What is Antigone’s plan, and what is Ismene’s response? Cite evidence from the text and explain your understanding.
Antigone's plan is to bury their brother Polyneices in defiance of King Creon's decree, which forbids the burial of the traitor. She asks Ismene to help her carry out this plan, but Ismene refuses, stating, "We are only women, we cannot fight with men, Antigone!" (Sophocles, Antigone, 54). Ismene is afraid of the consequences and does not want to disobey the king's orders.
Antigone's plan is driven by her loyalty to her family and her belief in the importance of giving proper burial rites to her brother. She is willing to defy the king and face the consequences in order to honor her brother and her family. Ismene, on the other hand, is more concerned with self-preservation and is not willing to take such risks.