Antigone vs Ismene
Antigone and ismene both want to bury their brother and want
to follow their tradition and pay him respect. However Ismene views the law of
the kingdom is the highest thing to be followed above everything. She doesn’t want
to disobey Creons and he is the representation of this law. Ismene believes
that the only solution is to obey the law even if it asks both Antigone and
Ismene to disrespect their brother. Antigone has the complete opposite idea to
Ismene. She believes that loyalty to her family trumps everything. It shows how
Antigone seems to not care about the law or the consequences that come with it
as well. Even though her brother is considered as a traitor by Creon, she still
shows loyalty to her brother by going against the law. Antigone shows how
uncooperative she is as she strongly disagrees with the law. She portrays that
no can convince or stop her from her beliefs. Ismene is reasonable and
understands her place. Ismene fears the law, authority, and death. She is not
willing to risk her life to tribute her brother’s death by burying him.
There is a big difference, of course, between respecting the law and fearing it. Ismene does not seem to me to entirely respect the law, but rather fears it. She constantly brings up the subject of death as repayment for disobedience. This isn't respect or reverence for the law, it is fear.
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