Monday, January 26, 2009
Antigone
Antigone presents a paradox because her actions appear to be done from love of her family yet when Ismene offers to share the guilt/pain with antigone, Antigone rebuffs her and says that Ismene did not take the same risk and therefore does not deserve to share the honor. Although Antigone and Ismene are sisters they are very different. Antigone sees things in black and white, either Ismene is a "true sister" or a "traitor to her family". Antigone cannot see that Ismene is scared of the consequences and feels helpless/powerless to take action against Creon because she fears retribution. Ismene does not approve of what Antigone is doing, Ismene thinks Antigone's choice is reckless and Antigone doesn't realize how it will after other people. However, Ismene still appreciates what Antigone is trying to do for their brother, saying Antigone is "a loyal friend indeed to those who love you." On the other hand, Antigone is calls Ismene a traitor and is very harsh towards her. Antigone cannot see the middle ground that Ismene sees. Antigone see only that Ismene is not helping her not that Ismene is praising her courage, risking her own safety by promising to no tell anyone what Antigone is doing, and possible yearning to have the strength to help Antigone and honor her brother.
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6 comments:
Good job in comparing the character of both Antigone and Ismene. They are very different and you are clear in showing that they do not quite understand one another.
Hola Mr. Ginsburg,
What an original blog! :] I really like how you compared the two female characters. You did an awesome job of showing that although they are sisters, they are extremely different and how they misunderstood each other. Again, super blog!
Very interesting blog Elliot, I enjoyed reading it. I think you give a very good analysis of the characters. I especially liked how you painted Ismene as the more relatable character because she is willing to see moral grays. You bring up a good point: that Ismene's human element gives her the potential to be a great person. Good job.
Great Elliot son of Howard protector of the light and finder of lost children,
I appreciate you blog. Your insight was quite insightful. Not many blogs have gone the route of Antigone and Ismene. You Antigone and Ismene what a threesome, that should be on Nip/Tuck.
Rob
Big E--The idea of the middle ground is a good one, and I think it's relevant to what happens in the play. Creon is another character who has trouble finding it, so perhaps he and Antigone are more alike than they might at first appear. But the comparison of the two sisters is certainly a way to get at the question.
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