SOPHOCLES’

“ANTIGONE”

Written circa 442BCE

TRANSLATED BY

GEORGE THEODORIDIS

©2004
DRAMATIS PERSONAE

ANTIGONE )

ISMENE ) SISTERS

CHORUS OF THEBAN ELDERS

CREON KING OF THEBES

HAEMON HIS SON

GUARD

TEIRESIAS A BLIND SEER

A YOUNG BOY HIS GUIDE

EURYDICE CREON’S WIFE

SOLDIERS ATTENDANTS TO THE KING

FEMALE SLAVES ATTENDANTS TO EURYDICE

ACT ONE

Before the curtain is raised we hear the sounds of battle. Fade out.

Pause

Sounds of a bright morning. Cheery birds. Continues until just before Antigone speaks.

Curtain is raised.

Dawn breaking. We are at the front of the palace of Thebes. Its great gates are a little off centre, towards Stage Right

The stage has two levels. The top is used by Creon, Eurydice and their attendants. The lower by everyone else.

ANTIGONE and ISMENE stand together at Stage Left.

It is made obvious that ANTIGONE has brought ISMENE to that spot in secret.

They are “whispering,” lest anyone in the palace hears them.

Antigone:

Dear, dear Ismene! My poor sister! Do you think Zeus has any more disasters to hurl upon our lives as punishment for our father’s sins? So far we tasted sadness, destruction, disgrace and dishonour. And now our king has stunned the whole city with this new law of his. Do you understand what it means? Do know what shame this new law will bring upon our brothers?

11

Ismene:

No, Antigone. What is it? I’ve heard neither good nor bad news about them. Not since that day when we were robbed of both our brothers. In the one day, in the one fatal battle, each killing the other. The Argive enemy ran away last night. I know nothing else about all that, either to make me happy or sad.

Antigone:

I thought so. That’s why I’ve brought you out here, Ismene; to tell you secretly and alone.

Ismene:

What is it, Antigone? I can see that there’s something deep and dreadful in your words.

Antigone:

The burial of our brothers, Ismene!

Creon has decreed that the one may be buried in all honours while the other is not to be buried at all but be shamed. They say Creon has buried Eteocles in all proper burial rites and ceremonies fully preparing him for the world below, while our other brother, Polyneices, who died a death just as horrible, should be left unburied and unmourned! Left alone, to be food for the starving ravens of the sky who eagerly look out for their food. These are the sorts of things our good Creon decreed for us two, Ismene! For you, Ismene and for me. Yes, even for me!

She looks around her anxiously.

They say he’s about to come out of the palace any minute now to make this declaration for all those who haven’t heard it before and to make it clear to them.

And he’s not taking this declaration lightly, either! Because if someone dares to disobey it, he’ll have death by public stoning to look forward to! And that’s how things stand at the moment and you, Ismene, you have to show the true worth of your birth: are you worthy of it or will you shame your lineage?

Ismene:

But, Antigone, if things have gone that far what can I do? How could I possibly help?

40

Antigone:

We can think and act together.

Ismene:

What? Antigone, what are you up to? What dangerous thing have you got in mind now?

Antigone:

Extends her right hand to Ismene

Ismene, help this hand to lift the corpse!

Ismene:

Horrified

Ah! Are you thinking of burying Polyneices? It’s against the will of the city, the will of the King!

45

Antigone:

He’s our brother, Ismene! Yours and mine! And if you won’t help me then they won’t be saying that it was I who has betrayed him!

Ismene:

You poor woman! You’re going to bury our brother against the King’s wishes?

Antigone:

Creon has no right at all to separate me from my own brother. None whatsoever!

Ismene:

Antigone! Dear sister! Think how hated our father was when he died. How full of shame! He had committed such shame and such sins that, after bringing them all to the light, he gouged out both his eyes! Then she, who bore the double name of mother and wife, took her own life with a rope. Then, both our poor brothers perished in the one day, each of them killing the other with his own hand. And so, now we two are left all alone. Think what awful end we can expect if we go against Creon’s law!

After all Antigone, don’t forget, we are mere women, we can’t fight against men!

The rulers are far stronger than we are and we have to do as they say, not only about this but also about far worse things.

So, what I shall do, on my behalf is, pray to the dead to forgive Polyneices and then do as Creon says because to wish to do more than what you’re able to do is madness! To act beyond your ability is mindless folly.

69

Antigone:

Angry now

I will neither beg you nor would I be happy to accept your help, even if you had offered it to me. You can believe what you want but I shall bury him. My death will be sweet once I bury him, because I’ll be lying next him in the underworld, having committed such a sacred crime.

Pause. Pensively

The time I’ll have to please the dead is far longer than the time I have to please the living. With the dead I’ll be for ever. You, though, you can choose if you want to dishonour things that are honoured by the gods.

Ismene:

I’m not at all dishonouring them, Antigone but I can’t see how I can go against the city either!

80

Antigone:

Sure, sure! You make all these excuses if you want. I’m off to dig my dear brother’s grave.

Ismene:

How afraid I am for you, Antigone!

Antigone:

Afraid? Oh, don’t be afraid for me Ismene. Look out after your own life!

Ismene:

At least don’t tell anyone else, Antigone and nor will I! Let’s keep this a secret!

86

Antigone:

God! By all means, tell the whole world! I’d hate you all the more if you didn’t!

Ismene:

Cold things wrap your hot heart, my dear sister!