Your cart is empty now.
Drama, Intrigue, and Ancient Greece: Step into Sophocles' World!
Imagine the drama and allure of a modern-day soap opera, but set in ancient Greece. Sophocles was the mastermind behind such enticing tales, often hailed as the 'Aaron Spelling' of his era. Yet, the age-old translations often shroud the intriguing, soap-opera-like essence of his plays.
Struggling to discern the plotlines that rival today's TV dramas? Let BookCaps illuminate the narrative for you with a refreshed, modern retelling.
Delve into "Antigone," a captivating tragedy penned by Sophocles. Though third in the Theban series, its creation predates the others. Following the narrative trail left by Aeschylus' "Seven Against Thebes," this play dives deeper into the legendary tales of Thebes.
To enhance understanding, this edition includes both the original text and its modern counterpart, side by side. Reconnect with ancient drama, now made accessible for the contemporary reader.
Buy Antigone In Plain and Simple English Now!
Do you need to understand Antigone and want something more interactive? Try our free app, SwipeSpeare!
Excerpt From Antigone In Plain and Simple English
Argument
Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, the late king of Thebes, in defiance of Creon who rules in his stead, resolves to bury her brother Polyneices, slain in his attack on Thebes. She is caught in the act by Creon's watchmen and brought before the king. She justifies her action, asserting that she was bound to obey the eternal laws of right and wrong in spite of any human ordinance. Creon, unrelenting, condemns her to be immured in a rock-hewn chamber. His son Haemon, to whom Antigone is betrothed, pleads in vain for her life and threatens to die with her. Warned by the seer Teiresias Creon repents him and hurries to release Antigone from her rocky prison. But he is too late: he finds lying side by side Antigone who had hanged herself and Haemon who also has perished by his own hand. Returning to the palace he sees within the dead body of his queen who on learning of her son's death has stabbed herself to the heart.
Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, the dead King of Thebes, resolves to bury her brother Polyneices, killed in his attack on Thebes. This defies the order of Creon, who now rules Thebes. She is caught in the act and brought before the king. She justifies her action by saying that she must follow the laws of Heaven despite what any man might say. Creon, unmoved, orders that she should be walled up in a cave. His son Haemon, Antigone’s fiancé, pleads in vain for her life and threatens to die with her. Warned by the prophet Teiresias Creon repents and rushes to release Antigone. But he is too late: he finds Antigone dead from suicide and Haemon kills himself in front of Creon. Returning to the palace he sees within the dead body of his queen, who stabbed herself through the heart when she heard of her son’s death.
ANTIGONE
Ismene, sister of my blood and heart,
See'st thou how Zeus would in our lives fulfill
The weird of Oedipus, a world of woes!
For what of pain, affliction, outrage, shame,
Is lacking in our fortunes, thine and mine?
And now this proclamation of today
Made by our Captain-General to the State,
What can its purport be? Didst hear and heed,
Or art thou deaf when friends are banned as foes?
Ismene, sister of my blood and heart,
Do you see how Zeus wants to make us suffer
The curse of Oedipus, a world of sorrow!
For what pain, affliction, outrage, shame,
Is missing from our fortunes, yours and mine?
And now today’s proclamation,
Made by our leader to the State,
What is its purpose? Did you hear and note it,
Or are you deaf when friends are exiled as enemies?
ISMENE
To me, Antigone, no word of friends
Has come, or glad or grievous, since we twain
Were reft of our two brethren in one day
By double fratricide; and since i' the night
Our Argive leaguers fled, no later news
Has reached me, to inspirit or deject.
To me, Antigone, I haven’t had any word of friends,
Good or bad, since we two
Were stripped of our two brothers in one day
When they killed each other; and since the night
The besiegers from Argos fled, I have had
No further news, saddening or cheering.
ANTIGONE
I know 'twas so, and therefore summoned thee
Beyond the gates to breathe it in thine ear.
I knew this was the case, and so I called you
Outside the gates to whisper it to you.
ISMENE
What is it? Some dark secret stirs thy breast.
What is it? You have some dark secret.
ANTIGONE
What but the thought of our two brothers dead,
The one by Creon graced with funeral rites,
The other disappointed? Eteocles
He hath consigned to earth (as fame reports)
With obsequies that use and wont ordain,
So gracing him among the dead below.
But Polyneices, a dishonored corse,
(So by report the royal edict runs)
No man may bury him or make lament--
Must leave him tombless and unwept, a feast
For kites to scent afar and swoop upon.
Such is the edict (if report speak true)
Of Creon, our most noble Creon, aimed
At thee and me, aye me too; and anon
He will be here to promulgate, for such
As have not heard, his mandate; 'tis in sooth
No passing humor, for the edict says
Whoe'er transgresses shall be stoned to death.
So stands it with us; now 'tis thine to show
If thou art worthy of thy blood or base.
What could it be but the thought of our two dead brothers,
One given a proper funeral by Creon,
The other denied one? Eteocles
Was put in the ground (so it’s said)
With all the customary fitting ceremonies,
So that he would go properly to the underworld.
But Polynieces, a dishonored corpse
Cannot be buried, no-one can grieve for him
(This is what I hear the royal order is);
He must be left without a tomb, without mourners,
A feast for the kites to smell from far off and swoop upon.
This is the ruling (if the reports are true)
Of Creon, our most noble Creon, aimed
At you and me, yes, me as well; and shortly
He’ll be here to spread, for those
Who haven’t heard it, his orders;
It’s obviously not something
He’s taking lightly, as the order says
That anyone who disobeys will be stoned to death.
That’s the situation; now it’s up to you to show
If you live up to your heritage or not.
ISMENE
But how, my rash, fond sister, in such case
Can I do anything to make or mar?
But how, my hasty, dear sister, in this case,
Can I do anything, good or bad?
ANTIGONE
Say, wilt thou aid me and abet? Decide.
Tell me if you’ll help and support me. Decide.
ISMENE
In what bold venture? What is in thy thought?
In what daring venture? What are you thinking of?
ANTIGONE
Lend me a hand to bear the corpse away.
Help me carry off the corpse.
ISMENE
What, bury him despite the interdict?
What, bury him in spite of the order?
ANTIGONE
My brother, and, though thou deny him, thine
No man shall say that I betrayed a brother.
My brother, and though you won’t recognize him yours too.
No man shall say that I betrayed a brother.
ISMENE
Wilt thou persist, though Creon has forbid?
Will you go through with this, though Creon forbids it?
ANTIGONE
What right has he to keep me from my own?
What right has he to keep me from my own family?
ISMENE
Bethink thee, sister, of our father's fate,
Abhorred, dishonored, self-convicted of sin,
Blinded, himself his executioner.
Think of his mother-wife (ill sorted names)
Done by a noose herself had twined to death
And last, our hapless brethren in one day,
Both in a mutual destiny involved,
Self-slaughtered, both the slayer and the slain.
Bethink thee, sister, we are left alone;
Shall we not perish wretchedest of all,
If in defiance of the law we cross
A monarch's will?--weak women, think of that,
Not framed by nature to contend with men.
Remember this too that the stronger rules;
We must obey his orders, these or worse.
Therefore I plead compulsion and entreat
The dead to pardon. I perforce obey
The powers that be. 'Tis foolishness, I ween,
To overstep in aught the golden mean.
Think, sister, what happened to our father,
Hated, dishonored, convicted of sin by himself,
Blinded , his own executioner.
Think of his mother-wife (names which should not go together),
Killed with a noose she knotted herself,
And lastly, our unlucky brothers, who on the same day,
Caught up in a shared fate,
Killed themselves, each one killer and victim.
Think, sister, we are left alone;
Will we not die the most wretched death of all,
If against the law we ignore
A monarch’s orders? – we are weak women, remember,
Not built by nature to fight with men.
Remember this too, that the stonger one rules;
We must obey his orders, these or even worse ones.
So I say that I am forced not to do this and ask
The dead to forgive me. I have to obey
The ruling powers. It’s stupidity, I think,
To try and rebel against the king in anything.
ANTIGONE
I urge no more; nay, wert thou willing still,
I would not welcome such a fellowship.
Go thine own way; myself will bury him.
How sweet to die in such employ, to rest,--
Sister and brother linked in love's embrace--
A sinless sinner, banned awhile on earth,
But by the dead commended; and with them
I shall abide for ever. As for thee,
Scorn, if thou wilt, the eternal laws of Heaven.
I won’t try to persuade you; in fact, if you now said you would,
I wouldn’t want you with me.
Go your own way, I shall bury him alone.
How sweet to die doing such a task, to rest –
A brother and sister linked in a loving hug –
A sinless sinner, condemned a while on earth
But applauded by the dead; and I shall live
With them forever. As for you,
Reject the eternal laws of Heaven if you want.
ISMENE
I scorn them not, but to defy the State
Or break her ordinance I have no skill.
I do not reject them, but I haven’t the skill
To stand up to the State or break her laws.
ANTIGONE
A specious pretext. I will go alone
To lay my dearest brother in the grave.
A poor excuse. I will go alone
To place my dearest brother in his grave.
ISMENE
My poor, fond sister, how I fear for thee!
My poor, dear sister, how I fear for you!
ANTIGONE
O waste no fears on me; look to thyself.
Don’t be frightened for me; have a look at yourself.
ISMENE
At least let no man know of thine intent,
But keep it close and secret, as will I.
At least don’t tell anyone what you’re up to,
Keep it secret and hidden, as I will.
ANTIGONE
O tell it, sister; I shall hate thee more
If thou proclaim it not to all the town.
Oh, tell everyone, sister; I’ll hate you more
If you don’t tell the whole town.
ISMENE
Thou hast a fiery soul for numbing work.
You have a brave soul for such dangerous work.
ANTIGONE
I pleasure those whom I would liefest please.
I give pleasure to those I would most like to please.
ISMENE
If thou succeed; but thou art doomed to fail.
If you succeed; but you’re doomed to fail.
ANTIGONE
When strength shall fail me, yes, but not before.
If my strength fails then so will I, but not before that.
ISMENE
But, if the venture's hopeless, why essay?
But why try it, when the thing’s impossible?
ANTIGONE
Sister, forbear, or I shall hate thee soon,
And the dead man will hate thee too, with cause.
Say I am mad and give my madness rein
To wreck itself; the worst that can befall
Is but to die an honorable death.
Sister, give up, or I shall soon hate you,
And the dead man shall hate you too, justifiably.
Call me mad and leave my madness free
To destroy itself; the worst that can happen
Is that I’ll die an honorable death.
ISMENE
Have thine own way then; 'tis a mad endeavor,
Yet to thy lovers thou art dear as ever.
[Exeunt]
Have it your own way; it’s a mad plan,
But those who love you love you just as much.
CHORUS
(Str. 1)
Sunbeam, of all that ever dawn upon
Our seven-gated Thebes the brightest ray,
O eye of golden day,
How fair thy light o'er Dirce's fountain shone,
Speeding upon their headlong homeward course,
Far quicker than they came, the Argive force;
Putting to flight the argent shields,
The host with scutcheons white.
Against our land the proud invader came
To vindicate fell Polyneices' claim.
Like to an eagle swooping low,
On pinions white as new fall'n snow.
With clanging scream, a horsetail plume his crest,
The aspiring lord of Argos onward pressed.
Sunbeam, you are the brightest that ever
Dawned on our seven gated Thebes,
Oh golden eye of day,
How lovely your light shone over Dirce’s fountain,
Sending on their hurtling homeward way,
Far quicker than they came, the army of Argos;
Putting to flight the silver shields,
The army with their white decorations.
Against our land the proud invader came
To pursue evil Polyneice’s claim,
Like an eagle swooping down
With his snow-white claws.
With a clanging din and a horsetail plume in his helmet,
The hopeful lord of Argos pressed onwards.
(Ant.1)
Hovering around our city walls he waits,
His spearmen raven at our seven gates.
But ere a torch our crown of towers could burn,
Ere they had tasted of our blood, they turn
Forced by the Dragon; in their rear
The din of Ares panic-struck they hear.
For Zeus who hates the braggart's boast
Beheld that gold-bespangled host;
As at the goal the paean they upraise,
He struck them with his forked lightning blaze.
He waited, besieging our city walls,
His hungry spearmen at our seven gates,
But before a torch could burn our towers,
Before they’d tasted our blood, they turned,
Forced by the Dragon; in their rear
They heard with panic the noise of war.
For Zeus, who hates arrogance,
Saw that gold covered army;
And as they raised a shout of triumph at reaching their goal
He struck them with his forked lightning.
(Str. 2)
To earthy from earth rebounding, down he crashed;
The fire-brand from his impious hand was dashed,
As like a Bacchic reveler on he came,
Outbreathing hate and flame,
And tottered. Elsewhere in the field,
Here, there, great Area like a war-horse wheeled;
Beneath his car down thrust
Our foemen bit the dust.
Seven captains at our seven gates
Thundered; for each a champion waits,
Each left behind his armor bright,
Trophy for Zeus who turns the fight;
Save two alone, that ill-starred pair
One mother to one father bare,
Who lance in rest, one 'gainst the other
Drave, and both perished, brother slain by brother.
He smashed down upon the earth,
The firebrand was snatched from the blasphemous hand,
As he staggered on like a drunk at an orgy,
Breathing hate and flame,
And fell. Elsewhere in the battle
Here, there, great Mars wheeled like a war horse,
Spearing out from his chariot,
And our enemies bit the dust.
Seven captains hammered on
Our seven gates; there was an opponent for each,
And each left behind his bright armor,
A trophy for Zeus who turned the tide;
There were just two who remain, that unfortunate pair,
Born of the same parents,
Who charged with their lances, one against the other,
Drove them home and both died, brother killed by brother.
(Ant. 2)
Now Victory to Thebes returns again
And smiles upon her chariot-circled plain.
Now let feast and festal should
Memories of war blot out.
Let us to the temples throng,
Dance and sing the live night long.
god of Thebes, lead thou the round.
Bacchus, shaker of the ground!
Let us end our revels here;
Lo! Creon our new lord draws near,
Crowned by this strange chance, our king.
What, I marvel, pondering?
Why this summons? Wherefore call
Us, his elders, one and all,
Bidding us with him debate,
On some grave concern of State?
[Enter CREON]
Now Victory comes back to Thebes,
And smiles on her plain, circled with chariots.
Now let feast and festival
Blot out the memories of war.
Let us all go to the temples
And dance and sing the whole night through.
god of Thebes, lead the song,
Bacchus, the ground shaker!
Now let’s stop our celebrations;
Look! Creon, our new lord, is coming,
Crowned, by the twists of fate, our king.
What, I wonder, is he thinking of?
Why has he summoned us? Why has he called
All of the elders,
Calling us to debate with him
Some important affairs of State?
CREON
Elders, the gods have righted once again
Our storm-tossed ship of state, now safe in port.
But you by special summons I convened
As my most trusted councilors; first, because
I knew you loyal to Laius of old;
Again, when Oedipus restored our State,
Both while he ruled and when his rule was o'er,
Ye still were constant to the royal line.
Now that his two sons perished in one day,
Brother by brother murderously slain,
By right of kinship to the Princes dead,
I claim and hold the throne and sovereignty.
Yet 'tis no easy matter to discern
The temper of a man, his mind and will,
Till he be proved by exercise of power;
And in my case, if one who reigns supreme
Swerve from the highest policy, tongue-tied
By fear of consequence, that man I hold,
And ever held, the basest of the base.
And I contemn the man who sets his friend
Before his country. For myself, I call
To witness Zeus, whose eyes are everywhere,
If I perceive some mischievous design
To sap the State, I will not hold my tongue;
Nor would I reckon as my private friend
A public foe, well knowing that the State
Is the good ship that holds our fortunes all:
Farewell to friendship, if she suffers wreck.
Such is the policy by which I seek
To serve the Commons and conformably
I have proclaimed an edict as concerns
The sons of Oedipus; Eteocles
Who in his country's battle fought and fell,
The foremost champion--duly bury him
With all observances and ceremonies
That are the guerdon of the heroic dead.
But for the miscreant exile who returned
Minded in flames and ashes to blot out
His father's city and his father's gods,
And glut his vengeance with his kinsmen's blood,
Or drag them captive at his chariot wheels--
For Polyneices 'tis ordained that none
Shall give him burial or make mourn for him,
But leave his corpse unburied, to be meat
For dogs and carrion crows, a ghastly sight.
So am I purposed; never by my will
Shall miscreants take precedence of true men,
But all good patriots, alive or dead,
Shall be by me preferred and honored.
Elders, the gods have steadied
Our storm-tossed ship of state, now safely in port.
But I have gathered you by special summons
As my most trusted advisers; firstly, because
I know that you were loyal to Laius in the old days,
And then as you were also loyal to Oedipus when he saved our state,
Both when he ruled and when his rule was finished,
You stayed loyal to the royal family.
Now that his two sons have died in one day,
Brother murdered by brother,
I claim and hold the throne and kingship,
By right of my relation to the dead princes.
But it isn’t easy to tell
The strength of a man, of his mind and willpower,
Until it is tested once he’s in power;
And for me, if anyone who has the highest power
Dodges following the best policy, not speaking
For fear of the consequences, I have always
Thought that man the lowest of the low.
And I despise the man who puts his friend
Before his country. For myself,
I swear by Zeus, who sees all,
That if I uncover some cunning plan
To damage the State, I will not be silent;
Nor would I have a public enemy
As a private friend, knowing that the State
Is the good ship that carries all our futures:
Friendship will be ended if she is wrecked.
This is my policy as I try
To serve the people, and so
I have issued an order in relation
To the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles,
Who fought and died for his country
As a hero – he should be buried
With all the respect and ceremony
That are the right of the honored dead.
But for that wretched exile who returned,
Meaning with flames to destroy
His father’s city and his father’s gods,
And satisfy his thirst for revenge with the blood of his kinsmen,
Or to drag them as prisoners behind his chariot –
For Polynieces I rule that nobody
Shall give him a burial or mourn for him,
But that his corpse should be left unburied as meat
For the dogs and carrion crows, a horrid sight.
This is my decision; never will I let
Scoundrels be honored over true men,
But all good patriots, alive or dead,
Shall be promoted and honored by me.
Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, the late king of Thebes, in defiance of Creon who rules in his stead, resolves to bury her brother Polyneices, slain in his attack on Thebes. She is caught in the act by Creon's watchmen and brought before the king. She justifies her action, asserting that she was bound to obey the eternal laws of right and wrong in spite of any human ordinance. Creon, unrelenting, condemns her to be immured in a rock-hewn chamber. His son Haemon, to whom Antigone is betrothed, pleads in vain for her life and threatens to die with her. Warned by the seer Teiresias Creon repents him and hurries to release Antigone from her rocky prison. But he is too late: he finds lying side by side Antigone who had hanged herself and Haemon who also has perished by his own hand. Returning to the palace he sees within the dead body of his queen who on learning of her son's death has stabbed herself to the heart.
Antigone, daughter of Oedipus, the dead King of Thebes, resolves to bury her brother Polyneices, killed in his attack on Thebes. This defies the order of Creon, who now rules Thebes. She is caught in the act and brought before the king. She justifies her action by saying that she must follow the laws of Heaven despite what any man might say. Creon, unmoved, orders that she should be walled up in a cave. His son Haemon, Antigone’s fiancé, pleads in vain for her life and threatens to die with her. Warned by the prophet Teiresias Creon repents and rushes to release Antigone. But he is too late: he finds Antigone dead from suicide and Haemon kills himself in front of Creon. Returning to the palace he sees within the dead body of his queen, who stabbed herself through the heart when she heard of her son’s death.
ANTIGONE
Ismene, sister of my blood and heart,
See'st thou how Zeus would in our lives fulfill
The weird of Oedipus, a world of woes!
For what of pain, affliction, outrage, shame,
Is lacking in our fortunes, thine and mine?
And now this proclamation of today
Made by our Captain-General to the State,
What can its purport be? Didst hear and heed,
Or art thou deaf when friends are banned as foes?
Ismene, sister of my blood and heart,
Do you see how Zeus wants to make us suffer
The curse of Oedipus, a world of sorrow!
For what pain, affliction, outrage, shame,
Is missing from our fortunes, yours and mine?
And now today’s proclamation,
Made by our leader to the State,
What is its purpose? Did you hear and note it,
Or are you deaf when friends are exiled as enemies?
ISMENE
To me, Antigone, no word of friends
Has come, or glad or grievous, since we twain
Were reft of our two brethren in one day
By double fratricide; and since i' the night
Our Argive leaguers fled, no later news
Has reached me, to inspirit or deject.
To me, Antigone, I haven’t had any word of friends,
Good or bad, since we two
Were stripped of our two brothers in one day
When they killed each other; and since the night
The besiegers from Argos fled, I have had
No further news, saddening or cheering.
ANTIGONE
I know 'twas so, and therefore summoned thee
Beyond the gates to breathe it in thine ear.
I knew this was the case, and so I called you
Outside the gates to whisper it to you.
ISMENE
What is it? Some dark secret stirs thy breast.
What is it? You have some dark secret.
ANTIGONE
What but the thought of our two brothers dead,
The one by Creon graced with funeral rites,
The other disappointed? Eteocles
He hath consigned to earth (as fame reports)
With obsequies that use and wont ordain,
So gracing him among the dead below.
But Polyneices, a dishonored corse,
(So by report the royal edict runs)
No man may bury him or make lament--
Must leave him tombless and unwept, a feast
For kites to scent afar and swoop upon.
Such is the edict (if report speak true)
Of Creon, our most noble Creon, aimed
At thee and me, aye me too; and anon
He will be here to promulgate, for such
As have not heard, his mandate; 'tis in sooth
No passing humor, for the edict says
Whoe'er transgresses shall be stoned to death.
So stands it with us; now 'tis thine to show
If thou art worthy of thy blood or base.
What could it be but the thought of our two dead brothers,
One given a proper funeral by Creon,
The other denied one? Eteocles
Was put in the ground (so it’s said)
With all the customary fitting ceremonies,
So that he would go properly to the underworld.
But Polynieces, a dishonored corpse
Cannot be buried, no-one can grieve for him
(This is what I hear the royal order is);
He must be left without a tomb, without mourners,
A feast for the kites to smell from far off and swoop upon.
This is the ruling (if the reports are true)
Of Creon, our most noble Creon, aimed
At you and me, yes, me as well; and shortly
He’ll be here to spread, for those
Who haven’t heard it, his orders;
It’s obviously not something
He’s taking lightly, as the order says
That anyone who disobeys will be stoned to death.
That’s the situation; now it’s up to you to show
If you live up to your heritage or not.
ISMENE
But how, my rash, fond sister, in such case
Can I do anything to make or mar?
But how, my hasty, dear sister, in this case,
Can I do anything, good or bad?
ANTIGONE
Say, wilt thou aid me and abet? Decide.
Tell me if you’ll help and support me. Decide.
ISMENE
In what bold venture? What is in thy thought?
In what daring venture? What are you thinking of?
ANTIGONE
Lend me a hand to bear the corpse away.
Help me carry off the corpse.
ISMENE
What, bury him despite the interdict?
What, bury him in spite of the order?
ANTIGONE
My brother, and, though thou deny him, thine
No man shall say that I betrayed a brother.
My brother, and though you won’t recognize him yours too.
No man shall say that I betrayed a brother.
ISMENE
Wilt thou persist, though Creon has forbid?
Will you go through with this, though Creon forbids it?
ANTIGONE
What right has he to keep me from my own?
What right has he to keep me from my own family?
ISMENE
Bethink thee, sister, of our father's fate,
Abhorred, dishonored, self-convicted of sin,
Blinded, himself his executioner.
Think of his mother-wife (ill sorted names)
Done by a noose herself had twined to death
And last, our hapless brethren in one day,
Both in a mutual destiny involved,
Self-slaughtered, both the slayer and the slain.
Bethink thee, sister, we are left alone;
Shall we not perish wretchedest of all,
If in defiance of the law we cross
A monarch's will?--weak women, think of that,
Not framed by nature to contend with men.
Remember this too that the stronger rules;
We must obey his orders, these or worse.
Therefore I plead compulsion and entreat
The dead to pardon. I perforce obey
The powers that be. 'Tis foolishness, I ween,
To overstep in aught the golden mean.
Think, sister, what happened to our father,
Hated, dishonored, convicted of sin by himself,
Blinded , his own executioner.
Think of his mother-wife (names which should not go together),
Killed with a noose she knotted herself,
And lastly, our unlucky brothers, who on the same day,
Caught up in a shared fate,
Killed themselves, each one killer and victim.
Think, sister, we are left alone;
Will we not die the most wretched death of all,
If against the law we ignore
A monarch’s orders? – we are weak women, remember,
Not built by nature to fight with men.
Remember this too, that the stonger one rules;
We must obey his orders, these or even worse ones.
So I say that I am forced not to do this and ask
The dead to forgive me. I have to obey
The ruling powers. It’s stupidity, I think,
To try and rebel against the king in anything.
ANTIGONE
I urge no more; nay, wert thou willing still,
I would not welcome such a fellowship.
Go thine own way; myself will bury him.
How sweet to die in such employ, to rest,--
Sister and brother linked in love's embrace--
A sinless sinner, banned awhile on earth,
But by the dead commended; and with them
I shall abide for ever. As for thee,
Scorn, if thou wilt, the eternal laws of Heaven.
I won’t try to persuade you; in fact, if you now said you would,
I wouldn’t want you with me.
Go your own way, I shall bury him alone.
How sweet to die doing such a task, to rest –
A brother and sister linked in a loving hug –
A sinless sinner, condemned a while on earth
But applauded by the dead; and I shall live
With them forever. As for you,
Reject the eternal laws of Heaven if you want.
ISMENE
I scorn them not, but to defy the State
Or break her ordinance I have no skill.
I do not reject them, but I haven’t the skill
To stand up to the State or break her laws.
ANTIGONE
A specious pretext. I will go alone
To lay my dearest brother in the grave.
A poor excuse. I will go alone
To place my dearest brother in his grave.
ISMENE
My poor, fond sister, how I fear for thee!
My poor, dear sister, how I fear for you!
ANTIGONE
O waste no fears on me; look to thyself.
Don’t be frightened for me; have a look at yourself.
ISMENE
At least let no man know of thine intent,
But keep it close and secret, as will I.
At least don’t tell anyone what you’re up to,
Keep it secret and hidden, as I will.
ANTIGONE
O tell it, sister; I shall hate thee more
If thou proclaim it not to all the town.
Oh, tell everyone, sister; I’ll hate you more
If you don’t tell the whole town.
ISMENE
Thou hast a fiery soul for numbing work.
You have a brave soul for such dangerous work.
ANTIGONE
I pleasure those whom I would liefest please.
I give pleasure to those I would most like to please.
ISMENE
If thou succeed; but thou art doomed to fail.
If you succeed; but you’re doomed to fail.
ANTIGONE
When strength shall fail me, yes, but not before.
If my strength fails then so will I, but not before that.
ISMENE
But, if the venture's hopeless, why essay?
But why try it, when the thing’s impossible?
ANTIGONE
Sister, forbear, or I shall hate thee soon,
And the dead man will hate thee too, with cause.
Say I am mad and give my madness rein
To wreck itself; the worst that can befall
Is but to die an honorable death.
Sister, give up, or I shall soon hate you,
And the dead man shall hate you too, justifiably.
Call me mad and leave my madness free
To destroy itself; the worst that can happen
Is that I’ll die an honorable death.
ISMENE
Have thine own way then; 'tis a mad endeavor,
Yet to thy lovers thou art dear as ever.
[Exeunt]
Have it your own way; it’s a mad plan,
But those who love you love you just as much.
CHORUS
(Str. 1)
Sunbeam, of all that ever dawn upon
Our seven-gated Thebes the brightest ray,
O eye of golden day,
How fair thy light o'er Dirce's fountain shone,
Speeding upon their headlong homeward course,
Far quicker than they came, the Argive force;
Putting to flight the argent shields,
The host with scutcheons white.
Against our land the proud invader came
To vindicate fell Polyneices' claim.
Like to an eagle swooping low,
On pinions white as new fall'n snow.
With clanging scream, a horsetail plume his crest,
The aspiring lord of Argos onward pressed.
Sunbeam, you are the brightest that ever
Dawned on our seven gated Thebes,
Oh golden eye of day,
How lovely your light shone over Dirce’s fountain,
Sending on their hurtling homeward way,
Far quicker than they came, the army of Argos;
Putting to flight the silver shields,
The army with their white decorations.
Against our land the proud invader came
To pursue evil Polyneice’s claim,
Like an eagle swooping down
With his snow-white claws.
With a clanging din and a horsetail plume in his helmet,
The hopeful lord of Argos pressed onwards.
(Ant.1)
Hovering around our city walls he waits,
His spearmen raven at our seven gates.
But ere a torch our crown of towers could burn,
Ere they had tasted of our blood, they turn
Forced by the Dragon; in their rear
The din of Ares panic-struck they hear.
For Zeus who hates the braggart's boast
Beheld that gold-bespangled host;
As at the goal the paean they upraise,
He struck them with his forked lightning blaze.
He waited, besieging our city walls,
His hungry spearmen at our seven gates,
But before a torch could burn our towers,
Before they’d tasted our blood, they turned,
Forced by the Dragon; in their rear
They heard with panic the noise of war.
For Zeus, who hates arrogance,
Saw that gold covered army;
And as they raised a shout of triumph at reaching their goal
He struck them with his forked lightning.
(Str. 2)
To earthy from earth rebounding, down he crashed;
The fire-brand from his impious hand was dashed,
As like a Bacchic reveler on he came,
Outbreathing hate and flame,
And tottered. Elsewhere in the field,
Here, there, great Area like a war-horse wheeled;
Beneath his car down thrust
Our foemen bit the dust.
Seven captains at our seven gates
Thundered; for each a champion waits,
Each left behind his armor bright,
Trophy for Zeus who turns the fight;
Save two alone, that ill-starred pair
One mother to one father bare,
Who lance in rest, one 'gainst the other
Drave, and both perished, brother slain by brother.
He smashed down upon the earth,
The firebrand was snatched from the blasphemous hand,
As he staggered on like a drunk at an orgy,
Breathing hate and flame,
And fell. Elsewhere in the battle
Here, there, great Mars wheeled like a war horse,
Spearing out from his chariot,
And our enemies bit the dust.
Seven captains hammered on
Our seven gates; there was an opponent for each,
And each left behind his bright armor,
A trophy for Zeus who turned the tide;
There were just two who remain, that unfortunate pair,
Born of the same parents,
Who charged with their lances, one against the other,
Drove them home and both died, brother killed by brother.
(Ant. 2)
Now Victory to Thebes returns again
And smiles upon her chariot-circled plain.
Now let feast and festal should
Memories of war blot out.
Let us to the temples throng,
Dance and sing the live night long.
god of Thebes, lead thou the round.
Bacchus, shaker of the ground!
Let us end our revels here;
Lo! Creon our new lord draws near,
Crowned by this strange chance, our king.
What, I marvel, pondering?
Why this summons? Wherefore call
Us, his elders, one and all,
Bidding us with him debate,
On some grave concern of State?
[Enter CREON]
Now Victory comes back to Thebes,
And smiles on her plain, circled with chariots.
Now let feast and festival
Blot out the memories of war.
Let us all go to the temples
And dance and sing the whole night through.
god of Thebes, lead the song,
Bacchus, the ground shaker!
Now let’s stop our celebrations;
Look! Creon, our new lord, is coming,
Crowned, by the twists of fate, our king.
What, I wonder, is he thinking of?
Why has he summoned us? Why has he called
All of the elders,
Calling us to debate with him
Some important affairs of State?
CREON
Elders, the gods have righted once again
Our storm-tossed ship of state, now safe in port.
But you by special summons I convened
As my most trusted councilors; first, because
I knew you loyal to Laius of old;
Again, when Oedipus restored our State,
Both while he ruled and when his rule was o'er,
Ye still were constant to the royal line.
Now that his two sons perished in one day,
Brother by brother murderously slain,
By right of kinship to the Princes dead,
I claim and hold the throne and sovereignty.
Yet 'tis no easy matter to discern
The temper of a man, his mind and will,
Till he be proved by exercise of power;
And in my case, if one who reigns supreme
Swerve from the highest policy, tongue-tied
By fear of consequence, that man I hold,
And ever held, the basest of the base.
And I contemn the man who sets his friend
Before his country. For myself, I call
To witness Zeus, whose eyes are everywhere,
If I perceive some mischievous design
To sap the State, I will not hold my tongue;
Nor would I reckon as my private friend
A public foe, well knowing that the State
Is the good ship that holds our fortunes all:
Farewell to friendship, if she suffers wreck.
Such is the policy by which I seek
To serve the Commons and conformably
I have proclaimed an edict as concerns
The sons of Oedipus; Eteocles
Who in his country's battle fought and fell,
The foremost champion--duly bury him
With all observances and ceremonies
That are the guerdon of the heroic dead.
But for the miscreant exile who returned
Minded in flames and ashes to blot out
His father's city and his father's gods,
And glut his vengeance with his kinsmen's blood,
Or drag them captive at his chariot wheels--
For Polyneices 'tis ordained that none
Shall give him burial or make mourn for him,
But leave his corpse unburied, to be meat
For dogs and carrion crows, a ghastly sight.
So am I purposed; never by my will
Shall miscreants take precedence of true men,
But all good patriots, alive or dead,
Shall be by me preferred and honored.
Elders, the gods have steadied
Our storm-tossed ship of state, now safely in port.
But I have gathered you by special summons
As my most trusted advisers; firstly, because
I know that you were loyal to Laius in the old days,
And then as you were also loyal to Oedipus when he saved our state,
Both when he ruled and when his rule was finished,
You stayed loyal to the royal family.
Now that his two sons have died in one day,
Brother murdered by brother,
I claim and hold the throne and kingship,
By right of my relation to the dead princes.
But it isn’t easy to tell
The strength of a man, of his mind and willpower,
Until it is tested once he’s in power;
And for me, if anyone who has the highest power
Dodges following the best policy, not speaking
For fear of the consequences, I have always
Thought that man the lowest of the low.
And I despise the man who puts his friend
Before his country. For myself,
I swear by Zeus, who sees all,
That if I uncover some cunning plan
To damage the State, I will not be silent;
Nor would I have a public enemy
As a private friend, knowing that the State
Is the good ship that carries all our futures:
Friendship will be ended if she is wrecked.
This is my policy as I try
To serve the people, and so
I have issued an order in relation
To the sons of Oedipus: Eteocles,
Who fought and died for his country
As a hero – he should be buried
With all the respect and ceremony
That are the right of the honored dead.
But for that wretched exile who returned,
Meaning with flames to destroy
His father’s city and his father’s gods,
And satisfy his thirst for revenge with the blood of his kinsmen,
Or to drag them as prisoners behind his chariot –
For Polynieces I rule that nobody
Shall give him a burial or mourn for him,
But that his corpse should be left unburied as meat
For the dogs and carrion crows, a horrid sight.
This is my decision; never will I let
Scoundrels be honored over true men,
But all good patriots, alive or dead,
Shall be promoted and honored by me.
Translation missing: en.general.search.loading