What is Ismene's interest in 'Antigone'?

Answer 1

In the play 'Antigone', Ismene's interest is survival. She is a survivalist who finds security in respect for her perceived place in Theban society and in obedience of the current laws of the city. She sees her place as different from men, whom she defines as stronger and more capable of ruling as leaders. In contrast, she sees the role of women as weaker and more capable of obeying as followers. She finds it more important to be in good standing with earthly powers and royal laws than with the gods and divine laws. Additionally, Ismene wants a circumspect lifefar away from censure, controversy, and scandal. She in fact is traumatized by the scandals of her parents and her brothers. Her father unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother. The knowledge results in his own blinding, and in his wife's suicide. Ismene's twin brothers are the royal successors to their parents. But they further scandalize Thebes with their incapability to get along and share power. They end up killing each other, from opposing sides on a battlefield that pits Thebans against Thebans and Argives.