# Ismene — Oedipus at Colonus character guide

> Ismene in Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Exit Ismene

**First appearance:** 0002-oedipus-at-colonus

## Snapshot

Oedipus's younger daughter, who stays in Thebes but travels to Colonus bearing news of the brothers' war.

## Who they are

Ismene has remained in the city while Antigone walked into exile, and her arrival at Colonus carries the weight of that difference. She brings word of the oracle and of the fratricidal struggle between Polyneices and Eteocles, and she performs the ritual offerings the Erinyes require. Her presence widens the play's frame from one family's suffering to a city on the brink, and her capture by Creon's men shows that even the daughter who stayed home is not safe from Thebes's appetite.

## Relationships

### [Oedipus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/oedipus)

_family_

Ismene is Oedipus's daughter who brings him news from Thebes and supports him despite his curse.

### [Creon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/creon)

_rivalry_

Creon kidnaps Ismene to use as leverage against Oedipus, showing his ruthless manipulation.

### [Creon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/creon)

_rivalry_

Creon kidnaps Ismene to use as leverage against Oedipus, showing his ruthless manipulation.

### [Oedipus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/oedipus)

_family_

Ismene is Oedipus's daughter who brings him news from Thebes and supports him despite his curse.

## In the story

### [Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/chapters/dramatis-personae)

Daughter of Oedipus, sister to Antigone.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/chapters/endnotes)

Ismene tells Oedipus of the latest oracle and interprets its purport regarding the Theban invaders.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/ismene
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters