Antigone vs. Ismene
...inst this law, especially since Creon’s punishment for doing so is death. Antigone portrays how extremely courageous she is in the fact that she is willing to sacrifice her own life in order to save her brother’s suffering soul. In addition, Ismene explains to Antigone the dangers of her plan and advises her to give in to the laws of the city, but Antigone, in great disagreement, outrageously responds, “Leave me my foolish plan: / I am not afraid of the danger; if it means death, / It will not be the worst of deaths- death without / honor” (Pro.79-82). This shows that Antigone strongly believes in obeying the laws of the gods, which state that a body is to be given proper burial rights. She feels that the laws set by the gods override the laws set by the king. Antigone proves that she would rather obey the divine laws and die, rather than to defy them and live. Antigone’s strong-willed qualities and her high belief in divine law are released through the conflict of Polyneices’ burial. On the other hand, the denial of Polyneices’ burial brings out the cowardly characteristics in Ismene, and also distinguishes her regard for the laws of the city. For instance, when Antigone suggests to Ismene that they should bury their brother, she doubtfully replies, “Bury him! You have just said the new law forbids it,” and as Antigone attempts to reply Ismene breaks in, “But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do!”(Pro.31-34). This conversation reveals how weak and powerless Ism...