Introduction

The story of Antigone is an ancient Greek tragedy written by Sophocles. It is set in Thebes during the time of the Trojan War. In the play, Creon is the king of Thebes, and Ismene is his niece. The story follows the events that unfold after the death of Creon\’s brother, Polynices, who is killed in a battle against the invading Greeks. Creon decrees that Polynices\’ body must remain unburied and that anyone who tries to bury him will be punished. Ismene refuses to disobey the law and bury her brother, while her sister Antigone defies the law and attempts to bury him. This leads to a conflict between Creon and the two sisters, and ultimately, Creon must decide whether or not to punish Ismene.

The Debate Over Punishment

The debate over whether or not to punish Ismene for her refusal to bury Polynices is a major theme of the play. On the one hand, Ismene is a loyal subject of Creon, and her refusal to break the law is admirable. On the other hand, Ismene\’s decision not to bury her brother could be seen as cowardly, and some might argue that she deserves punishment for this. Creon\’s advisers have differing opinions on the matter, and it is ultimately up to Creon to decide what to do.

The Consequences of Punishment

If Creon decides to punish Ismene, it could have serious consequences for Thebes. Ismene is a popular figure in the city, and punishing her could cause unrest among the citizens. It could also damage Creon\’s reputation as a just and fair ruler, as punishing Ismene for refusing to break the law would be seen as unjust. Additionally, punishing Ismene could also lead to further conflict between Creon and Antigone, which could ultimately result in civil war in Thebes.

The Wisdom of Mercy

Despite the potential consequences of punishing Ismene, Creon ultimately decides to show mercy. He recognizes that Ismene is a loyal subject, and that punishing her would be seen as unjust. He also realizes that punishing Ismene could cause further conflict in Thebes, and he does not want to risk civil war. Instead, he chooses to show mercy and forgive Ismene, which ultimately proves to be the right decision.

Creon\’s Decision

In the end, Creon decides not to punish Ismene for her refusal to bury Polynices. This decision is wise, as punishing Ismene would likely cause more harm than good. Instead, he chooses to show mercy and forgive her, which ultimately proves to be the right decision. By doing so, he is able to prevent further conflict in Thebes and maintain his reputation as a just and fair ruler.

Conclusion

The story of Antigone is a timeless classic that explores the consequences of decisions made in times of crisis. In the story, Creon must decide whether or not to punish Ismene for her refusal to bury Polynices. After much debate, Creon ultimately decides to show mercy and forgive Ismene, which proves to be the right decision. This decision serves as a reminder that, even in times of crisis, we should strive to make decisions based on what is right, rather than what is easy.