Summary

Ismene comes out from the palace and is accused by Creon of conspiring with Antigone. Ismene says she was involved and is prepared to die with her sister, but Antigone tells her to not be foolish and confess to something she did not do. Ismene argues that for her, to remain behind while Antigone dies is a kind of torturous living death, but Antigone says that Ismene should continue to live even if she (Antigone) dies. When Creon accuses her of being foolish, Ismene responds by challenging him to think about his son, Haemon, betrothed to Antigone. Creon insists he will not have his son marry a lawbreaker, and orders both Antigone and Ismene back into the house to prepare for death. After they’ve gone, and as Creon remains, the Chorus laments how the generations of suffering caused by the actions of one...