought war upon them should be thus terribly punished. "We are women," she told her sister. "We must obey. We have no strength to defy the State." "Choose your own part," Antigone said. "I go to bury the brother I love." "You are not strong enough," Ismene cried. "Why, then when my strength fails," Antigone answered, "I will give up." She left her sister; Ismene dared not follow her.
–“The Royal House of Thebes,”
Edith Hamilton

How does the character of Ismene contrast with Antigone’s archetype?

Ismene represents a coward in comparison to Antigone’s heroine.
Ismene shows true leadership compared to Antigone’s cowardice.
Ismene shows quiet confidence, which is the opposite of Antigone’s leadership.
Ismene displays the physical strength of a warrior that Antigone does not have.

English

1 answer:

Gnom [6.4K] · Answer 1 · 2026-03-11T15:58:30+03:00

Answer:

Ismene is depicted as a coward compared to Antigone’s representation as a heroine.

Explanation:

Antigone is a pivotal figure in Greek mythology, inspiring various literary works, including plays, books, operas, and artwork. Residing in Thebes, which was embroiled in a civil war, she faced the tragic fate of her two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles, who battled for control of the throne on opposing sides. Following their deaths, Creon, the new leader of Thebes, honored Eteocles with a proper burial while condemning Polynices as a traitor, forbidding him a similar fate. The act of burial held immense significance in ancient Greek culture, as not being buried meant eternal unrest for the deceased in Hades. Antigone, unable to allow her brother's body to be left unburied and consumed by wildlife, resolved to grant him a funeral despite it opposing Creon's edict, risking her own execution. Her courageous decision stemmed from her love for her brother being stronger than her fear of punishment, contrasting sharply with Ismene's reaction, who, as Polynices's sister, exhibited an entirely different demeanor.