The play opens with the prologue consisting of dialogue between Antigone and her sister Ismene. What is the dramatic purpose of the prologue? What problem does Antigone report to her sister? What does Antigone intend to do? What is Ismene's reaction to this intention? What is Ismene's view of the relationship between men and women? Briefly analyze the characterization of these two women in the prologue. What dramatic purpose does the character of Ismene serve? Use specific quotes and page numbers to support your answers. Your blog response is due by Sunday, 9/27/09. Don't forget to read the parados, scene I and ode I of Antigone and complete your reading journal. Enjoy your weekend.
The purpose of this opening prologue is to show that Antigone is a really tough woman that wont stand for people getting in the way. She was trying to explain to her sister that she feels angry that they aren't giving their brother, Polyneices, a proper burial. Ismene feels as though it may be what she would like to do but she can't bear to think about what would happen should they get caught doing it. Ismene says, "We are only women, We cannot fight with men, Antigone!"
ReplyDeleteAntigone however, is perfectly willing to and says, "You may do as you like, since apparently the laws of the gods mean nothing to you."
I think that this scene sets the stage for the rest of the play and really shows the true nature of Antigone and Ismene.
The dramatic purpose of this prologue is to lay out the scene for what is going to happen throughout the rest of the play. It shows how important the difference between the two sister's personalities is. Additionally, the prologue is so dramatic that it hooks the readers, or in some cases viewers, from the start.
ReplyDeleteOn page 190, Antigone tells her sister that "Creon has sworn no one will bury him, no one mourn for him... Stoning to death in the public square!" That's a problem for the sisters because Polyneices was their brother, and now their king is saying no one can bury him even though he fought bravely and died miserably. Despite that, Antigone intends to bury him herself. Ismene reacts by saying, "But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do!" on page 191. The dramatic purpose of Ismene's character is to promote the fearful feeling in the audience since Ismene reacts so strongly to what Antigone is saying. Ismene is scared for Antigone, and that serves the purpose of showing how big of a deal it is for Antigone to go against the king to bury her brother.
Ismene views men and women as very separate people. In her mind, men are the big and strong ones. She thinks that women can't go against men's word, especially the king's word. On page 191, she says, "We are only women, We cannot fight with men, Antigone!"
Overall, I agree with what Theo said about the two women. Antigone is tough, and won't be messed with. She'll do what she has to in order to gets what she wants. Ismene, on the other hand, respects the law because she's too scared to do anything else, and she seems to care a lot about Antigone's well-being. The sisters are very different characters.
In my mind, the purpose of the dramatic prologue was to show hoe stron Antigone is compared to Ismane, as well as show the relationship that Antigone and Ismane have.
ReplyDeleteThe problem that Antigone reports to Ismane, is that her brother Polyneices is not allowed a proper burial because of previous actions that were thought of as disrespecting the country, even though the King is Polyneices' uncle. Antigone proposes and asks Ismane to help her bury her brother.
Ismane's response is not what Antigone wanted to hear. Ismane was worried of the risk that Antigone wanted to take. She doesn't want to take a risk, and possibly have to be exiled. This disturbs Antigone, because she thinks that her sister is being shallow because she doesn't even want to bury her brother. I think that I would feel the same way if I was in Antigone's position. On page 192, Antigone says "That must be your excuse, I suppose. But as for me, I will bury the brother I love."
These sisters couldn't be more different. Antigone is powerful and strong in spirit. Ismane is cautious, and unwilling to take risks.
I agree with Jesse, The drama is there to layout the future of the play. Basically Antigone and Ismene are the only two kids still alive out of the four born to Oedipus and Iocaste. They had two brothers, who killed each other. One is buried and one is laying in a field to be eaten by birds. This was a direct order from their uncle and the king, Creon.
ReplyDeleteOn page 191 Antigone says, "Ismene, I am going to bury him. Will you come?"
Her plan is to go against the law, bury her brother, possibly face death charges and she wants to pull her sister down with her.
Antigone is strong minded, and very tough as Theo said before. Ismene seems rather passive and quiet. Knowing Antigone's personality, it leads me to wonder is Antigone will persuade the soft and stooging Ismene into burying their brother.
The purpose of the prologue was to show that Antigone is a powerful and determined woman that will do anything she believes is right, even if it means fighting the law. Antigone reports to her sister that Creon has made a law that says no one shall bury her brother, and Antigone is not happy with this. Antigone plans on sneaking out and burying her brother, even at the risk of getting stoned. Ismene doesn't want to get involved, because she doesn't want to anger Creon and get killed. The quote Theo used, "We are only women, We cannot fight with men, Antigone!" is an excellent one for describing Ismeme and her personality. I think that this prologue shows how the rest of the play will unfold.
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ReplyDeleteThe purpose of the prologue was to show two of the characters and their personalities. Antigone is shown as a powerful woman who doesn't care what other people do or think as long as she does what she thinks is right.antigone tells her sister that Creon, the king, has made new law stating no one shall bury her brother. Antigone says that together they should fight this law. So Antigone plans on going against the law and burying her brother and she wont let Creon stand in her way. Ismene decides that this is a very bad idea and tells Antigone she will not do it. Ismene does not want Antigone to get thrown in jail, or worse so she requests she doen't go either. Ismene believes men have many rights over women and are more powerful and that women are meant to clean and cook and nothing more. I agree with the quote Theo used, "We are only women, we cannot fight with men Antigone!" is a verty good quote to describe Ismene's personality. It shows how she is the angel of the two women and how Antigone is the devil.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of the prologue was to show how strong Antigone was about beliveing that her brother needed a proper buriel. The problem Antigone reports to her sister is the new king is not giiving there brother a proper burile, and Antigone decided to give him a secert burile. Ismene's reaction to the situation is that yes he needs a proper burile but it is ileagle and she wants to help but she doesn't because she doesn't want to get in trouble.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of the prologue was to introduce the main characters and the drama before the real action occured. Antigone reports to her sister that besides the known fact that their two brothers killed each other, one was seen as a traitor and so was left out to be eaten by carrions. It was decreed by King Creon that anyone who tried to bury Polynieces would be stoned to death in the public square. Antigone intends to disobey this order and bury her brother out of loyalty to her family. Her sister, Ismene, is hesitant about helping because she is scared that the plan will surely end in disaster. "But think of the danger! Think what Creon will do!" (pg. 191) Ismene thinks that she isn't strong enough to go against Creon's order, and therefore is scared to help Antigone. Her view is that women aren't strong enough to challenge or partake in the deals of men. "And do what he has forbidden! We are only women, we cannot fight with men, Antigone!" (pg. 191)
ReplyDeleteIn the prologue we learn that Antigone is determined, loyal, and not afraid to do what she believes in. Take this quote for example, "I am not afraid of the danger;if it means death, it will not be the worst of deaths-death without honor." Ismene serves as the conservative sister who shows the reader how impossible and dangerous Antigone's plan is. I'm sure that Ismene cares for her un-buried brother, but she is too scared to do anything. "But I have no strength to break laws that were made for the public good." (pg. 192) Overall, the prologue is foreshadowing how the events in the play will turn out.
Ismene says on page 191 "We cannot fight with men, Antigone!" i think this shows that Ismene is conformed to the belief of the time period that men should and are in charge. Where as has a more "Creon is not strong enough to stand in my way." kind of atitude, head strong. This is going to play a large roll in the play because Antigone's plan for burring her brother is against Creon. Ismene refuses toi take part in this plan because her nature is to blindly follow rules vs Antigone who almost seems to want to break the rules.
ReplyDeleteThe dramatic purpose of having a prologue is to set the scene and the mood for what is to come. In this particular case, the prologue is showing that Antigone is a strong women that won't take "no" for an answer. It is showing the realtionship and the contrast between Antigone and her sister, Ismene.
ReplyDeleteThe problem that Antigone reports to her sister Ismene is that one of her brothers, Polyneices, will not be buried like their other brother Eteocles. This is because Eteocles dies fighting for thier contry and for the King. King Creon seems to think that Polyneices was not. So therefore, Polyneices won't be allowed to be buried. Antigone becomes very upset about this. She then hatches up the plan to bury him herself. She sees it fit to have him be buried, so, she decides she will do it herself.
In this prologue we learn how Antigone is very determined and strong compared to her sister Ismene. So, when Antigone tells her sister she intends to bury Polyneices, Ismene doesn't like the idea. On page 191 Ismene says, "We cannot fight with men..." This is confirming that she indeed is afraid, and does not want to mess with King Creon. I think that when it comes to the relationship between men and women, Ismene is much more conservatively thinking. She seems to think that men are much more dominent and powerful. It probably was true back then and she seemed ok with it. Antigone, however, was a different story.
These two sisters could not be more different. Antigone is a strong, independent, determined women that will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Ismene is much more shy and timid. She is a goody-two-shoes, and seems to be a bit self centered, as well as scared.
I think the dramtic purpose of Ismene is to really show how strong Antigone is compared to others in her family.
I agree with Ethan H when he said that this prologue is here to demonstrate how determined, and strong Antigone is before the real drama happens. I do think she is strong and won't stop at anything, even if it means disobeying the law, just like Ethan H said.