Ismene refuses to help bury Polyneices because she is afraid of the consequences of defying the king's decree. She tells Antigone, "No, I have no strength to break laws that are born for the common good" (Sophocles, Antigone, 522-523). Ismene is aware that Creon has declared it illegal to bury Polyneices and believes that it is her duty to obey the laws of the city. Additionally, she is mindful of the danger that defying Creon's decree could pose to herself and her family. She says to Antigone, "O Antigone, think how our father perished, hated, in disgrace, the mother and father both disgraced together, and how we too were branded ill-fated" (Sophocles, Antigone, 534-538), referring to the fate of their family members who came before them. Ismene's refusal to help bury Polyneices is driven by fear and a sense of duty to obey the laws of the city, even if they go against her personal beliefs.
