Ismene wants to keep this between her and Antigone only as to not risk Antigone’s life. Ismene is tied between family and state, whereas Antigone is completely for family before state. Antigone becomes furious when Ismene thinks that they should keep it between themselves, Antigone wants her to scream it from the rooftops who had buried Polynices. This shows that Antigone is more confident with her decision and is clearly the braver one of the two sisters. While playing Antigone I tried to give her a little more attitude than Ismene.
The fact that Antigone is now alone is this process does not slow her down at all; not even after Ismene warns her that the consequence of her actions could be death. “Our own death would be if we should go against Creon.” (Line 46, Pg 774). Due to Ismene’s lack of help, Antigone is feeling betrayed by her sister, but will continue on without her. “But as for me, I will bury the brother I love.” (Line 69, Pg 774). Later on when Antigone has buried her brother, Polynieces, she created yet another betrayal; this time on King Creon.
Typically, a husband who can’t consummate a marriage should be abandoned without hesitation. When Bertrande is “urged by her relatives to separate from Martin, she firmly refuse[s]” (28). This decision reveals Bertrande’s “certain character traits…a concern for her reputation as a woman, a stubborn independence” (28). Bertrande cleverly calculates the advantages she possesses as a result of Martin’s incompetence. “Her refusal to have her marriage dissolved…freed her temporarily from certain wifely duties…gave her a chance to have a girlhood” (28).
Antigone was also willing to change into a better person. She tried to get the idea of her “cursed” family out of her head, and attempted to stand up for her family by burying her brother. Even though her sister, Ismene, refused to help Antigone, Antigone still kept her mind on the goal. “You (Ismene) have made your choice; you can be what you want to be. But I will bury him; and if I must die, I say this crime is holy…” (Prologue.
Will you cast off pity,” again she gets nowhere and in a last plea before he get his men, she appeals to kindness and like of children. “Show some pity: you are a father too,” this is very clever as she does not actually like her children. 2. She manipulates Creon by pretending she is not a threat “I’m in no position-A woman- to wrong a King.” “I bear no grudge on your happiness:” and “I will bear my wrongs in silence.” She then appeals to his kindness to let her and her children stay. 3.
The fundamental source of conflict, between the characters, in the play is the importance to Antigone of honouring her family versus Creon’s determination to establish his authority as King. To each, the honour received or given is highly valued and greatly defines their personalities. Antigone is very dedicated to and loving of her family, in ‘Oedipus at Colonus’ she proves her love and dedication towards her family by accompanying her father as he blindly wandered, an outcast from his kingdom. Antigone’s love for her family, no matter what their previous crimes were, makes her determined that to honour her family was the right path to take ‘...what greater honour could [she] wish?’. Antigone is so determined to honour her brother, and equally certain that her path was the correct one that she believed that the punishment she would receive would ‘...not be any pain’ and would’ve been had she ‘...left [her] mother’s son lie there unburied.’ Antigone appeared to be unafraid of death, as she believed she lived in ‘...daily torment’ due to the inherited family “curse”.
In Antigone’s defense, loyalty cannot be granted overnight, but overtime or even in a full life’s span. For instance, Antigone suggests “Well when my strength is gone, then I’ll give up” (line 112). Antigone’s love, commitment, and devotion towards Polyneices continually motivates her to ensure that her brother receives his proper burial, even when she is denied assistance from her own sister Ismene to accompany her in her deeds. Moreover, through determination and direction from spirits higher than the sky, Antigone voices her opposing feelings against Creon’s invulnerable laws. For the Thebans, the newly enforced laws of Creon were expected to be abided by.
Creon was is driven by his responsibility to serve the state, while Antigone held upholds her decision to uphold family rights. As for meIn fact, neither one is ‘evil’ or ‘bad’ nor even wrong in their convictions; they just simply opposed each other. As for the ending, Antigone’s fate was is to die by her own hand and to make a powerful political statement (i.e.) in the process. In contrast, Creon is left shattered and ironically without family, having lost command of events after being so determined to remain in control.
Hero’s own father says “Death is the fairest cover for her shame” (IV i 122). He would rather see her dead than to have a daughter without honor. But Beatrice does not wish or hope for death on her cousin. She wants revenge on the man who took away Hero’s honor. Beatrice asks Benedick to kill Claudio for her.
(71) Antigone knows its illegal to bury her brother but for the sake of whats right she must. For example, when she says she will die a noble death” for I shall not not suffer aught so dread as an ignoble death.” She said to Ismene she would die noble. Ismene