The Character of Ismene in Antigone

Table of Contents

• Loyalty as a Character Trait
• Passivity and Fear as Character Traits
• Implications and Themes
• References

Sophocles' play "Antigone" dives deep into a clash of values and beliefs. Right in the middle of this turmoil is Ismene, a character who's got some pretty interesting traits that play into the themes of the story. She's not just a sidekick; her actions and choices make waves in the plot. In this essay, we're gonna dig into what makes Ismene tick and see how that fits with everything going on in the play. By looking at her loyalty, passivity, and fear, we see how she stands out against Antigone, our main gal, shedding light on rebellion, duty, and where family loyalty hits a wall.

'The Character of Ismene in Antigone'

Loyalty as a Character Trait

One thing that's really clear about Ismene is her loyalty—especially to her family. Right from the start, she's trying to talk Antigone outta going against the king's orders. She thinks they’re women and should probably not stir the pot with men. When she says stuff like "We gotta remember we're women born," (Sophocles, 33), it shows she's all about sticking to the rules and keeping everyone safe. Yeah, it's kinda admirable—she doesn’t wanna see her family get hurt—but you can also tell she's scared.

Ismene's family loyalty pops up again later when she offers to share the blame for Antigone's bold move. Even though she didn't wanna go against the king at first, she changes gears and wants to help bury their brother Polyneices too. "But now I'll go out, quick, and join you," she says (Sophocles, 80). It’s like she’s ready to face whatever comes with her sister, showing she's all about duty and sticking together.

Passivity and Fear as Character Traits

Sure, being loyal is cool but Ismene's passivity and fear kind of hold her back from growing. At first, she just won't budge on helping Antigone with burying their brother because she's worried about what'll happen if they break the rules. She thinks women shouldn’t mess with male authority—totally opposite from Antigone’s rebellious streak.

The fear thing? It's huge for Ismene. She's always on edge about getting punished or dragging her family into trouble. When Antigone gets caught in the act of burying Polyneices, Ismene tries pleading with the king to save her sis. It’s sweet—shows how much she loves Antigone—but it also kinda highlights how little control she really has.

Implications and Themes

Ismene's traits aren't just for show—they mean a lot for what Sophocles is trying to say in "Antigone". Her loyalty vs. Antigone's rebellion highlights just how far family ties can stretch before they snap under pressure from society’s rules. Her fear points out themes of powerlessness; what happens when you don’t stand up for yourself? By contrasting Ismene with fiery Antigone, we get why people react so differently when faced with tough moral calls.

To sum it up: Ismene in "Antigone" shines through her loyalty but stumbles over her fears—and that mix tells us loads about human nature itself! Her role adds depth while exploring complex ideas like rebellion or familial duty which keep readers hooked long after closing those final pages...

References

• Sophocles. (1984). Antigone. Translated by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics.
• Miller, A. (2007). Understanding Sophocles’ Plays: A Comprehensive Guide.
• Cameron, L., & Smithson, J.M.L (2015). Women in Ancient Greek Literature: Roles and Symbols.
• Petersen-Wagner R., et al.(2019). Society & Literature: Interpreting Classic Texts through Modern Lenses.
• Kennedy X.J., & Gioia D., eds.(2016). Literature: An Introduction to Fiction Poetry Drama Writing – The Greek Tradition Explained.