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Why is Ismene important in 'Antigone'?
That she is her sister's foil is the reason why Ismene is important in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a foil describes a character who is the opposite of another. The description fits Theban Princess Ismene's character, which is the opposite of her sister Antigone's. For example, Ismene represents cautious, inexperienced, practical youth. In contrast, Antigone stands for passionate, rash, stubborn rebellion. Their names sum up the very way in which they serve as foils to each other, with Antigone meaning "antagonistic" and Ismene "knowledgeable."
Is Ismene the antagonist or the protagonist in 'Antigone'?
No, Ismene is neither the protagonist nor the antagonist in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene is not the protagonist because she is not the main character around whom the play's action revolves. She is not the antagonist because she does not get in the way of or harm the protagonist. Instead, her sister Antigone is the protagonist, and her uncle Creon is the antagonist.
How does Ismene feel about what Antigone wants her to do in 'Antigone'?
Very scared is the way in which Ismene feels about what Antigone wants her to do in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone wants to break a royal edict by burying her brother Polyneices. The crime carries the death penalty. Antigone is not afraid of breaking the law or facing the punishment, but her sister Ismene is.
Why is Antigone angry with Ismene?
First, Antigone is angry with Ismene for docilely and passively accepting the rule of mortal men. Ismene thinks that men rule and women obey. Antigone doesn't think that way at all.Second, Antigone is angry with Ismene for not helping to bury their brother Polyneices. Antigone doesn't have the strength to do a below ground burial. Without Ismene's assistance, their brother will get a symbolic burial by being covered with a thin layer of dirt. That isn't going to be much protection against the weather and wildlife.Third, Antigone is angry with Ismene for suggesting that the illegal partial burial and funeral service be kept secret. Antigone equates that with cowardice and self centeredness.Fourth, Antigone is angry with Ismene for trying to join her in a death sentence after not joining in on the lawbreaking. Antigone has a strong personality that's motivated by passionately held convictions. As far as she's concerned, you don't change horses in mid stream. So she takes someone at their first word and accepts no flip flopping. You're either with her or against her, with nothing in between.
What does Ismene's response say about her character in 'Antigone'?
That she is cautious, scared and young is what Ismene's response says about her character in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene hesitates to break the law since she sees law abiding citizenship as the safest course in a city trying to heal from a recent civil war. She is afraid of engaging in criminal activity that carries a humiliating, painful death sentence. She lacks the experience to be able to figure out how to beg, cajole or intimidate her way out a situation in which she has the distinct disadvantage.
Why is Ismene important in 'Antigone'?
That she is her sister's foil is the reason why Ismene is important in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a foil describes a character who is the opposite of another. The description fits Theban Princess Ismene's character, which is the opposite of her sister Antigone's. For example, Ismene represents cautious, inexperienced, practical youth. In contrast, Antigone stands for passionate, rash, stubborn rebellion. Their names sum up the very way in which they serve as foils to each other, with Antigone meaning "antagonistic" and Ismene "knowledgeable."
Is Ismene the antagonist or the protagonist in 'Antigone'?
No, Ismene is neither the protagonist nor the antagonist in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene is not the protagonist because she is not the main character around whom the play's action revolves. She is not the antagonist because she does not get in the way of or harm the protagonist. Instead, her sister Antigone is the protagonist, and her uncle Creon is the antagonist.
How does Ismene feel about what Antigone wants her to do in 'Antigone'?
Very scared is the way in which Ismene feels about what Antigone wants her to do in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone wants to break a royal edict by burying her brother Polyneices. The crime carries the death penalty. Antigone is not afraid of breaking the law or facing the punishment, but her sister Ismene is.
How are Antigone and Ismene the same in 'Antigone'?
That they love their family is the way in which Antigone and Ismene are the same in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban sister princesses Antigone and Ismene both care about the family into which they are born. But Antigone is older and more willing to give physical and verbal proof of her feelings. In contrast is Ismene, who is young, more easily cowed and less willing to express and defend her familial loyalty until she is backed up against the wall and faces the prospect of being alone with her fears and timidity.
What do Antigone's and Ismene's differences and likenesses say about human nature in 'Antigone'?
That people have beliefs which come about through experience is what Antigone's and Ismene's differences and likenesses say about human nature in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the phrase human nature describes ways of being and doing that humans share. It can be said to find its application in the play by way of the interactions between the very different yet similar sister Theban Princesses Antigone and Ismene. For example, Antigone and Ismene hold convictions that come about through response to processing experiences in different ways.
Why is Antigone angry with Ismene?
First, Antigone is angry with Ismene for docilely and passively accepting the rule of mortal men. Ismene thinks that men rule and women obey. Antigone doesn't think that way at all.Second, Antigone is angry with Ismene for not helping to bury their brother Polyneices. Antigone doesn't have the strength to do a below ground burial. Without Ismene's assistance, their brother will get a symbolic burial by being covered with a thin layer of dirt. That isn't going to be much protection against the weather and wildlife.Third, Antigone is angry with Ismene for suggesting that the illegal partial burial and funeral service be kept secret. Antigone equates that with cowardice and self centeredness.Fourth, Antigone is angry with Ismene for trying to join her in a death sentence after not joining in on the lawbreaking. Antigone has a strong personality that's motivated by passionately held convictions. As far as she's concerned, you don't change horses in mid stream. So she takes someone at their first word and accepts no flip flopping. You're either with her or against her, with nothing in between.
What does Ismene's response say about her character in 'Antigone'?
That she is cautious, scared and young is what Ismene's response says about her character in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene hesitates to break the law since she sees law abiding citizenship as the safest course in a city trying to heal from a recent civil war. She is afraid of engaging in criminal activity that carries a humiliating, painful death sentence. She lacks the experience to be able to figure out how to beg, cajole or intimidate her way out a situation in which she has the distinct disadvantage.
Why does Creon include Ismene in the sentence in 'Antigone'?
That she is Antigone's sister and that she is uncharacteristically upset are the reasons why Creon includes Ismene in the sentence in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Creon knows that Princess Antigone is the culprit in the burying of her brother Polyneices. To his way of thinking, the criminal and the crime fit perfectly since Antigone has a lifelong track record of folly. But at the same time, in his mind, the two do not fit regarding Ismene, who has a lifelong track record of wisdom.
What is the main difference between Antigone and Ismene in 'Antigone'?
Risk-taker versus intimidated is the main difference between Antigone and Ismene in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone has a daunting personality that leads her to risk her life for a cause. There is nothing quiet about the way she goes about burying her brother Polyneices, a crime punishable by execution. In contrast, her sister Princess Ismene makes every effort to comply with the laws of her daunting uncle King Creon who intimidates her.
How does Antigone see Ismene's decision not to disobey the king's order in 'Antigone'?
That she is blasphemous, cowardly selfish and unworthy is the way in which Antigone sees Ismene's decision not to disobey the king's order in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone cannot stand idly by while her brother Polyneices' body is disfigured and dismembered by weather and wildlife. She criticizes her sister Princess Ismene for being cowed by their uncle King Creon's illegal edict of non-burial of the disloyal Theban dead. She describes Ismene as disrespecting their family as well as the gods and traditions of Thebes.
How are Antigone and Ismene different?
Antigone and Ismene are sisters. The story centres around the undignified way in which their brother's body has been left (at the time the women of the family would prepare the body for burial), and the king has made it illegal to bury him. Antigone believes that justice would be served if she defies the law, risking death if she is caught, and buries her brother. Ismene abides by the law and does not help to bury the body.
How do you compare and contrast Antigone and Ismene in 'Antigone'?
Devoted to family but older and more determined versus younger and more vulnerable is a way to compare and contrast Antigone and Ismene in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban sister Princesses Antigone and Ismene love the family into which they are born. They cling to their memories of domestic bliss and public adulation before the great fall of their parents, disgraced King Oedipus and Queen Jocasta. But Antigone benefits from her older years and is more courageous, daring and determined in her defense of family and feeling.
