Sophoclean Sisters: Reconsidering Antigone and Ismene

This study re-characterises Ismene through philological analysis and reception history, focusing on her role in the agones of Sophocles’ Antigone. This book offers a re-evaluation of Ismene in Sophocles’ Antigone, challenging the traditional view of her as merely a foil to her sister, Antigone. Through a close analysis of key passages, it argues for a more nuanced understanding of Ismene’s character, emotions and motivations, asserting that she is as compelling and fully realised as Antigone. This work contributes to ongoing debates about classical texts and their reception, highlighting the need to re-examine canonical works with fresh perspectives.While Antigone has often been celebrated as heroic, Ismene is typically dismissed as timid and conventional. This book disrupts such interpretations, examining how the relationship between the sisters reveals deeper complexities. Engaging with contemporary interdisciplinary approaches, it explores how historical ideologies have shaped the understanding of Antigone. It situates Ismene within broader conversations about agency, individuality and the representation of women in classical literature.