18 Matching Annotations
  1. May 2017
    1. For the curse on Oedipus:
    2. The law is strong, we must give in to the law

      The law is used as a metaphor here to represent men. In line 46 Ismene uses the words, "he and women". In line 47, she protest saying " We cannot fight with men", followed by " The law is strong". Here Ismene gives the law a physical character. Lastly, she said "we must give in to the law" which represents that women should give in to men. The "we" addresses her and Antigone who are both women.

    3. Creon is not enough to stand in my way.

      Antigone not only speak of Creon as a man and not the king here, but she also speaks to his strength as well as hers. We see her taking on a "man" rather than "the law"

    4. But I will bury him; and if I must die, 55 I say that this crime is holy: I shall lie down With him in death, and I shall be as dear

      The literary device foreshadowing is used here which serves as an indication to what will happen in the future or as the play progresses. Antigone accepts that dying will be a consequence to burying her brother.

    5. Our own death

      Death is not pluralized here which shows that Ismene is referring to the bond that they share as sisters rather than two separate beings.

    6. Oedipus died, everyone hating him For what his own search brought to light, his eyes Ripped out by his own hand; and Iocaste died, His mother and wife at once: she twisted the cords 40 That strangled her life; and our two brothers died, Each killed by the other’s sword. And we are left:

      Emphasis on deaths happening in pairs here. Ismene uses these deaths in pairs lending to the idea of "two" throughout the Theban plays. The literary device, allusion is used here again, so as to relate back to the previous plays.

    7. our good Creon

      Antigone uses sarcasm here. She does not see Creon as a good person based on the law he ordered. Her resentment for him is seen more as she uses to word "good" sarcastically so as to mock him.

    8. Why do you speak so strangely?

      Implies that Antigone's tone is different from her usual tone. Perhaps from subservient to opposing.

    9. That two sisters lost two brothers, a double death

      Ismene uses the word "two" two times in this sentence which implies the severity of the lost they have endured. She then says double which can be interpreted as a synonym for the word two. While "a double death" refers to both the physical death their brothers, the mention of "two sisters" refer to the emotional death they are experiencing.

    10. You would think that we had already suffered enough For the curse on Oedipus:

      The play opens with an allusion- a literary device used indirectly to reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural, literary or political significance. Here we see Antigone make reference to Oedipus, the story of Antigone's father and the second of the Theban play by Sophocles. Antigone is the third.

    11. must

      The word must implies a definitive decision.

  2. Feb 2017
    1. You are alive, but I belong to Death.

      This line contains two opposite states, one "alive" and the other "Death". However, after the first clause, "You are alive" the word "but" implies that the first clause is meant as a negative. Antigone sees being alive as the ultimate punishment for Ismene.

    2. I will not have you help me

      Antigone is referring to helping save her from Creon's wrath.

    3. You would not help me

      Although Ismene did not physically help, she did know of Antigone's plan. However, for Antigone, actions speak louder than words, and it doesn't matter if she knew, it is what she did that matters.

    4. Yes, if she will let me say so.

      Ismene response here contains two word pairs, 'if she' and 'let me', that represents Antigone as the sister who makes the decisions as well as the stronger voice of the two. Also, we see that Ismene looks up to her sister. Ismene has an opposite personality compared to her sister. For example, she is not as brave, in fact, she is cowardly.

    5. No more, Ismene. You are alive, but I belong to Death.

      Throughout the dialogue Ismene served as a foil character to Antigone, allowing Antigone's characteristics and personality to stand out. However, Antigone ends the dialogue with a questionable tone. In the previous lines, her devotion to the Gods, her willingness to die to uphold their will, and her rebellious and strong nature can be seen. Nonetheless, I think here we see Antigone as the victim of an unjust order from the Creon. Though, Death it also seems like death is her ultimate goal since only then she can be with the Gods, who she is somewhat infatuated with.

    6. my

      The word "my" in this statement represents Creon's need for power and what's important to him. While he could have said "the throne" he uses "my" which implies ownership and who exactly the throne belongs to.

    7. I shall have honor

      Antigone's devotion to the law of the Gods outweigh that of the law of land, and it is her belief that she will receive her rewards in the after life.