The Chorus and Ismene in Sophocles' Antigone Essay Sample

The Chorus and Ismene both underwent a character metamorphosis throughout the play Antigone. At the beginning of the play, the Chorus is thankful for the victory over the army of Polyneices and side with their new leader, Kreon and his laws, but by the end of the play they are affected by Teiresias' wise words and oppose what Kreon is doing. I personally believe that Ismene changed the most because she went from being an obedient girl who never broke the rules, to a guilty, desperate, and lonely girl who would rather die than live, even though she did nothing wrong. Because of these changes Kreon changed his mind about killing Antigone, but it was too late and forced Ismene to live a lonely life because she still lost her sister. 

Out of the two, I believe that the Chorus did develop and change their point of view, but there was not as much change as Ismene. In the beginning of the play, the Chorus says, “Oh bright beam of the sun, loveliest light that ever shone on the seven gated Thebes” (Sophocles 100 - 102). In the footnotes, this means that “The chorus invoke the newly risen sun in thanksgiving for the previous day’s victory over the army of Polyneices and Argives. Light is a common metaphor for escape from threatened disaster” (Sophocles pg. 24). The chorus was ecstatic about their victory in the war, however the deaths caused by the war did not affect them and they and did not think about how the deaths would affect others. They automatically sided with Kreon and his laws because he was their new leader. Teiresias seemed to be the only influential figure who thought otherwise. The wise words of Teiresias influenced the Chorus, and they told Kreon, “My lord, the man has gone from us with awful words of prophecy. And since the black hair on my head first turned to white, I know that he has never uttered to the city anything that turned out false.” Kreon replies, “I know it too, and I am shaken in my mind. To yield is awful; but, by standing firm, to strike with ruin my proud heart - why, that is awful too.” The chorus says, “You need to take good counsel now, Menoikeus’ son.” Kreon asks, “What should I do then? Tell me, and I shall obey.” The Chorus states, “Go, set the girl free from her rocky chamber, and construct a tomb for him who’s lying there exposed” (Sophocles 1091 - 1101). Their point of view changed after they stopped to think about how Antigone might feel and they realized that they were supporting the wrong idea. This shift caused Kreon to see how selfish he was being, and although he was hesitant, he did shortly decide to change his mind and let Antigone go. Unfortunately, it was too late and she had already taken her own life. 

Ismene underwent a major character change throughout the play because her entire personality shifted.  At the beginning of the play, it is quite obvious that Ismene is obedient, while Antigone is more outgoing and determined. A great example of this is when Antigone wants to bury her brother and asks for Ismene’s help. Ismene says, “What, bury him? When it’s forbidden to the city?” Antigone replies with, “Yes bury my own brother - and yours too - if you’re not willing. I will not be caught in treachery.” Ismene continues by saying, “Audacious one! Against Kreon’s express command?” Antigone still does not care about the law nor Kreon, as she says “He has no business keeping me from what is mine” (lines 44 - 48). Antigone will defiantly disobey the rules in order to do what she wants, because she feels like it is her duty and she is responsible for doing the right thing for her brother. Ismene does not agree with this. She thinks of the dangers and consequences of breaking the rules, therefore she feels obligated to obey them. However, her mindset seems to change towards the end of the play. When Antigone is caught for burying her brother, Ismene tries to confess by saying, “I did the deed-if she will join in saying so. I share in bearing the responsibility.” Antigone replies, “Justice will not allow this, since you did not want to do it, nor did I give you a share in it” (Sophocles lines 536 - 539). It becomes clear that Ismene wants to take a part of the responsibility for burying Polyneices. Ismene then says, “Don't, sister! Don't dishonor me by keeping me from joining in your death and rites for him who died” (Sophocles lines 544 - 545). It seems like Ismene thinks that by accepting blame for the burial she can also share the credit for it. However, Antigone continues to argue with Ismene because she will not let this slide. Ismene continues, “Wretch that I am! Must I miss sharing in your doom?” and Antigone replies by saying, “You must; you made the choice to live, and I to die” (Sophocles lines 554 - 555). Ismene was influenced by guilt and the fear of loneliness. This created a desire to share the accusation with Antigone, even though Ismene did nothing wrong. 

Both the Chorus and Ismene underwent some sort of character development that had an impact on the play's ending. The Chorus had a change in perspective and this caused Kreon to see his selfishness and change his mind about killing Antigone, and even though it was too late to save her, the Chorus helped Kreon change for the better. Ismene had a major personality change because she loved her sister so much and she was being devoured by guilt, desperation and the fear of loneliness. All this created was an argument with Antigone before she died, and Ismene would probably go on to live a lonely and depressing life because of it. Both of these changes were great to the plot of the play, and I believe that Ismene’s character metamorphosis was greater, while the Chorus left a larger impact on the ending of the play.