Prompt: Antigone and Antony in Cleopatra both present their narratives through not only what the audience sees happen on the stage but also what characters report happening off stage. Write one of the scenes that the play implies but does not explicitly present. Your scene should comprise at least 150 lines of poetry or 1000 words (the minimum is whichever is less). You may either a) write the scene in the style of the original or b) forge your own style (e.g., a novelistic depiction or a stand-alone poem). 

Setting: Ismene is in her room, anxiously pacing. Enter the messenger.

Messenger: My Lady, I bring news

bearing the state of your sister, Antigone.

Ismene: (gasps) What? What is it?

I pray you, tell me.

Messenger: By the authority of the guard

she has been caught burying her brother, Polyneices.

She was found after she was heard

wailing in sorrow at the unburial of Polyneices

by the guards. Her screams shook the earth under

the guard’s feet and they discovered her presence.

The poor princess is being brought before

the King, Kreon, as we speak for her sentence.

(Ismene stops pacing and looks to the floor)

Ismene: Thank you, you may take your leave.

Messenger exits and Ismene sinks to the floor.

Ismene:

What to do?

I told her this was an impossible task. 

My poor sister is soon to face the death

she has been yearning for, a death which

she calls just and favorable to the gods. She sees what is below,

without care to this hour. I see this hour,

and all that is in my sight is the glooming fate 

of our poor father and two brothers; like a noose around our necks,

ready to tighten at the slightest move we make.

I fear for this fate, which came from

the conflict and change which I see hurling towards us

as my lips utter these things. 

Oh, what shall I do?

My body trembles at the crossroads ahead of me.

I feel this unbreakable noose tightening around my neck

as I desperately claw to get free.

Without my sister by my side, I cannot bear to suffer it. 

The fortune I was so worried about preserving

has diminished at this news of my sister,

which I might have prevented if I went with her.

Chorus:

The gods call down from their mountain

of light and luxury to cause conflict with Ismene’s mind.

She feels the tug of the gods’ sworn justice.

This act, which has resulted in princess Antigone’s condemnation,

has tipped the scales of Themis.

Ismene’s fear of fate’s hand has caused her

to reject the gods and their laws and turn her face 

to the corrupted law of man. How nonsensical man can be,

a being who conquers the land and dominates the sea,

a being who’s rationale enables him to deceive

 even the smartest of animals.

This very being cannot escape Hades, though he may 

tie himself down with ropes of iron to the dirt of this earth.

Ismene, though she claims to have neither the strength

nor capabilities to fight the law of man has falsely assumed

her battle with the law of the gods is one possible to win.

Ismene, who’s heart and mind are at war, the gods call you,

 your beloved sister calls you, to take your misguided strength

and stand to even the scales.

Ismene:

I feel like I’m drowning in my own fear, sorrow, and love.

My beloved sister, who has endured with me fate’s cold grasp,

is being taken by that which has hold of my terror. 

Do I run to the danger, run to my demise?

What if I cannot pry her from its fingers?

I will have failed her twice. I have treasured

this ground I walk on too much- much more than my sister,

 I fear to admit. May the gods grant me strength.

Ismene: Oh! My own sister. I feel my spirit slip away

at the thought of her leaving me on this wretched earth.

 The quiet mornings, lone walks, and her flickering spirit in my mind

are not enough for me. I cannot bear to think of a life

where Antigone does not remain by my side.

My fate is horrible now, but will be nothing

but darkness and death if she joins

our father and brothers in the other world. 

What is life but no more if she goes?

I tremble with anger at Kreon for his proclamation.

I now see through my dear sister’s eyes.

Where is the honor? Where is the justice?

Ismene walks out of her room and heads to the courtyard.

No. He cannot take her from me. Kreon cannot take my sister.  

I care not for the rules of the citizens.

Their corruption has shattered

 the very heart of my kingdom, this kingdom

which has its foundation in the laws of the gods.

 Antigone has bravely stood before the king 

who holds the string of her fate in his greedy hands.

My fear has fallen away to the gods revelation.

 I know what I must do for my sake and the sake of my sister.

Chorus:

The gods have blessed Ismene with the strength of men

and the strength of her sister to stand against the king. 

The earth roars with the voices of those

who have been left unburied by the living

as the voices of injustice.

The gates of Hades are opening for Polyneices and these sisters

to walk through in dignity. They will be clothed 

with the finest silk and usher in the justice of the gods

to the kings of this day. Fear has been overcome,

love and justice has conquered.

Now we shall see how far the gods’ help will take her.