ANTIGONE

(c.441B.C.)
bySophocles(c.496406B.C.)
TranslatedbyDudleyFittsandRobertFitzgerald
AdaptedfortheWashingtonHallmainstagebyMarkPilkinton
TheUniversityofNotreDame
DepartmentofFilm,Television,&Theatre
28November2December2001

CHARACTERS
ANTIGONE,daughterofOedipus
ISMENE,daughterofOedipus
EURYDICE,wifeofCreon
CREON,KingofThebes,uncleofAntigoneandIsmene
HAIMON,sonofCreon,engagedtoAntigone
TEIRESIAS,Ablindseer/prophet
SENTRY,Asoldierwhokeepswatch
MESSENGER,Asoldierwhobringsnews
CHORAGOS,leaderoftheChorus
CHORUS,15eldersofThebes
Scene:BeforethepalaceofCreon,KingofThebes.Acentraldoubledoor,andtwolateraldoors.Aplatformextendsthe
lengthofthefaade,andfromthisplatformthreestepsleaddownintotheorchestra,ordancingplace.Or,simply,infrontof
thepalaceatThebes.
Time:DawnofthedayaftertherepulseoftheArgivearmyfromtheassaultonThebes,andthebrothersEteoclesand
Polyneiceshavekilledeachother.

~~~Prologue~~~
(AntigoneandIsmeneenter.)
1... ANTIGONE Ismene,dearsister,
2...
Youwouldthinkthatwehadalreadysufferedenough
3...
Forthecurseonourfather,Oedipus.
4...
Icannotimagineanygrief
ThatyouandIhavenotgonethrough.Andnow
5...
Havetheytoldyouofthenewdecreeofouruncle,KingCreon?
6... ISMENE
Ihaveheardnothing.Iknow
7...
Thattwosisterslosttwobrothers,adoubledeath
8...
InasinglehourandIknowthattheArgivearmy
9...
Fledinthenightbutbeyondthis,nothing.
10...
11...

ANTIGONE
Ithoughtso.AndthatiswhyIwantedyou
Tocomeoutherewithme.Thisissomethingwemustdo.

12...

ISMENE

13...
14...

ANTIGONE
Listen,Ismene:
Creonburiedourbrother,Eteocles,

Whydoyouspeaksostrangely?

15...
16...
17...
18...
19...
20...
21...
22...
23...
24...
25...
26...
27...

Withmilitaryhonors,gavehimasoldier'sfuneral,
AnditwasrightthatheshouldbutPolyneices,
Whofoughtasbravelyanddiedasmiserably,
TheysaythatCreonhassworn
Nooneshallburyhim,noonemournforhim,
Buthisbodymustlieinthefields,asweettreasure
Forcarrionbirdstofindastheysearchforfood.
Thatiswhattheysay,andourgoodCreoniscominghere
Toannounceitpubliclyandthepenalty
Stoningtodeathinthepublicsquare!
Thereitis,
Andnowyoucanprovewhatyouare:
Atruesisteroratraitortoyourfamily.

28...

ISMENE

Antigone,youaremad!WhatcouldIpossiblydo?

29...

ANTIGONE

Youmustdecidewhetheryouwillhelpmeornot.

30...

ISMENE

Idonotunderstandyou.Helpyouinwhat?

31...

ANTIGONE

Ismene,Iamgoingtoburyhim.

32...

ISMENE

Buryhim!Youhavejustsaidthenewlawforbidsit.

33...

ANTIGONE

Heismybrother.Andheisyourbrother,too.

34...

ISMENE Butthinkofthedanger!ThinkwhatCreonwilldo!

35...

ANTIGONE

Creonisnotstrongenoughtostandinmyway.

36... ISMENE
Ahsister!Oedipusdied,everyonehatinghimforwhathisownsearchbroughttolight,
hiseyesrippedoutbyhisownhand,andJocastadied,hismotherandwifeatonce,ourmother:shetwistedthe
cordsthatstrangledherlifeandourtwobrothersdied,eachkilledbytheother'ssword.Andweareleft.But,
oh,Antigone,thinkhowmuchmoreterriblethanthisourowndeathwouldbeifweshouldgoagainstCreon
anddowhathehasforbidden!Weareonlywomen.Wecannotfightwithmen,Antigone!Thelawisstrong,
wemustgiveintothelawinthisthing.IbegtheDeadtoforgiveme,butIamhelpless:Imustyieldtothosein
authority,andIthinkitisdangerousbusinesstobealwaysmeddling.

37... ANTIGONE
Ifthatiswhatyouthink,thenIshouldnotwantyou,evenifyouaskedtocome.You
havemadeyourchoiceyoucanbewhatyouwanttobe.ButIwillburyhim,andifImustdie,Isaythatthis
crimeisholy.Ishallliedownwithhimindeath,andIshallbeasdeartohimashetome.Itisthedead,not
theliving,whomakethegreatestdemands:wedieforever...
38...

ISMENE Ihavenostrengthtobreaklawsthatweremadeforthepublicgood.

39...

ANTIGONE

Thatmustbeyourexcuse,Isuppose.Butasforme,IwillburythebrotherIlove.

40...

ISMENE

Antigone,Iamsoafraidforyou!

41...

ANTIGONE

Youneednotbe:youhaveyourselftoconsider,afterall.

42...

ISMENE

Butnoonemusthearofthis,youmusttellnoone!Iwillkeepitasecret,Ipromise!

43...

ANTIGONE

Otellit!Telleveryone!

44...

ISMENE Sofiery!Youshouldbecoldwithfear.

45...

ANTIGONE

46...

ISMENE Butcanyoudoit?Isaythatyoucannot.

47...

ANTIGONE

48...

ISMENE Impossiblethingsshouldnotbetriedatall.

Perhaps.ButIamdoingonlywhatImust.

Whenmystrengthgivesout,Ishalldonomore.

49... ANTIGONE
Goaway,Ismene:Ishallbehatingyousoon,andthedeadwill,too.Foryourwords
arehateful.Leavememyfoolishplan:Iamnotafraidofthedangerifitmeansdeath,itwillnotbetheworst
ofdeathsdeathwithouthonor.
50... ISMENE Gothen,ifyoufeelthatyoumust.Youareunwise,butaloyalfriendindeedtothosewholove
you.
(Exit)

Parodos
Strophe1
51...
52...
53...
54...
55...
56...
57...
58...
59...
60...
61...
62...
63...

CHORUS Nowthelongbladeofthesun,lying
Leveleasttowest,toucheswithglory
ThebesoftheSevenGates.Open,unlidded
Eyeofgoldenday!Omarchinglight
AcrosstheeddyandrushofDirce'sstream,
Strikingthewhiteshieldsoftheenemy
thrownheadlongbackwardfromtheblazeofmorning!
CHORAGOS
Polyneicestheircommander
Rousedthemwithwindyphrases
Hethewildeaglescreaming
Insultsaboveourland,
Hiswingstheirshieldsofsnow,
Hiscresttheirmarshaledhelms.

Antistrophe1
64... CHORUS Againstoursevengatesinayawningring
65... Thefamishedspearscameonwardinthenight'
66... Butbeforehisjawsweresatedwithourblood,
67... Orpinefiretookthegarlandofourtowers,
68... Hewasthrownback,andasheturned,greatThebes
69... Notendervictimforhisnoisypower
70... Roselikeadragonbehindhim,shoutingwar.
71...
72...

CHORAGOS
ForGodhatesutterly
Thebrayofbraggingtongues

73...
74...
75...
76...
Strophe2
77...
78...
79...
80...
81...

82...
83...
84...
85...
86...
87...
88...
89...

Andwhenhebeheldtheirsmiling,
Theirswaggerofgoldenhelms,
Thefrownofhisthunderblasted
Theirfirstmanfromourwalls.

CHORUS Weheardhisshoutoftriumphhighintheair
Turntoascreamfaroutinaflamingarc
Hefellwithhiswindytorch,andtheearthstruckhim.
Andothersstorminginfurynolessthanhis
Foundshockofdeathinthedustyjoyofbattle.
CHORAGOS
Sevencaptainsatsevengates
Yieldedtheirclangingarmstothegod
Thatbendsthebattlelineandbreaksit.
Thesetwoonly,brothersinblood,
Facetofaceinmatchlessrage,
Mirroringeachother'sdeath
Clashedinlongcombat.

Antistrophe2
90... CHORUS Butnowinthebeautifulmorningofvictory
91... LetThebesofthemanychariotssingforjoy!
92... Withheartsfordancingwe'lltakeleaveofwar:
93... Ourtemplesshallbesweetwithhymnsofpraise,
94... Andthelongnightsshallechowithourchorus.

~~~SCENE1~~~
95... CHORAGOS
ButnowatleastournewKingiscoming.CreonofThebes,Menoeceus'sson.Inthis
auspiciousdawnofhisreign,whatarethenewcomplexitiesthatshiftingFatehaswovenforhim?Whatishis
counsel?Whyhashesummonedustohearhim?
(EnterCreonfromthepalace,center.HeaddressestheChorusfromthetopstep.)
96... CREON Gentlemen:IhavethehonortoinformyouthatourShipofState,whichrecentstormshave
threatenedtodestroy,hascomesafelytoharboratlast,guidedbythemercifulwisdomofHeaven.
(Cheersfromthecrowd.)
97... IhavesummonedyouherethismorningbecauseIknowthatIcandependuponyou:yourdevotionto
KingLaioswasabsoluteyouneverhesitatedinyourdutytoourlaterulerOedipus,andwhenOedipusdied,
yourloyaltywastransferredtohischildren.Unfortunately,asyouknow,histwosons,theprincesEteocles
andPolyneices,havekilledeachotherinbattle:andI,asthenextinline,havesucceededtothefullpowerof
thethrone.
98... Iamaware,ofcourse,thatnoRulercanexpectcompleteloyaltyfromhissubjectsuntilhehasbeentested
inoffice.Nevertheless,IsaytoyouattheveryoutsetthatIhavenothingbutcontemptforthekindof
Governorwhoisafraid,forwhateverreason,tofollowthecoursethatheknowsisbestfortheState:andas
forthemanwhosetsprivatefriendshipabovethepublicwelfare,Ihavenouseforhim,either.IcallGodto
witnessthatifIsawmycountryheadedforruin,Ishouldnotbeafraidtospeakoutplainlyandindeedhardly
remindyouthatIwouldneverhaveanydealingswithanenemyofthepeople.Noonevaluesfriendshipmore

highlythanIbutwemustrememberthatfriendsmadeattheriskofdestroyingtheStatearenotrealfriends
atall.
99... Thesearemyprinciples,atanyrate,andthatiswhyIhavemadethefollowingdecisionconcerningthe
sonsofOedipus.Eteocles,whodiedasamanshoulddie,fightingforhiscountry,istobeburiedwithfull
militaryhonors,withalltheceremonythatisusualwhenthegreatestheroesdie,
(Positivereactionfromcrowd.)
100... buthisbrotherPolyneices,whobrokehisexiletocomebackwithfireandswordagainsthisnativecity
andtheshrinesofhisfathers'gods,
(Boosfromcrowd.)
101... whoseoneideawastospillthebloodofhisbloodandsellhisownpeopleintoslavery
(Moreboos.)
102... Polyneices,Isay,istohavenoburial,nomanistotouchhimorsaytheleastprayerforhim
(Thisisasurpriseforthecrowd,andtheyareshockedattheseverityofthedecree.)
103... Heshalllieonthisplain,unburied,andthebirdsandthescavengingdogscandowithhimwhateverthey
like.
(Uttersilencefromthecrowd.)
104... Thisismycommand,andyoucanseethewisdombehindit.AslongasIamKing,notraitorisgoingtobe
honored.
105... CHORAGOS
Ifthisisyourwill,Creon,sonofMenoeceus,Youhavetherighttoenforceit.Weare
yours.
(Chantsof"WEAREYOURS!"Thecrowdisbackwithhim,maybebecauseoffear.)
106... CREON

Thatismywill.Takecarethatyoudoyourpart.

107... CHORAGOS
108... CREON

Whatisitthatyouwouldhaveusdo?

Youwillgivenosupporttowhoeverbreaksthislaw.

109... CHORAGOS

Onlyacrazymanisinlovewithdeath!

110... CREON Anddeathitisyetmoneytalks,andthewisesthavesometimesbeenknowntocountafew

coinstoomany.

(EntrySentryfromleft.)
111... SENTRY I'llnotsaythatI'moutofbreathfromrunning,King,becauseeverytimeIstoppedtothink
aboutwhatIhavetotellyou,Ifeltlikegoingback.Andallthetimeavoicekeptsaying,"Youfool,don'tyou
knowyou'rewalkingstraightintotrouble?"andthenanothervoice,"Yes,butifyouletsomebodyelsegetthe
newstoCreonfirst,itwillbeevenworsethanthatforyou!"Butgoodsensewonout,atleastIhopeitwas
goodsense,andhereIamwithastorythatmakesnosenseatallbutI'lltellitanyhow,because,astheysay,
what'sgoingtohappenisgoingtohappenand
112... CREON

Cometothepoint.Whathaveyoutosay?

113... SENTRY Ididnotdoit.Ididnotseewhodidit.Youmustnotpunishmeforwhatsomeoneelsehas

done.
114... CREONAcomprehensivedefense!Moreeffective,perhaps,IfIknewitspurpose.Come,whatis
it?

115... SENTRY Adreadfulthing...Idon'tknowhowtoputit

116... CREON

Outwithit!

117... SENTRY Well,thethedeadmanPolyneices

(Pause.TheSentryisovercome,fumblesforwordsCreonwaitsimpassively.)
118... outtheresomeone,Newdustontheslimyflesh!Someonehasgivenitburialthatway,andgone...
(Longpause.Creonfinallyspeakswithdeadlycontrol.)
119... CREON

Andthemanwhodareddothis?

120... SENTRY IswearIdonotknow!Youmustbelieveme!Thegroundwasdry,notasignofdigging,no,

notawheeltrackinthedust,notraceofanyone.Itwaswhentheyrelievedusthismorning,andoneofthem,
thecorporal,pointedtoit.Thereitwas,thestrangestLook:Thebody,justmoundedoverwithlightdust,you
see?Notburiedreally,butasifthey'dcovereditJustenoughfortheghost'speace.Andnosignofdogsor
anywildanimalthathadbeenthere.
121... Andthenwhatascenetherewas!Everymanofusaccusingtheother.Weallprovedtheothermandid
it.Weallhadproofthatwecouldnothavedoneit.Wewerereadytotakehotironinourhands,Walkthrough
fire,swearbyallthegods"ItwasnotI!IdonotknowwhoitwasbutitwasnotI!"
(Creon'sragehasbeenmountingsteadily,buttheSentryistoointentuponhisstorytonoticeit.)
122... Andthen,whenthiscametonothing,someonesaidAthingthatsilencedusandmadeusstaredownat
theground,youhadtobetoldthenews,Andoneofushadtodoit!Wethrewthedice,andthebadluckfellto
me.SohereIam,nohappiertobeherethanyouaretohaveme.Nobodylikesthemessengerwhobringsbad
news.
123... CHORAGOS

Ihavebeenwondering,King.Canitbethatthegodshavedonethis?

124... CREON (Furiously.)Stop!Thegods"!Intolerable!Thegodsfavorthiscorpse?Why?Howhadhe

servedthem?Triedtoloottheirtemples,burntheirimages,Yes,andthewholeState,anditslawswithit!Isit
yoursenileopinionthatthegodslovetohonorbadmen?ApiousthoughtNo,fromtheverybeginningThere
havebeenthosewhohavewhisperedtogether,Stiffneckedanarchists,puttingtheirheadstogether,Scheming
againstmeinalleys.Thesearethemen,Andtheyhavebribedmyownguardtodothisthing.
(Hehasfigureditout,hethinks.)
125... Money!There'snothingintheworldsodemoralizingasmoney.Downgoyourcities,Homesgone,men
gone,honestheartscorrupted,Crookednessofallkinds,andallformoney!
(ToSentry)
126... ButyouIswearbyGodandthethroneofGod.Themanwhohasdonethisthingshallpayforit!Find
thatman,bringhimheretome,oryourdeathwillbetheleastofyourproblems:I'llstringyouupalive!And
theprocessmayteachyoualessonyouseemtohavemissed:afortunewonisoftenmisfortune.
127... SENTRY King,mayIspeak?
128... CREON

Yourveryvoicedistressesme.

129... SENTRY Areyousurethatismyvoice,andnotyourconscience?

130... CREON

ByGod,hewantstoanalyzemenow!

131... SENTRY ItisnotwhatIsay,butwhathasbeendone,thathurtsyou.

132... CREON

Youtalktoomuch.

133... SENTRY Maybe,butI'vedonenothing.

134... CREON

Soldyoursoulforsomesilverthat'sallyou'vedone.

135... SENTRY Howdreadfulitiswhentherightjudgejudgeswrong!

136... CREON Yourfiguresofspeechmayentertainyounow.Bringmetheman.
(ExitCreonintothepalace.)
137... SENTRY "Bringmetheman!"I'dlikenothingbetterthanbringinghimtheman!Butbringhimornot,
youhaveseenthelastofmehere.Atanyrate,Iamsafe!
(ExitSentry.)

Ode1
Strophe1
138...
139...
140...
141...
142...
143...

CHORUS Numberlessaretheworld'swonders,butnone
Morewonderfulthanmanthestormgraysea
Yieldstohisprows,thehugecrestsbearhimhigh
Earth,holyandinexhaustible,isgraven
Withshiningfurrowswherehisplowshavegone
Yearafteryear,thetimelesslaborofstallions.

Antistrophe1
144... Thelightbonedbirdsandbeaststhatclingtocover,
145... Thelithefishlightingtheirreachesofdimwater,
146... Allaretaken,tamedinthenetofhismind
147... Theliononthehill,thewildhorsewindymaned,
148... Resigntohimandhisbluntyokehasbroken
149... Thesultryshouldersofthemountainbull.

Strophe2
150... Wordsalso,andthoughtasrapidasair,
151... Hefashionstohisgoodusestatecraftishis
152... Andhistheskillthatdeflectsthearrowsofsnow,
153... Thespearsofwinterrain:fromeverywind
154... Hehasmadehimselfsecurefromallbutone:
155... Inthelatewindofdeathhecannotstand.
Antistrophe2
156... clearintelligence,forcebeyondallmeasure!
157... fateofman,workingbothgoodandevil!
158... Whenthelawsarekept,howproudlyhiscitystands!
159... Whenthelawsarebroken,whatofhiscitythen?
160... Nevermaytheanarchicmanfindrestatmyhearth,
161... Neverbeitsaidthatmythoughtsarehisthoughts.

~~~Scene2~~~
(ReenterSentryleadingAntigone.)
162... CHORAGOS
Whatdoesthismean?SurelythiscaptivewomanisthePrincess,Antigone?
Whyshouldshebetaken?
163... SENTRY

Hereistheonewhodidit!Wecaughtherintheveryactofburyinghim.Whereis

Creon?
164... CHORAGOS

Justcomingfromthehouse.

(EnterCreon,center.)
165... CREON Whathashappened?Whyhaveyoucomebacksosoon?
166... SENTRY (Expansively.)OKing,Amanshouldneverbetoosureofanything:Iwouldhavesworn

Thatyou'dnotseemehereagain:yourangerFrightenedmeso,andthethingsyouthreatenedmewith,But
howcouldItellthenThatI'dbeabletosolvethecasesosoon?Nodicethrowingthistime:Iwasonlytoo
gladtocome!Hereisthiswoman.Sheistheguiltyone:Wefoundhertryingtoburyhim.Takeher,then
questionherjudgeherasyouwill.Iamthroughwiththewholethingnow,andgladofit.
167... CREON ButthisisAntigone!Whyhaveyoubroughtherhere?
168... SENTRY Shewasburyinghim,Itellyou!
169... CREON (severely)Isthisthetruth?
170... SENTRY Isawherwithmyowneyes.CanIsaymore?
171... CREON Tellmequickly!
172... SENTRY Itwaslikethis:Afterthoseterriblethreatsofyours,King,wewentbackandbrushedthe

dustawayfromthebody.Thefleshwassoftbynow,andstinking,sowesatonahillupwindandkept
guard.Nonappingthistime!Wekepteachotherawake.Andthenwelooked,andtherewasAntigone!I
haveseenamotherbirdcomebacktoastrippednest,heardhercryingbitterlyabrokennoteortwoforthe
youngonesstolen,justso,whenthisgirlfoundthebarecorpse,andallherlove'sworkwasted,shewept,
andcriedonheaventodamnthehandsthathaddonethisthing.Andthenshebroughtmoredustand
sprinkledwinethreetimesforherbrother'sghost.Weranandtookheratonce.Shewasnotafraid,not
evenwhenwechargedherwithwhatshehaddone.Shedeniednothing.
173... CREON (slowly,dangerously)Andyou,Antigone,youwithyourheadhanging,doyouconfessthis

thing?
174... ANTIGONE

Ido.Idenynothing.

175... CREON Youmaygo.

(ExitSentry.)
(ToAntigone.) Tellme,tellmebriefly:hadyouheardmyproclamationtouchingthismatter?
8

176... ANTIGONE

Itwaspublic.CouldIhelphearingit?

177... CREON Andyetyoudareddefythelaw.

178... ANTIGONE

Idared.ItwasnotGod'sproclamation.ThatfinalJusticethatrulestheworldmakes
nosuchlaws.Youredict,King,wasstrong,butallyourstrengthisweaknessitselfagainsttheimmortallaws
ofGod.Theyarenotmerelynow:theywere,andshallbe,operativeforever,beyondmanutterly.
179... IknewImustdie,evenwithoutyourdecree:Iamonlymortal.Cananyoneliving,asIlive,withevilall
aboutme,thinkDeathlessthanafriend?Thisdeathofmine
180... isofnoimportancebutifIhadleftmybrotherlyingindeathunburied,Ishouldhavesuffered.NowI
donot.Yousmileatme.Ah,Creon,thinkmeafool,ifyoulike,butitmaywellbethatafoolconvictsmeof
folly.
181... CHORAGOS

Likeherfather,Oedipus,bothheadstronganddeaftoreason!Shehasnever

learnedtoyield.
182... CREON Shehasmuchtolearn.Theinflexibleheartbreaksfirst,thetoughestironcracksfirst,and

thewildesthorsesbreaktheirnecksatthepullofthesmallestcart.Pride?Inaslave?Thisgirlisguiltyofa
doubleinsolence,breakingthegivenlawsandboastingofit.Whoisthemanhere,sheorI,ifthiscrime
goesunpunished?Sheandhersisterwinbitterdeathforthis!
(ToServants)
183... Go,someofyou,arrestIsmene.Iaccuseherequally.Bringher:youwillfindhersnifflinginthehouse
there.Hermind'satraitor:crimeskeptinthedarkcryforlight,buthowmuchworsethanthisisbrazen
boastingofbarefacedanarchy!
184... ANTIGONE

Creon,whatmoredoyouwantthanmydeath?

185... CREON Nothing.Thatgivesmeeverything.

186... ANTIGONE

ThenIbegyou:killme.Thistalkingisagreatwearinessyourwordsaredistasteful
tome,andIamsurethatmineseemsotoyou.Andyettheyshouldnotseemso:Ishouldhavepraiseand
honorforwhatIhavedone.Allthesemenherewouldpraisemeweretheirlipsnotfrozenshutwithfearof
you.(Bitterly)Ahthegoodfortuneofkings,licensedtosayanddowhatevertheyplease!

187... CREON Youarealonehereinthatopinion.

188... ANTIGONE

No,theyarewithme.Buttheykeeptheirtonguesinleash.

189... CREON Maybe,butyouareguilty,andtheyarenot.

190... ANTIGONE

Thereisnoguiltinreverenceforthedead.

191... CREON ButEteocleswashenotyourbrother,too?

192... ANTIGONE

Mybrother,too.

193... CREON Andyouinsulthismemory?

194... ANTIGONE

(softly)ThedeadmanwouldnotsaythatIinsultit.
9

195... CREON Hewould:foryouhonoratraitorasmuchashim.

196... ANTIGONE

Hisownbrother,traitorornot,andequalinblood.

197... CREON Hemadewaronhiscountry.Eteoclesdefendedit.

198... ANTIGONE

Nevertheless,therearehonorsdueallthedead.

199... CREON Butnotthesameforthewickedasforthejust.

200... ANTIGONE

Ah,Creon,Creon.Whichofuscansaywhatthegodsholdwicked?

201... CREON Anenemyisanenemy,evendead.

202... ANTIGONE

Itismynaturetojoininlove,nothate.

203... CREON (finallylosingpatience)Gojointhemthenifyoumusthaveyourlove.Finditinhell!

204... CHORAGOS

Butsee,Ismenecomes:

(EnterIsmene,guarded)
205... Thosetearsaresisterly,thecloudthatshadowshereyesraindowngentlesorrow.
206... CREON Youtoo,Ismene,snakeinmyorderedhouse,suckingmybloodstealthilyandallthetimeI

neverknewthatthesetwosisterswereaimingatmythrone!Ismene,doyouconfessyourshareinthis
crime,ordenyit?Answerme.
207... ISMENE Yes,ifshewillletmesayso.Iamguilty.
208... ANTIGONE

(coldly)No,Ismene.Youhavenorighttosayso.Youwouldnothelpme,
andIwillnothaveyouhelpme.

209... ISMENE ButnowIknowwhatyoumeantandIamheretojoinyou,totakemyshareof

punishment.
210... ANTIGONE

Thedeadmanandthegodswhorulethedeadknowwhoseactthiswas.Words

arenotfriends.
211... ISMENE Doyourefuseme,Antigone?Iwanttodiewithyou:ItoohaveadutythatImustdischarge

tothedead.
212... ANTIGONE

Youshallnotlessenmydeathbysharingit.

213... ISMENE WhatdoIcareforlifewhenyouaredead?

214... ANTIGONE

AskCreon.You'realwayshangingonhisopinions.

215... ISMENE Youarelaughingatme.Why,Antigone?

216... ANTIGONE

It'sajoylesslaughter,Ismene.

217... ISMENE ButcanIdonothing?

10

218... ANTIGONE

Yes.Saveyourself.Ishallnotenvyyou.TherearethosewhowillpraiseyouIshall

havehonor,too.
219... ISMENE Butweareequallyguilty!
220... ANTIGONE

Nomore,Ismene.Youarealive,butIbelongtoDeath.

221... CREON (totheChorus)GentlemenIbegyoutoobservethesegirls:onehasjustnowlosthermind

theother,itseems,hasneverhadamindatall.
222... ISMENE Griefteachesthesteadiestmindstowaver,King.
223... CREON Yourscertainlydid,whenyouassumedguiltwiththeguilty!
224... ISMENE ButhowcouldIgoonlivingwithouther?
225... CREON Youare.Sheisalreadydead.
226... ISMENE Butyourownson'sbride!
227... CREON Thereareplacesenoughforhimtopushhisplow.Iwantnowickedwomenformysons!
228... ISMENE OdearestHaimon,howyourfatherwrongsyou!
229... CREON I'vehadenoughofyourchildishtalkofmarriage!
230... CHORAGOS

Doyoureallyintendtostealthisgirlfromyourson?

231... CREON NoDeathwilldothatforme.

232... CHORAGOS

Theshemustdie?

233... CREON (ironically)Youdazzleme.Butenoughofthistalk!

(ToGuards)You,there,takethemawayandguardthemwell:fortheyarebutwomen,andevenbravemenrun
whentheyseeDeathcoming.
(ExeuntIsmene,Antigone,andGuards)

Ode2
Strophe1
234...
235...
236...
237...
238...
239...

CHORUSFortunateisthemanwhohasnevertastedGod'svengeance!
Whereoncetheangerofheavenhasstruck,thathouseisshaken
Forever:damnationrisesbehindeachchild
Likeawavecrestingoutoftheblacknortheast,
Whenthelongdarknessundersearoarsup
Andburstsdrummingdeathuponthewindwhippedsand.

Antistrophe1
240... Ihaveseenthisgatheringsorrowfromtimelongpast
241... LoomuponOedipus'schildren:generationfromgeneration
242... Takesthecompulsiverageoftheenemygod.
11

243... SolatelythislastflowerofOedipus'sline
244... Drankthesunlight!Butnowapassionateword
245... Andahandfulofdusthaveclosedupallitsbeauty.

Strophe2
246...
247...
248...
249...
250...
251...
252...
253...

Whatmortalarrogance
TranscendsthewrathofZeus?
Sleepcannotlullhimnortheeffortlesslongmonths
Ofthetimelessgods:butheisyoungforever,
AndhishouseistheshiningdayofhighOlympus.
Andthatisandshallbe,
Andallthepast,ishis.
Noprideonearthisfreeofthecurseofheaven.

Antistrophe2
254... Thestrayingdreamsofmen
255... Maybringthemghostsofjoy:
256... Butastheydrowse,thewakingembersburnthem
257... Ortheywalkwithfixedeyes,asblindmenwalk.
258... Buttheancientwisdomspeaksforourowntime:
259... Fateworksmostforwoe
260... WithFolly'sfairestshow.
261... Man'slittlepleasureisthespringofsorrow.

~~~Scene3~~~
262... CHORAGOS

ButhereisHaimon,King,thelastofallyoursons.IsitgriefforAntigonethatbrings
himhere,andbitternessatbeingrobbedofhisbride?

(EnterHaimon.)
263... CREON Weshallsoonsee,andnoneedofdiviners.Son,youhaveheardmyfinaljudgmentonthat
girl:haveyoucomeherehatingme,orhaveyoucomewithdeferenceandwithlove,whateverIdo?
264... HAIMON

Iamyourson,father.Youaremyguide.Youmakethingsclearforme,andIobey
you.Nomarriagemeansmoretomethanyourcontinuingwisdom.

265... CREON Good.Thatisthewaytobehavesubordinateeverythingelse,myson,toyourfather'swill.

Soyouarerightnottoloseyourheadoverthiswoman.Yourpleasurewithherwouldsoongrowcold,
Haimon,Andthenyou'dhaveahellcatinbedandelsewhere.Letherfindherhusbandinhell!Ofallthe
peopleinthiscity,onlyshehashadcontemptformylaw.
266... Thewomandies.Isupposeshe'llplead"familyties."Well,lether.IfIpermitmyownfamilytorebel,

howshallIearntheworld'sobedience?Showmethemanwhokeepshishouseinhand,he'sfitforpublic
authority.I'llhavenodealingswithlawbreakers,criticsofthegovernment:Whoeverischosentogovern
shouldbeobeyedMustbeobeyed,inallthings,greatandsmall,Justandunjust!OHaimon,themanwho
knowshowtoobey,andthatmanonly,knowshowtogivecommandswhenthetimecomes.Youcan
12

dependonhim,nomatterhowfastthespearscome:he'sagoodsoldier,he'llstickitout.Anarchy,anarchy!
Showmeagreaterevil!Thisiswhycitiestumbleandthegreathousesfall,thisiswhatscattersarmies!No,
no:goodlivesaremadegoodbydiscipline.Wekeepthelawsthen,andthelawmakers,andnowoman
shallseduceus.Ifwemustlose,let'slosetoaman,atleast!Isawomanstrongerthanwe?
267... CHORAGOS

Unlesstimehasrustedmywits,whatyousay,King,issaidwithpointand

dignity.
268... HAIMON

(boyishlyearnest)Father:reasonisGod'scrowninggifttoman,andyouareright
towarnmeagainstlosingmine.IcannotsayIhopethatIshallneverwanttosay!thatyouhavereasoned
badly.Yetthereareothermenwhocanreason,tooandtheiropinionsmightbehelpful.Youarenotina
positiontoknoweverythingthatpeoplesayordo,orwhattheyfeel:yourtemperterrifieseveryonewilltell
youonlywhatyouliketohear.ButI,atanyrate,canlistenandIhaveheardthemmutteringandwhispering
inthedarkaboutthisgirl.Theysaynowomanhasever,sounreasonably,diedsoshamefuladeathfora
generousact:"Shecoveredherbrother'sbody.Isthisindecent?Shekepthimfromdogsandvultures.Is
thisacrime?Death?Sheshouldhaveallthehonorthatwecangiveher!"Thisisthewaytheytalkout
thereinthecity.Youmustbelieveme:nothingisclosertomethanyourhappiness.Ibegyou,donotbe
unchangeable:donotbelievethatyoualone!canberight.Itisnotreasonablenevertoyieldtoreason!

269... Infloodtimeyoucanseehowsometreesbend,andbecausetheybend,eventheirtwigsaresafe,while

stubborntreesaretornup,rootsandall.Forgetyouareangry!Letyourselfbemoved!IknowIamyoung
butpleaseletmesaythis:theidealconditionwouldbe,Iadmit,thatmenshouldberightbyinstinctbut
sincewearealltoolikelytogoastray,thereasonablethingistolearnfromthosewhocanteach.
270... CHORAGOS

Youwilldowelltolistentohim,King,Ifwhathesaysissensible.Andyou,
Haimon,mustlistentoyourfather.Bothspeakwell.

271... CREON Youconsideritrightforamanofmyyearsandexperiencetobeschooledbyaboy?

272... HAIMON

ItisnotrightifIamwrong.ButifIamyoung,andright,whatdoesmyagematter?

273... CREON Youthinkitrighttostandupforananarchist?

274... HAIMON

Notatall.Ipaynorespecttocriminals.

275... CREON Thensheisnotacriminal?

276... HAIMON

TheCitywoulddenyit,toaman.

277... CREON AndtheCityproposestoteachmehowtorule?

278... HAIMON

Ah.Whoisitthat'stalkinglikeaboynow?

279... CREON MyvoiceistheonevoicegivingordersinthisCity!

280... HAIMON

ItisnotaCityifittakesorderfromonevoice.

281... CREON TheStateistheKing!

13

282... HAIMON

Yes,iftheStateisadesert.

(Pause)
283... CREON Thisboy,itseems,hassoldouttoawoman.
284... HAIMON

Myconcernisonlyforyou.

285... CREON So?Your"concern"!Inapublicbrawlwithyourfather!

286... HAIMON

Howaboutyou,inapublicbrawlwithjustice.

287... CREON Withjustice,whenallthatIdoiswithinmyrights?

288... HAIMON

YouhavenorighttotrampleonGod'sright.

289... CREON (completelyoutofcontrol)Fool,adolescentfool!Takeninbyawoman!

290... HAIMON

You'llneverseemetakeninbyanythingvile.

291... CREON Everywordyousayisforher!

292... HAIMON

(quietly,darkly)Andforyou.Andforme.Andforthegods.

293... CREON You'llnevermarryherwhileshelives.

294... HAIMON

Thenshemustdie.Butherdeathwillcauseanother.

295... CREON Another?Haveyoulostyoursenses?Isthisanopenthreat?

296... HAIMON

Thereisnothreatinspeakingtoemptiness.

297... CREON Iswearyou'llregretthissuperiortoneofyours!Youaretheemptyone!

298... HAIMON

Ifyouwerenotmyfather,I'dsayyouwereperverse.

299... CREON Yougirlstruckfool,don'tplayatwordswithme!

300... HAIMON

Iamsorry.Youprefersilence.

301... CREON Now,byGodIswear,byallthegodsinheavenaboveus,You'llwatchit,Iswearyou

shall!
(Totheservants.)
302... Bringherout!Bringthewomanout!Letherdiebeforehiseyes!Here,thisinstant,withherbridegroom
besideher!
303... HAIMON

Nothere,noshewillnotdiehere,King.Andyouwillneverseemyfaceagain.Go
onravingaslongasyou'veafriendtoendureyou.
(ExitHaimon.)
304... CHORAGOS

Gone,gone.Creon,ayoungmaninarageisdangerous!

14

305... CREONLethimdo,ordreamtodo,morethanamancan.Heshallnotsavethesegirlsfromdeath.
306... CHORAGOS Thesegirls?Youhavesentencedthemboth?
307... CREONNo,youareright.Iwillnotkilltheonewhosehandsareclean.
308... CHORAGOS ButAntigone?
309... CREON(somberly)Iwillcarryherfarawayoutthereinthewilderness,andlockherlivinginavault

ofstone.Sheshallhavefood,asthecustomis,toabsolvetheStateofherdeathandtoescapepollution.
Andthereletherpraytothegodsofhell:Theyareheronlygods:perhapstheywillshowheranescape
fromdeath,orshemaylearn,thoughlate,thatpiety[pity]shownthedeadispiety[pity]invain.
(ExitCreon.)

Ode3
Strophe
310...
311...
312...
313...
314...
315...
316...
317...

CHORUSLove,unconquerable
Wasterofrichmen,keeper
Ofwarmlightsandallnightvigil
Inthesoftfaceofagirl:
Seawanderers,forestvisitor!
EventhepureImmortalscannotescapeyou,
Andmortalman,inhisoneday'sdusk,
Tremblesbeforeyourglory.

Antistrophe
318... Surelyyouswerveuponruin
319... Thejustman'sconsentingheart,
320... Ashereyouhavemadebrightanger
321... Strikebetweenfatherandson
322... AndnonehasconqueredbutLove!
323... Agirl'sglanceworkingthewillofheaven:
324... Pleasuretoheralonewhomocksus,
325... MercilessAphrodite.

~~~Scene4~~~
326...
327...
328...
329...
330...

CHORAGOS (AsAntigoneentersguarded.)
ButIcannolongerstandinaweofthis,
Nor,seeingwhatIsee,keepbackmytears.
HereisAntigone,passingtothatchamber
Whereallfindsleepatlast.

Strophe1
331... ANTIGONELookuponme,friends,andpityme
332... Turningbackatthenight'sedgetosay
333... Goodbytothesunthatshinesformenolonger

15

334... NowsleepyDeath
335... SummonsmedowntoAcheron,thatcoldshore:
336... Thereisnobridesongthere,noranymusic.
337...
338...
339...
340...

CHORUSYetnotunpraised,notwithoutakindofhonor,
Youwalkatlastintotheunderworld
Untouchedbysickness,brokenbynosword.
Whatwomanhaseverfoundyourwaytodeath?

Antistrophe1
341... ANTIGONEHowoftenhaveIheardthestoryofNiobe,
342... Tantalus'swretcheddaughter,
343... theysay
344... Therainfallsendlessly
345... Andsiftingsoftsnowhertearsareneverdone.
346... Ifeelthelonelinessofherdeathinmine.
347...
348...
349...
350...

CHORUSButshewasbornofheaven,andyou
Arewoman,womanborn.Ifherdeathisyours,
Amortalwoman's,isthisnotforyou
Gloryinourworldandintheworldbeyond?

Strophe2
351...
352...
353...
354...
355...
356...
357...
358...

ANTIGONEYoulaughatme.Ah,friends,friends,
CanyounotwaituntilIamdead?Oh,Thebes,
menmanycharioted,inlovewithFortune,
DearspringsofDirce,sacredThebangrove,
Bewitnessesforme,deniedallpity,
Unjustlyjudged!andthinkawordoflove
Forherwhosepathturns
Underdarkearth,wheretherearenomoretears.

359...
360...
361...
362...

CHORUSYouhavepassedbeyondhumandaringandcomeatlast
IntoaplaceofstonewhereJusticesits.
Icannottell
Whatshapeofyourfather'sguiltappearsinthis.

Antistrophe2
363... ANTIGONE
Youhavetoucheditatlast:thatbridalbed
364... Unspeakable,horrorofsonandmothermingling:
365... Theircrime,infectionofallourfamily!
366... Oedipus,fatherandbrother!
367... Yourmarriagestrikesfromthegravetomurdermine.
368... Ihavebeenastrangerhereinmyownland:
369... Allmylife
16

370... Theblasphemyofmybirthhasfollowedme.
371...
372...
373...
374...

CHORUSReverenceisavirtue,butstrength
Livesinestablishedlaw:thatmustprevail.
Youhavemadeyourchoice,
Yourdeathisthedoingofyourconscioushand.

Epode
375... ANTIGONE

Thenletmego,sinceallyourwordsarebitter,andtheverylightofthesun
iscoldtome.Leadmetomyvigil,whereImusthaveneitherlovenorlamentationnosong,butsilence.

(Creoninterruptsimpatiently.)
376... CREON Ifdirgesandplannedlamentationscouldputoffdeath,menwouldbesingingforever.
(TotheServants.)
377... Takeher,go!Youknowyourorders:takehertothevaultandleaveheralonethere.Andifshelivesor
dies,that'sheraffair,notours:ourhandsareclean.
378... ANTIGONE

Otomb,vaultedbridebedineternalrock,soonIshallbewithmyownagainwhere
Persephonewelcomesthethinghostsunderground:andIshallseemyfatheragain,andyou,mother,and
dearestPolyneicesdearestindeedtome,sinceitwasmyhandthatwashedhimcleanandpouredtheritual
wine:Andmyrewardisdeathbeforemytime!
379... Andyet,asmen'sheartsknow,Ihavedonenowrong,IhavenotsinnedbeforeGod.OrifIhave,I
shallknowthetruthindeath.ButiftheguiltliesuponCreonwhojudgedme,then,Ipray,mayhis
punishmentequalmyown.
380... CHORAGOS

Opassionateheart,unyielding,tormentedstillbythesamewinds!

381... CREON Herguardsshallhavegoodcausetoregrettheirdelaying.

382... ANTIGONE

Ah!Thatvoiceislikethevoiceofdeath!

383... CREON Icangiveyounoreasontothinkyouaremistaken.

384... ANTIGONE

Thebes,andyoumyfather'sgods,AndrulersofThebes,youseemenow,thelast
unhappydaughterofalineofkings,yourkings,ledawaytodeath.YouwillrememberwhatthingsIsuffer,
andatwhatmen'shands,becauseIwouldnottransgressthelawsofheaven.
(TotheGuards,simply.)
385... Come,letuswaitnolonger.
(ExitAntigone,left,guarded.)

Ode4
Strophe1
386...
387...
388...
389...
390...

CHORUSAllDana'sbeautywaslockedaway
Inabrazencellwherethesunlightcouldnotcome:
Asmallroomstillasanygrave,enclosedher.
Yetshewasaprincess,too,
AndZeusinarainofgoldpouredloveuponher.
17

391...
392...
393...
394...

child,child,
Nopowerinwealthorwar
Ortoughseablackenedships
CanprevailagainstuntiringDestiny!

Antistrophe1
395... AndDryas'ssonalso,thatfuriousking,
396... Borethegod'sprisoningangerforhispride:
397... SealedupbyDionysosindeafstone,
398... Hismadnessdiedamongechoes.
399... Soatthelasthelearnedwhatdreadfulpower
400... Histonguehadmocked:
401... Forhehadprofanedtherevels,
402... Andfiredthewrathofthenine
403... ImplacableSistersthatlovethesoundoftheflute.
Strophe2
404...
405...
406...
407...
408...
409...
410...
411...

Andoldmentellahalfrememberedtale
Ofhorrorwhereadarkledgesplitsthesea
Andadoublesurfbeatsonthegrayshores:
Howaking'snewwoman,sick
Withhatredforthequeenhehadimprisoned,
Rippedouthistwosons'eyeswithherbloodyhands
WhilegrinningAreswatchedtheshuttleplunge
Fourtimes:fourblindwoundscryingforrevenge,

Antistrophe2
412... Crying,tearsandbloodmingled.Piteouslyborn,
413... Thosesonswhosemotherwasofheavenlybirth!
414... HerfatherwasthegodoftheNorthWind
415... Andshewascradledbygales,
416... Sheracedwithyoungcoltsontheglitteringhills
417... Andwalkeduntrammeledintheopenlight:
418... ButinhermarriagedeathlessFatefoundmeans
419... Tobuildatomblikeyoursforallherjoy.

~~~Scene5~~~
(EnterblindTeiresias,ledbyaboy.TheopeningspeechesofTeiresiasmightbeinsingsongcontrasttothe
realisticlinesofCreon,orperhapsthereisanotherwaytoestablishthatTeiresiasis'weird.')
420... TEIRESIAS

Thisisthewaytheblindmancomes,Princes,Princes,Lockstep,twoheadslitby

theeyesofone.
421... CREON Whatnewthinghaveyoutotellus,oldTeiresias?

18

422... TEIRESIAS

Ihavemuchtotellyou:listentotheprophet,Creon.

423... CREON IamnotawarethatIhaveeverfailedtolisten.

424... TEIRESIAS

Thenyouhavedonewisely,King,andruledwell.

425... CREON Iadmitmydebttoyou.Butwhathaveyoutosay?

426... TEIRESIAS

This,Creon:youstandoncemoreontheedgeoffate.

427... CREON Whatdoyoumean?Yourwordsareakindofdread.

428... TEIRESIAS

Listen,Creon:Iwassittinginmychairofaugury,attheplacewherethebirdsgather
aboutme.Theywereallachatter,asistheirhabit,whensuddenlyIheardastrangenoteintheirjangling,a
screamawhirringfuryIknewthattheywerefighting,tearingeachother,dyingInawhirlwindofwings
clashing.AndIwasafraid.IbegantheritesofburntofferingatthealtarbutHephaistosfailedme:insteadof
brightflame,therewasonlythesputteringslimeofthefatthighfleshmelting:theentrailsdissolvedingray
smoke,thebareboneburstfromthewelter.Andnoblaze!
429... Thiswasasignfromheaven.Myboydescribedit,seeingformeasIseeforothers.Itellyou,Creon,
youyourselfhavebroughtthisnewcalamityuponus.Ourhearthsandaltarsarestainedwiththecorruption
ofdogsandcarrionbirdsthatglutthemselvesonthecorpseofOedipus'sson.Thegodsaredeafwhenwe
praytothem,theirfirerecoilsfromouroffering,theirbirdsofomenhavenocryofcomfort,fortheyare
gorgedwiththethickbloodofthedead.Omyson,thesearenotrifles!Think:allmenmakemistakes,buta
goodmanyieldswhenheknowshiscourseiswrongandrepairstheevil.Theonlycrimeispride.
430... Giveintothedeadman,then:donotfightwithacorpseWhatgloryisittokillamanwhoisdead?
Think,Ibegyou:itisforourowngoodthatIspeakasIdo.Youshouldbeabletoyieldforyourown
good.
431... CREON Itseemsthatprophetshavemademetheirespecialprovince.AllmylifelongIhavebeena

kindofbuttforthedullarrowsofdodderingfortunetellers.No,Teiresias,ifyourbirdsifthegreateagles
ofGodhimselfshouldcarryhimstinkingbitbybittoheaven,Iwouldnotyield.Iamnotafraidofpollution:
nomancandefilethegods.Dowhatyouwill,gointobusiness,makemoney,speculateinIndiagoldorthat
syntheticgoldfromSardis,getrichotherwisethanbymyconsenttoburyhim.Teiresias,itisasorrything
whenawisemansellshiswisdom,letsouthiswordsforhire!
432... TEIRESIAS

AhCreon!Istherenomanleftintheworld

433... CREON Todowhat?Come,let'shavetheaphorism!

434... TEIRESIAS

Nomanwhoknowsthatwisdomoutweighsanywealth?

435... CREON Assurelyasbribesarebaserthananybaseness.

436... TEIRESIAS

Youaresick,Creon!Youaredeathlysick!

437... CREON Asyousay:itisnotmyplacetochallengeaprophet.

438... TEIRESIAS

Yetyouhavesaidmyprophecyisforsale.

19

439... CREON Thegenerationofprophetshasalwayslovedgold.

440... TEIRESIAS

Thegenerationofkingshasalwayslovedbrass.

441... CREON Youforgetyourself!YouarespeakingtoyourKing.

442... TEIRESIAS

Iknowit.Youareakingbecauseofme.

443... CREON Youhaveacertainskillbutyouhavesoldout.

444... TEIRESIAS

King,youwilldrivemetowordsthat

445... CREON Saythem,saythem!Onlyremember:Iwillnotpayyouforthem.

446... TEIRESIAS

No,youwillfindthemtoocostly.

447... CREON Nodoubt.Speak:Whateveryousay,youwillnotchangemywill.

448... TEIRESIAS

Thentakethis,andtakeittoheart!Thetimeisnotfaroffwhenyoushallpayback
corpseforcorpse,fleshofyourownflesh.Youhavethrustthechildofthisworldintolivingnight,youhave
keptfromthegodsthechildthatistheirstheoneinagravebeforeherdeath,theother,dead,deniedthe
grave.Thisisyourcrime:andtheFuriesandthedarkgodsofHellareswiftwithterriblepunishmentforyou.
449... Doyouwanttobuymenow,Creon?
450... Notmanydays,Andyourhousewillbefullofmenandwomenweeping,andcurseswillbehurledat
youfromfarcitiesgrievingforsonsunburied,lefttorotbeforethewallsofThebes.
451... Thesearemyarrows,Creon:theyareallforyou.
452... (toBoy.)Butcome,child:leadmehome.Lethimwastehisfineangeruponyoungermen.Maybehe
willlearnatlasttocontrolawisertongueinabetterhead.
(ExitTeiresias.)
453... CHORAGOS

Theoldmanhasgone,King,buthiswordsremaintoplagueus.Iamold,too,butI
cannotrememberthathewaseverfalse.

454... CREON Thatistrue.Ittroublesme.Oh,itishardtogivein!Butitisworsetoriskeverythingfor

stubbornpride.
455... CHORAGOS

Creon,takemyadvice.

456... CREON WhatshallIdo?

457... CHORAGOS

Goquickly:freeAntigonefromhervaultandbuildatombforthebodyof

Polyneices.
458... CREON Youwouldhavemedothis!
459... CHORAGOS

Creon,yes!Anditmustbedoneatonce:Godmovesswiftlytocancelthefollyof

stubbornmen.
460... CREON Itishardtodenytheheart!ButIwilldoit:Iwillnotfightwithdestiny.

20

461... CHORAGOS

Youmustgoyourself,youcannotleaveittoothers.

462... CREON Iwillgo.Bringaxes,servants:comewithmetothetomb.Iburiedher,Iwillsetherfree.

Ohquickly!Mymindmisgivesthelawsofthegodsaremighty,andamanmustservethemtothelastday
ofhislife!
(ExitCreon.)

~~~Paean~~~
Strophe1
463... CHORAGOS
464...
465...
466...
467...
468...
469...
470...
471...
472...

CHORUSOIacchos
son
ofKadmeianSemele
bornoftheThunder!
GuardianoftheWest
Regent
ofEleusis'splain
PrinceofmaenadThebes
andtheDragonFieldbyripplingIsmenos.

Antistrophe1
473... CHORAGOS
474...
475...
476...
477...
478...
479...
480...

Godofmanynames

Godofmanynames

CHORUS
theflameoftorches
flaresonourhills
thenymphsofIacchos
danceatthespringofCastalia:
fromthevineclosemountain
comeahcomeinivy:
Evoheevohe!singsthroughthestreetsofThebes

Strophe2
481... CHORAGOS
482...
483...
484...
485...
486...
487...
488...
489...
490...

Godofmanynames

CHORUS
IacchosofThebes
heavenlyChild
ofSemelebrideoftheThunderer!
Theshadowofplagueisuponus:
come
withclementfeet
ohcomefromParnasos
downthelongslopes
acrossthelamentingwater

21

Antistrophe2
491... CHORAGOS
IoFire!Choristerofthethrobbingstars!
492... purestamongthevoicesofthenight!
493... ThousonofGod,blazeforus!
494... CHORUSComewithchoricraptureofcirclingMaenads
495... WhocryIoIacche!
496... Godofmanynames!

~~~Exodos~~~
(EnterMessengerfromleft)
497... MESSENGER MenofthelineofCadmus,youwholiveNearAmphion'scitadel,Icannotsayof
anyconditionofhumanlife"Thisisfixed,thisisclearlygood,orbad."Fateraisesup,andFatecastsdown
thehappyandunhappyalike:nomancanforetellhisFate.TakethecaseofCreon:Creonwashappyonce,
asIcounthappinessVictoriousinbattle,solegovernoroftheland,fortunatefatherofchildrennoblyborn,
andnowithasallgonefromhim!Whocansaythatamanisstillalivewhenhislife'sjoyfails?Heisa
walkingdeadman.Granthimrich,lethimlivelikeakinginhisgreathouse:ifhispleasureisgone,Iwould
notgivesomuchastheshadowofsmokeforallheowns.
498... CHORAGOS

Yourwordshintatsorrowwhatisyournewsforus?

499... MESSENGER

Theyaredead.Thelivingareguiltyoftheirdeath.

500... CHORAGOS

Whoisguilty?Whoisdead?Speak!

501... MESSENGER

Haimon.Haimonisdeadandhisownhandhasshedhisblood.

502... CHORAGOS

Hisfather's?Orhisown?

503... MESSENGER

Hisown,drivenmadbythemurderhisfatherhaddone.

504... CHORAGOS

Teiresias,Teiresias,howclearlyyousawitall!

505... MESSENGER

Thisismynews:youmustdrawwhatconclusionsyoucanfromit.

506... CHORAGOS

Butlook:Eurydice,ourQueen:Hassheoverheadus?

(EnterEurydicefromthepalace,center.)
507... EURYDICE
Ihaveheardsomething,friends:AsIwasunlockingthegateofPallas's
shrine,ForIneededherhelptoday,Iheardavoicetellingofsomenewsorrow.AndIfaintedthereatthe
templewithallmymaidensaboutme.Butspeakagain:whateveritis,Icanbearit:griefandIareno
strangers.
508... MESSENGER

DearestLady,IwilltellyouplainlyallthatIhaveseen.Ishallnottrytocomfort
you:whatistheuse,sincecomfortcouldlieonlyinwhatisnottrue.Thetruthisalwaysbest.Iwentwith
CreontotheouterplainwherePolyneiceswaslying,Nofriendtopityhim,hisbodyshreddedbydogs.We
madeourprayersinthatplacetoHecateandPluto,thattheywouldbemerciful,Andwebathedthecorpse
withholywater,andwebroughtfreshbrokenbranchestoburnwhatwasleftofit,andupontheurnwe
22

heapedupatoweringbarrowoftheearthofhisownland.Whenweweredone,werantothevaultwhere
Antigonelayonhercouchofstone.Oneoftheservantshadgoneahead,andwhilehewasyetfaroffhe
heardavoicegrievingwithinthechamber,andhecamebackandtoldCreon.Andasthekingwentcloser,
Theairwasfullyofwailing,thewordslost,andhebeggedustomakeallhaste."AmIamprophet?"He
said,weeping,"AndmustIwalkthisroad,thesaddestof!allthatIhavegonebefore?Myson'svoicecalls
meon.Ohquickly,quickly!Lookthroughthecrevicethere,andtellmeifitisHaimon,orsomedeception
ofthegods!"
509... Weobeyedandinthecavern'sfarthestcornerwesawherlying:Shehadmadeanooseofherfinelinen
veilandhangedherself.Haimonlaybesideher,hisarmsaboutherwaist,lamentingher,hislovelost
underground,cryingoutthathisfatherhadstolenherawayfromhim.
510... WhenCreonsawhimthetearsrushedtohiseyesandhecalledtohim:"Whathaveyoudone,child?
speaktome.Whatareyouthinkingthatmakesyoureyessostrange?Omyson,myson,Icometoyouon
myknees!"ButHaimonspatinhisface.Hesaidnotaword,staringandsuddenlydrewhisswordand
lunged.Creonshrankback,theblademissedandtheboy,desperateagainsthimself,droveithalfitslength
intohisownside,andfell.AndashediedhegatheredAntigonecloseinhisarmsagain,choking,hisblood
brightredonherwhitecheek.Andnowheliesdeadwiththedead,andsheishisatlast,hisbrideinthe
houseofthedead.
(ExitEurydiceintothepalace.)
511... CHORAGOS

Shehasleftuswithoutaword.Whatcanthismean?

512... MESSENGER

Ittroublesme,tooyetsheknowswhatisbest,hergriefistoogreatforpublic
lamentation,anddoubtlessshehasgonetoherchambertoweepforherdeadson,leadinghermaidensin
hisdirge.

(Pause.)
513... CHORAGOS

Itmaybeso:butIfearthisdeepsilence.

514... MESSENGER

Iwillseewhatsheisdoing.Iwillgoin.
(ExitMessengerintothepalace.)
(EnterCreonwithattendants,bearingHaimon'sbody.)
515... CHORAGOS
Buthereisthekinghimselfohlookathim,bearinghisowndamnationinhisarms.
516... CREON Nothingyousaycantouchmeanymore.Myownblindhearthasbroughtmefromdarkness

tofinaldarkness.Hereyouseethefathermurdering,themurderedsonAndallmycivicwisdom!
517... Haimonmyson,soyoung,soyoungtodie,Iwasthefool,notyouandyoudiedforme.
518... CHORAGOS

Thatisthetruthbutyouwerelateinlearningit.

519... CREON Thistruthishardtobeat.Surelyagodhascrushedmebeneaththehugestweightofheaven,

anddrivenmeheadlongabarbaricwaytotrampleoutthethingIheldmostdear.
520... Thepainsthatmenwilltaketocometopain!
(EnterMessengerfromthepalace.)
521... MESSENGER Theburdenyoucarryinyourhandsisheavy,butitisnotallyouwillfindmorein

23

yourhouse.
522... CREON WhatburdenworsethanthisshallIfindthere?
523... MESSENGER

TheQueenisdead.

524... CREON Oportofdeath,deafworld,Istherenopityforme?Andyou,Angelofevil,Iwasdead,

andyourwordsaredeathagain.Isittrue,boy?Canitbetrue?Ismywifedead?Hasdeathbreddeath?
525... MESSENGERYoucanseeforyourself.

(ThedoorsareopenedandthebodyofEurydiceisdisclosedwithin.)
526... CREON Ohpity!Alltrue,alltrue,andmorethanIcanbear!Ohmywife,myson!
527... MESSENGER

Shestoodbeforethealtar,andherheartwelcomedtheknifeherownhandguided,
andagreatcryburstfromherlipsforMegareusdead,andforHaimondead,hersons,andherlastbreath
wasacursefortheirfather,themurdererofhersons.Andshefell,andthedarkflowedinthroughher
closingeyes.

528... CREON OGod,Iamsickwithfear.Aretherenoswordshere?Hasnooneablowforme?

529... MESSENGER

Hercurseisuponyouforthedeathsofboth.

530... CREON Itisrightthatitshouldbe.Ialoneamguilty.Iknowit,andIsayit.Leadmein,quickly,

friends.Ihaveneitherlifenorsubstance.Leadmein.
531... CHORAGOS

Youareright,iftherecanberightinsomuchwrong.Thebriefestwayisbestina

worldofsorrow.
532... CREON Letitcome.Letdeathcomequickly,andbekindtome.Iwouldnoteverseethesun

again.
533... CHORAGOS

Allthatwillcomewhenitwillbutwe,meanwhile,havemuchtodo.Leavethe

futuretoitself.
534... CREON Allmyheartwasinthatprayer!
535... CHORAGOS

Thendonotprayanymoretheskyisdeaf.

536... CREON Leadmeaway.Ihavebeenrashandfoolish.Ihavekilledmysonandmywife.Ilookfor

comfortmycomfortliesheredead.Whatevermyhandshavetouchedhascometonothing.Fatehas
broughtallmypridetoathoughtofdust.
(AsCreonisbeingledintothehouse,theCHORAGOSadvancesandspeaksdirectlytotheaudience.)
537... CHORAGOS
Thereisnohappinesswherethereisnowisdomnowisdombutinsubmissionto
thegods.Bigwordsarealwayspunished,andproudmeninoldagelearntobewise.
~~~~~CURTAIN~~~~~

24