The Sisterly Battle Between Antigone And Ismene
In the play Oedipus at Colonus written by Sophocles, we see a great story play out of the end of the life of a great hero, Oedipus. Although the play is predominantly focused on his familial struggles trying to be resolved before his death, an interesting backstory can be seen taking place between both of Oedipus’s daughters: Antigone and Ismene. Both have great power and influence over what takes place, but once sister takes on more responsibility than the other, shedding light on the issues of family roles and importance. There is a sense of dependence that is not equally distributed between Antigone and Ismene. Even though each daughter provides assistance to Oedipus, the relationship that Oedipus has with Ismene is weaker as compared to the firm and unwavering relationship that he has with Antigone.
Oedipus's incompetence is clear from the very starting of the play, explaining why he depends on Antigone time and again. This is understandable due to her fathers physical conditions as well as what role she chooses to take on as a daughter. When they arrive at the sacred grove at Colonus, Oedipus asks Antigone to go searching and find out if anyone lives close. She says that she can see a man approaching to which Oedipus replies with more inquiries: 'Is he coming this way? Has he started towards us?' (I, 30). Even after the stranger leaves, Oedipus is unable to tell whether the stranger has exited; Antigone needs to tell him so. Antigone also helps Oedipus by warning him that she sees the Chorus approaching. Oedipus, once a great intellectual and honored man, is not even capable of responding to a straightforward request of his name without the aid of Antigone. This is seen when he asks: 'My child, what can I say to them?' (ii, 214). Additionally, Oedipus can be seen needing help with every little move he makes, even for the mere act of being seated: 'Help me sit down; take care of the blind man.' (I, 21). He acts as an elderly man, as he is one, but quickly starts to lose sight of his own capabilities and rely more on the support given by the people around him. Luckily for Oedipus, his relationship with Antigone reaches a point where Antigone no longer needs instructions from her father since she understands so well what he requires. She shows a large sense of understanding when saying 'After so long, you need not tell me father' (I, 22). Even though Antigone helps her father with everything, Oedipus's reliance on Antigone seems to weigh greatly on her ability to see for him, emphasizing Oedipus's blindness and impotence, as well as the strength of Oedipus's relationship with Antigone. But mostly this dependence only goes as far in relation to issues with his vision. Although it may seem obvious that a blind man requires heavy assistance, Antigone’s forward thinking behaviour goes to show a sense of maturity and responsibility which her sister seems to lack.
Oedipus and Antigone have a mutual understanding and commitment with each other, supporting the very idea that their affinity is bigger than the attachment between Oedipus and Ismene. When Ismene and Antigone are freed from Creon's guards, Oedipus solely requests to feel the touch of Antigone to make sure that she is safe, not showing any care or consideration for his other daughter. To which Antigone quickly replies, 'It shall be as you ask; I wish it as much as you' (v, 1106). Oedipus even directly states the superiority if Antigone by saying, 'I have what is dearest to me in the world. To die, now, would not be so terrible, Since [Antigone is] near me' (v, 1110-1111). Their relationship is so strong that even after Oedipus goes off to die Antigone cannot stand to be without him. She is the one in the play who is shown to be more emotional and considerate regarding the undisclosed location of her father's death and the related mourning. Antigone even goes so far as to ask why she could not join her father, whereas Ismene selfishly replies, 'O pity! What is left for me?' (v, 1715). Not once does Antigone hesitate about her sense of duty to her father, regardless of the futility of the task. Ismene, on the other hand, does not seem dependable or careful in any way.
Upon a further look of Ismene's reaction to her father's death, particularly in contrast to that of Antigone's, it is seen that her devotion to Oedipus has barely impacted her life. When Antigone suggests going to to find Oedipus after he leaves to die, Ismene fearfully replies, 'Why, what shall we do?' (viii, 1723). After Oedipus leaves, Antigone is left yearning for her father whereas Ismene seems to already have forgotten him and moved on, saying, 'For what [are you longing], -- tell me!' (viii, 1725). Ismene even makes excuses in order to avoid further visiting her father: 'But that is not permitted. Do you not see?' (viii, 1728). Immediately, it is shown that the passionate feelings that Antigone holds for her father are not present in Ismene.
Ismene is not nearly so close with her father, as she sees herself being useless with respect to Oedipus's most terrible loss— his eye sight. It also appears that Ismene has some problems with her own eyesight as well. Some of Ismene's first lines are about her not being able to see her father and sister as well when she complains, 'O father and sister together! Dearest voices! Now I have found you— how, I scarcely know— I don't know how I shall see you through my tears!' (ii, 324-326). Interestingly, immediately thereafter, she exclaims that she can hardly bear to look at her father because of the cruel fate that he has suffered. Ismene seems to have her priorities mixed up and be distracted by pity and shame in a way that Antigone is not. Giving additional support to the fact that Ismene's dedication to Oedipus does not seem as great as Antigone's.
Although Ismene does not help her father as much as her sister, it is more important to the blind Oedipus that she does offer some sensible help to her father in other terms. It is Ismene who goes to perform the rites of atonement to pacify the spirits on whose ground Oedipus and Antigone trespassed at the very beginning of the play when entering the new city. Ismene is also the one that tells Oedipus of Polyneices whereabouts. She lets her father know that Creon is coming to Oedipus, to which Oedipus replies to hear, 'To do what, daughter? Tell me about this' (ii, 398). It is also from Ismene that Oedipus learns that Creon and Polyneices, separately and on the recommendation of the oracles, seek their fathers’ blessing and body to help them in their battles for control of Thebes, selfishly showing the lack of care Oedipus’s sons have compared to his daughters. This information that Ismene provides is important to Oedipus since it serves as another point to consider when selecting where to be buried for his death, therefore showing that Oedipus is also dependent on Ismene to a great deal.
Despite Oedipus's faltering and lack of self-sufficiency, as well as the differences within his daughters, he would not be able to survive without the assistance of both of his daughters. They each assist Oedipus in their own unique ways, and it seems that this help takes the shape of accommodation; Ismene presumably takes the place of Oedipus's ears whereas Antigone takes the place of his eyes. Both of these senses showing to be important, but at the end of the day also showing the true value and benefits between them. But one aspect that must not be overlooked is the fact that Oedipus still has his ears and his sense of hearing. Oedipus's reliance on Antigone for the loss of his eyes combined with the utter dedication that Antigone and Oedipus have to one another demonstrates that Oedipus has a stronger bond with Antigone than he ever did with Ismene. He completely trusts and relies on one daughter due to sight, but the other is just partial dependence, also going to show the true important amongst the sisters as well.
Although both sisters end up playing a vital role for the support of their father, throughout the play it becomes clear that one sister takes on a bigger role and cares more for her father than the other does. Despite similar backgrounds and circumstances, it goes to show how different personalities and role identities can help shape the relationships that form between people. Both Antigone and Ismene were able to help their father, and although a “better sister” decision can’t be reached, it can definitely be understood that Antigone, due to her nature, took on a more serious role towards the end of her father's life, compared to Ismene we can be characterized as a more carefree spirit. Even though each daughter provides great assistance to Oedipus, the relationship that Oedipus has with Ismene is weaker as compared to the firm and solid relationship that he has with Antigone.
