BACKGROUND TO THE STORY

When Oedipus, King of Thebes, discovered through his own investigations that he had killed his father and married his mother, Jocasta, he put out his own eyes, and Jocasta killed herself. Once Oedipus ceased being king of Thebes, his two sons, Polyneices and Eteocles, agreed to alternate as king. When Eteocles refused to give up power to Polyneices, the latter collected a foreign army of Argives and attacked the city. In the ensuing battle, the Thebans triumphed over the invading forces, and the two brothers killed each other, with Eteocles defending the city and Polyneices attacking it. The action of the play begins immediately after the battle. Creon is the brother of Jocasta and thus an uncle of Antigone, Ismene, Eteocles, and Polyneices.

The following text is based on the translation by Ian Johnston of Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. You can find the original here. The headlines in the text were added by me for easier navigation. The numbers without brackets refer to the text as it is reproduced, and the numbers in brackets refer to the original Greek text.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

ANTIGONE: daughter of Oedipus

ISMENE: daughter of Oedipus, sister of Antigone

CREON: king of Thebes

EURYDICE: wife of Creon

HAEMON: son of Creon and Euridice, engaged to Antigone.

TEIRESIAS: an old blind prophet

BOY: a young lad guiding Teiresias

GUARD: a soldier serving Creon

MESSENGER

CHORUS: Theban Elders

ATTENDANTS.

[In Thebes, directly in front of the royal palace, which stands in the background, its main doors facing the audience. Enter Antigone leading Ismene away from the palace.]

Antigone and Ismene

ANTIGONE

Now, dear Ismene, my own blood sister, do you have any sense of all the troubles

Zeus keeps bringing on the two of us,

as long as we’re alive? All that misery

which stems from Oedipus? There’s no suffering,

no shame, no ruin—not one dishonour—

which I have not seen in all the troubles

you and I go through. What’s this they’re saying now,

something our general has had proclaimed

throughout the city? Do you know of it? 10

Have you heard? Or have you just missed the news?

Dishonours which better fit our enemies

are now being piled up on the ones we love. [10]

ISMENE

I’ve had no word at all, Antigone,

nothing good or bad about our family,

not since we two lost both our brothers,

killed on the same day by a double blow.

And since the Argive army, just last night,

has gone away, I don’t know any more

if I’ve been lucky or face total ruin. 20

ANTIGONE

I know that. That’s why I brought you here,

outside the gates, so only you can hear.

ISMENE

What is it? The way you look makes it seem [20]

you’re thinking of some dark and gloomy news.

ANTIGONE

Look—what’s Creon doing with our two brothers?

He’s honouring one with a full funeral

and treating the other one disgracefully!

Eteocles, they say, has had his burial

according to our customary rites,

to win him honour with the dead below. 30

But as for Polyneices, who perished

so miserably, an order has gone out

throughout the city—that’s what people say.

He’s to have no funeral or lament,

but to be left unburied and unwept,

a sweet treasure for the birds to look at,

for them to feed on to their heart’s content. [30]

That’s what people say the noble Creon

has announced to you and me—I mean to me—

and now he’s coming to proclaim the fact, 40

to state it clearly to those who have not heard.

For Creon this matter’s really serious.

Anyone who acts against the order

will be stoned to death before the city.

Now you know, and you’ll quickly demonstrate

whether you are nobly born, or else

a girl unworthy of her splendid ancestors.

ISMENE

O my poor sister, if that’s what’s happening,

what can I say that would be any help

to ease the situation or resolve it? 50 [40]

ANTIGONE

Think whether you will work with me in this

and act together.

ISMENE

In what kind of work?

What do you mean?

ANTIGONE

Will you help these hands

take up Polyneices’ corpse and bury it?

ISMENE

What? You’re going to bury Polyneices,

when that’s been made a crime for all in Thebes?

ANTIGONE

Yes. I’ll do my duty to my brother—

and yours as well, if you’re not prepared to.

I won’t be caught betraying him.

ISMENE

You’re too rash.

Has Creon not expressly banned that act? 60

ANTIGONE

Yes. But he’s no right to keep me from what’s mine.

ISMENE

O dear. Think, Antigone. Consider

how our father died, hated and disgraced, [50]

when those mistakes which his own search revealed

forced him to turn his hand against himself

and stab out both his eyes. Then that woman,

his mother and his wife—her double role—

destroyed her own life in a twisted noose.

Then there’s our own two brothers, both butchered

in a single day—that ill-fated pair 70

with their own hands slaughtered one another

and brought about their common doom.

Now, the two of us are left here quite alone.

Think how we’ll die far worse than all the rest,

if we defy the law and move against [60]

the king’s decree, against his royal power.

We must remember that by birth we’re women,

and, as such, we shouldn’t fight with men.

Since those who rule are much more powerful,

we must obey in this and in events 80

which bring us even harsher agonies.

So I’ll ask those underground for pardon—

since I’m being compelled, I will obey

those in control. That’s what I’m forced to do.

It makes no sense to try to do too much.

ANTIGONE

I wouldn’t urge you to. No. Not even

if you were keen to act. Doing this with you

would bring me no joy. So be what you want. [70]

I’ll still bury him. It would be fine to die

while doing that. I’ll lie there with him, 90

with a man I love, pure and innocent,

for all my crime. My honours for the dead

must last much longer than for those up here.

I’ll lie down there forever. As for you,

well, if you wish, you can show contempt

for those laws the gods all hold in honour.

ISMENE

I’m not disrespecting them. But I can’t act

against the state. That’s not in my nature.

ANTIGONE

Let that be your excuse. I’m going now [80]

to make a burial mound for my dear brother. 100

ISMENE

Oh poor Antigone, I’m so afraid for you.

ANTIGONE

Don’t fear for me. Set your own fate in order.

ISMENE

Make sure you don’t reveal to anyone

what you intend. Keep it closely hidden.

I’ll do the same.

ANTIGONE

No, no. Announce the fact—

if you don’t let everybody know,

I’ll despise your silence even more.

ISMENE

Your heart is hot to do cold deeds.

ANTIGONE

But I know

I’ll please the ones I’m duty bound to please.

ISMENE

Yes, if you can. But you’re after something 110 [90]

which you’re incapable of carrying out.

ANTIGONE

Well, when my strength is gone, then I’ll give up.

ISMENE

A vain attempt should not be made at all.

ANTIGONE

I’ll hate you if you’re going to talk that way.

And you’ll rightly earn the loathing of the dead.

So leave me and my foolishness alone—

we’ll get through this fearful thing. I won’t suffer

anything as bad as a disgraceful death.

ISMENE

All right then, go, if that’s what you think right.

But remember this—even though your mission 120

makes no sense, your friends do truly love you.

[Exit Antigone away from the palace. Ismene watches her go and then turns slowly into the palace. Enter the Chorus of Theban elders]

Chorus

CHORUS

O ray of sunlight, [100]

most beautiful that ever shone

on Thebes, city of the seven gates,

you’ve appeared at last,

you glowing eye of golden day,

moving above the streams of Dirce,

driving into headlong flight

the white-shield warrior from Argos,

who marched here fully armed, 130

now forced back by your sharper power.

CHORUS LEADER

Against our land he marched, [110]

sent here by the warring claims

of Polyneices, with piercing screams,

an eagle flying above our land,

covered wings as white as snow,

and hordes of warriors in arms,

helmets topped with horsehair crests.

CHORUS

Standing above our homes,

he ranged around our seven gates, 140

with threats to swallow us

and spears thirsting to kill.

Before his jaws had had their fill [120]

and gorged themselves on Theban blood,

before Hephaistos’ pine-torch flames

had seized our towers, our fortress crown,

he went back, driven in retreat.

Behind him rings the din of war—

his enemy, the Theban dragon-snake,

too difficult for him to overcome. 150

CHORUS LEADER

Zeus hates an arrogant boasting tongue.

Seeing them march here in a mighty stream,

in all their clanging golden pride, [130]

he hurled his fire and struck the man,

up there, on our battlements, as he began

to scream aloud his victory.

CHORUS

The man swung down, torch still in hand,

and smashed into unyielding earth—

the one who not so long ago attacked,

who launched his furious, enraged assault, 160

to blast us, breathing raging storms.

But things turned out not as he’d hoped.

Great war god Ares assisted us—

he smashed them down and doomed them all [140]

to a very different fate.

CHORUS LEADER

Seven captains at seven gates

matched against seven equal warriors

paid Zeus their full bronze tribute,

the god who turns the battle tide,

all but that pair of wretched men, 170

born of one father and one mother, too—

who set their conquering spears against each other

and then both shared a common death.

CHORUS

Now victory with her glorious name

has come, bringing joy to well-armed Thebes.

The battle’s done—let’s strive now to forget [150]

with songs and dancing all night long,

with Bacchus leading us to make Thebes shake.

[The palace doors are thrown open and guards appear at the doors]

CHORUS LEADER

But here comes Creon, new king of our land,

son of Menoikeos. Thanks to the gods, 180

who’ve brought about our new good fortune.

What plan of action does he have in mind?

What’s made him hold this special meeting, [160]

with elders summoned by a general call?

[Enter Creon from the palace. He addresses the assembled elders]

Creon

Men, after much tossing of our ship of state,

the gods have safely set things right again.

Of all the citizens I’ve summoned you,

because I know how well you showed respect

for the eternal power of the throne,

first with Laius and again with Oedipus, 190

once he restored our city. When he died,

you stood by his children, firm in loyalty.

Now his sons have perished in a single day,

killing each other with their own two hands,

a double slaughter, stained with brother’s blood. [170]

And so I have the throne, all royal power,

for I’m the one most closely linked by blood

to those who have been killed. It’s impossible

to really know a man, to know his soul,

his mind and will, before one witnesses 200

his skill in governing and making laws.

For me, a man who rules the entire state

and does not take the best advice there is,

but through fear keeps his mouth forever shut, [180]

such a man is the very worst of men—

and always will be. And a man who thinks

more highly of a friend than of his country,

well, he means nothing to me. Let Zeus know,

the god who always watches everything,

I would not stay silent if I saw disaster 210

moving here against the citizens,

a threat to their security. For anyone

who acts against the state, its enemy,

I’d never make my friend. For I know well

our country is a ship which keeps us safe,

and only when it sails its proper course [190]

do we make friends. These are the principles

I’ll use in order to protect our state.

That’s why I’ve announced to all citizens

my orders for the sons of Oedipus— 220

Eteocles, who perished in the fight

to save our city, the best and bravest

of our spearmen, will have his burial,

with all those purifying rituals

which accompany the noblest corpses,

as they move below. As for his brother—

that Polyneices, who returned from exile,

eager to wipe out in all-consuming fire [200]

his ancestral city and its native gods,

keen to seize upon his family’s blood 230

and lead men into slavery—for him,

the proclamation in the state declares

he’ll have no burial mound, no funeral rites,

and no lament. He’ll be left unburied,

his body there for birds and dogs to eat,

a clear reminder of his shameful fate.

That’s my decision. For I’ll never act

to respect an evil man with honours

in preference to a man who’s acted well.

Anyone who’s well disposed towards our state, 240

alive or dead, that man I will respect. [210]

CHORUS LEADER

Son of Menoikeos, if that’s your will

for this city’s friends and enemies,

it seems to me you now control all laws

concerning those who’ve died and us as well—

the ones who are still living.

CREON

See to it then,

and act as guardians of what’s been proclaimed.

CHORUS

Give that task to younger men to deal with.

CREON

There are men assigned to oversee the corpse.

CHORUS LEADER

Then what remains that you would have us do? 250

CREON

Don’t yield to those who contravene my orders.

CHORUS LEADER

No one is such a fool that he loves death. [220]

CREON

Yes, that will be his full reward, indeed.

And yet men have often been destroyed

because they hoped to profit in some way.

[Enter a guard, coming towards the palace]

GUARD

My lord, I can’t say I’ve come out of breath

by running here, making my feet move fast.

Many times I stopped to think things over—

and then I’d turn around, retrace my steps.

My mind was saying many things to me, 260

“You fool, why go to where you know for sure

your punishment awaits?”—“And now, poor man,

why are you hesitating yet again?

If Creon finds this out from someone else, [230]

how will you escape being hurt?” Such matters

kept my mind preoccupied. And so I went,

slowly and reluctantly, and thus made

a short road turn into a lengthy one.

But then the view that I should come to you

won out. If what I have to say is nothing, 270

I’ll say it nonetheless. For I’ve come here

clinging to the hope that I’ll not suffer

anything that’s not part of my destiny.

CREON

What’s happening that’s made you so upset?

GUARD

I want to tell you first about myself.

I did not do it. And I didn’t see

the one who did. So it would be unjust

if I should come to grief. [240]

CREON

You hedge so much.

Clearly you have news of something ominous.

GUARD

Yes. Strange things that make me pause a lot. 280

CREON

Why not say it and then go—just leave.

GUARD

All right, I’ll tell you. It’s about the corpse.

Someone has buried it and disappeared,

after spreading thirsty dust onto the flesh

and undertaking all appropriate rites.

CREON

What are you saying? What man would dare this?

GUARD

I don’t know. There was no sign of digging,

no marks of any pick axe or a mattock. [250]

The ground was dry and hard and very smooth,

without a wheel track. Whoever did it 290

left no trace. When the first man on day watch

revealed it to us, we were all amazed.

The corpse was hidden, but not in a tomb.

It was lightly covered up with dirt,

as if someone wanted to avert a curse.

There was no trace of a wild animal

or dogs who’d come to rip the corpse apart.

Then the words flew round among us all,

with every guard accusing someone else. [260]

We were about to fight, to come to blows— 300

no one was there to put a stop to it.

Every one of us was responsible,

but none of us was clearly in the wrong.

In our defence we pleaded ignorance.

Then we each stated we were quite prepared

to pick up red-hot iron, walk through flames,

or swear by all the gods that we’d not done it,

we’d no idea how the act was planned,

or how it had been carried out. At last,

when all our searching had proved useless, 310

one man spoke up, and his words forced us all

to drop our faces to the ground in fear. [270]

We couldn’t see things working out for us,

whether we agreed or disagreed with him.

He said we must report this act to you—

we must not hide it. And his view prevailed.

I was the unlucky man who won the prize,

the luck of the draw. That’s why I’m now here,

not of my own free will or by your choice.

I know that—for no one likes a messenger 320

who comes bearing unwelcome news with him.

CHORUS LEADER

My lord, I’ve been wondering for some time now—

could this act not be something from the gods?

CREON

Stop now—before what you’re about to say [280]

enrages me completely and reveals

that you’re not only old but stupid, too.

No one can tolerate what you’ve just said,

when you claim gods might care about this corpse.

Would they pay extraordinary honours

and bury as a man who’d served them well 330

someone who came to burn their offerings,

their pillared temples, to torch their lands

and scatter all its laws? Or do you see

gods paying respect to evil men? No, no.

For quite a while some people in the town

have secretly been muttering against me. [290]

They don’t agree with what I have decreed.

They shake their heads and have not kept their necks

under my yoke, as they are duty bound to do

if they were men who are content with me. 340

I well know that these guards were led astray—

such men urged them to carry out this act

for money. To foster evil actions,

to make them commonplace among all men,

nothing is as powerful as money.

It destroys cities, driving men from home.

Money trains and twists the minds in worthy men,

so they then undertake disgraceful acts.

Money teaches men to live as scoundrels, [300]

familiar with every profane enterprise. 350

But those who carry out such acts for cash

sooner or later see how for their crimes

they pay the penalty. For if great Zeus

still has my respect, then understand this—

I swear to you on oath—unless you find

the one whose hands really buried him,

unless you bring him here before my eyes,

then death for you will never be enough.

No, not before you’re hung up still alive

and you confess to this gross, violent act. 360

That way you’ll understand in future days, [310]

when there’s a profit to be gained from theft,

you’ll learn that it’s not good to be in love

with every kind of monetary gain.

You’ll know more men are ruined than are saved

when they earn profits from dishonest schemes.

GUARD

Do I have your permission to speak now,

or do I just turn around and go away?

CREON

But I find your voice so irritating—

don’t you realize that?

GUARD

Where does it hurt? 370

Is it in your ears or in your mind?

CREON

Why try to question where I feel my pain?

GUARD

The man who did it—he upsets your mind.

I offend your ears.

CREON

My, my, it’s clear to see

it's natural for you to chatter on. [320]

GUARD

Perhaps. But I never did this.

CREON

This and more—

you sold your life for silver.

GUARD

How strange and sad

when the one who sorts this out gets it all wrong.

CREON

Well, enjoy your sophisticated views.

But if you don’t reveal to me who did this, 380

you’ll just confirm how much your treasonous gains

have made you suffer.

[Exit Creon back into the palace. The doors close behind him]

GUARD

Well, I hope he’s found.

That would be best. But whether caught or not—

and that’s something sheer chance will bring about—

you won’t see me coming here again.

This time, against all hope and expectation, [330]

I’m still unhurt. I owe the gods great thanks.

[Exit the Guard away from the palace]

CHORUS

There are many strange and wonderful things,

but nothing more strangely wonderful than man.

He moves across the white-capped ocean seas 390

blasted by winter storms, carving his way

under the surging waves engulfing him.

With his teams of horses he wears down

the unwearied and immortal earth,

the oldest of the gods, harassing her,

as year by year his ploughs move back and forth. [340]

He snares the light-winged flocks of birds,

herds of wild beasts, creatures from deep seas,

trapped in the fine mesh of his hunting nets.

O resourceful man, whose skill can overcome 400

ferocious beasts roaming mountain heights. [350]

He curbs the rough-haired horses with his bit

and tames the inexhaustible mountain bulls,

setting their savage necks beneath his yoke.

He’s taught himself speech and wind-swift thought,

trained his feelings for communal civic life,

learning to escape the icy shafts of frost,

volleys of pelting rain in winter storms,

the harsh life lived under the open sky.

That’s man—so resourceful in all he does. 410 [360]

There’s no event his skill cannot confront—

other than death—that alone he cannot shun,

although for many baffling sicknesses

he has discovered his own remedies.

The qualities of his inventive skills

bring arts beyond his dreams and lead him on,

sometimes to evil and sometimes to good.

If he treats his country’s laws with due respect

and honours justice by swearing on the gods,

he wins high honours in his city. 420

But when he grows bold and turns to evil, [370]

then he has no city. A man like that—

let him not share my home or know my mind.

[Enter the Guard, bringing Antigone with him. She is not resisting]

Antigone and Creon

CHORUS LEADER

What this? I fear some omen from the gods.

I can’t deny what I see here so clearly—

that young girl there—it’s Antigone.

O you poor girl, daughter of Oedipus,

child of a such a father, so unfortunate,

what’s going on? Surely they’ve not brought you here

because you’ve disobeyed the royal laws, 430

because they’ve caught you acting foolishly? [380]

GUARD

This here’s the one who carried out the act.

We caught her as she was burying the corpse.

Where’s Creon?

[The palace doors open. Enter Creon with attendants]

CHORUS LEADER

He’s coming from the house—

and just in time.

CREON

Why have I come “just in time”?

What’s happening? What is it?

GUARD

My lord,

human beings should never take an oath

there’s something they’ll not do—for later thoughts

contradict what they first meant. I’d have sworn [390]

I’d not soon venture here again. Back then, 440

the threats you made brought me a lot of grief.

But there’s no joy as great as what we pray for

against all hope. And so I have come back,

breaking that oath I swore. I bring this girl,

captured while she was honouring the grave.

This time we did not draw lots. No. This time

I was the lucky man, not someone else.

And now, my lord, take her for questioning.

Convict her. Do as you wish. As for me,

by rights I’m free and clear of all this trouble. 450 [400]

CREON

This girl here—how did you catch her? And where?

GUARD

She was burying that man. Now you know

all there is to know.

CREON

Do you understand

just what you’re saying? Are your words the truth?

GUARD

We saw this girl giving that dead man’s corpse

full burial rites—an act you’d made illegal.

Is what I say simple and clear enough?

CREON

How did you see her, catch her in the act?

GUARD

It happened this way. When we got there,

after hearing those awful threats from you, 460

we swept off all the dust covering the corpse,

so the damp body was completely bare. [410]

Then we sat down on rising ground up wind,

to escape the body’s putrid rotting stench.

We traded insults just to stay awake,

in case someone was careless on the job.

That’s how we spent the time right up ’til noon,

when the sun’s bright circle in the sky

had moved half way and it was burning hot.

Then suddenly a swirling windstorm came, 470

whipping clouds of dust up from the ground,

filling the plain—some heaven-sent trouble.

In that level place the dirt storm damaged

all the forest growth, and the air around [420]

was filled with dust for miles. We shut our mouths

and just endured this scourge sent from the gods.

A long time passed. The storm came to an end.

That’s when we saw the girl. She was shrieking—

a distressing painful cry, just like a bird

who’s seen an empty nest, its fledglings gone. 480

That’s how she was when she saw the naked corpse.

She screamed out a lament, and then she swore,

calling evil curses down upon the ones

who’d done this. Then right away her hands

threw on the thirsty dust. She lifted up

a finely made bronze jug and then three times [430]

poured out her tributes to the dead.

When we saw that, we rushed up right away

and grabbed her. She was not afraid at all.

We charged her with her previous offence 490

as well as this one. She just kept standing there,

denying nothing. That made me happy—

though it was painful, too. For it’s a joy

escaping troubles which affect oneself,

but painful to bring evil on one’s friends.

But all that is of less concern to me

than my own safety. [440]

CREON

You there—you with your face

bent down towards the ground, what do you say?

Do you deny you did this or admit it?

ANTIGONE

I admit I did it. I won’t deny that. 500

CREON [to the Guard]

You’re dismissed—go where you want. You’re free—

no serious charges made against you.

[Exit the Guard. Creon turns to interrogate Antigone]

Tell me briefly—not in some lengthy speech—

were you aware there was a proclamation

forbidding what you did?

ANTIGONE

I’d heard of it.

How could I not? It was public knowledge.

CREON

And yet you dared to break those very laws?

ANTIGONE

Yes. Zeus did not announce those laws to me. [450]

And Justice living with the gods below

sent no such laws for men. I did not think 510

anything which you proclaimed strong enough

to let a mortal override the gods

and their unwritten and unchanging laws.

They’re not just for today or yesterday,

but exist forever, and no one knows

where they first appeared. So I did not mean

to let a fear of any human will

lead to my punishment among the gods.

I know all too well I’m going to die— [460]

how could I not?—it makes no difference 520

what you decree. And if I have to die

before my time, well, I count that a gain.

When someone has to live the way I do,

surrounded by so many evil things,

how can she fail to find a benefit

in death? And so for me meeting this fate

won’t bring any pain. But if I’d allowed

my own mother’s dead son to just lie there,

an unburied corpse, then I’d feel distress.

What’s going on here does not hurt me at all. 530

If you think what I’m doing now is stupid,

perhaps I’m being charged with foolishness [470]

by someone who’s a fool.

CHORUS LEADER

It’s clear enough

the spirit in this girl is passionate—

her father was the same. She has no sense

of compromise in times of trouble.

CREON [to the Chorus Leader]

But you should know the most obdurate wills

are those most prone to break. The strongest iron

tempered in the fire to make it really hard—

that’s the kind you see most often shatter. 540

I’m well aware the most tempestuous horses

are tamed by one small bit. Pride has no place

in anyone who is his neighbour’s slave.

This girl here was already very insolent [480]

in contravening laws we had proclaimed.

Here she again displays her proud contempt—

having done the act, she now boasts of it.

She laughs at what she’s done. Well, in this case,

if she gets her way and goes unpunished,

then she’s the man here, not me. No. She may be 550

my sister’s child, closer to me by blood

than anyone belonging to my house

who worships Zeus Herkeios in my home,

but she’ll not escape my harshest punishment—

her sister, too, whom I accuse as well.

She had an equal part in all their plans [490]

to do this burial. Go summon her here.

I saw her just now inside the palace,

her mind out of control, some kind of fit.

[Exit attendants into the palace to fetch Ismene]

When people hatch their mischief in the dark 560

their minds often convict them in advance,

betraying their treachery. How I despise

a person caught committing evil acts

who then desires to glorify the crime.

ANTIGONE

Take me and kill me—what more do you want?

CREON

Me? Nothing. With that I have everything.

ANTIGONE

Then why delay? There’s nothing in your words

that I enjoy—may that always be the case! [500]

And what I say displeases you as much.

But where could I gain greater glory 570

than setting my own brother in his grave?

All those here would confirm this pleases them

if their lips weren’t sealed by fear—being king,

which offers all sorts of various benefits,

means you can talk and act just as you wish.

CREON

In all of Thebes, you’re the only one

who looks at things that way.

ANTIGONE

They share my views,

but they keep their mouths shut just for you.

CREON

These views of yours—so different from the rest—

don’t they bring you any sense of shame? 580 [510]

ANTIGONE

No—there’s nothing shameful in honouring

my mother’s children.

CREON

You had a brother

killed fighting for the other side.

ANTIGONE

Yes—from the same mother and father, too.

CREON

Why then give tributes which insult his name?

ANTIGONE

But his dead corpse won’t back up what you say.

CREON

Yes, he will, if you give equal honours

to a wicked man.

ANTIGONE

But the one who died

was not some slave—it was his own brother.

CREON

Who was destroying this country—the other one 590

went to his death defending it.

ANTIGONE

That may be,

but Hades still desires equal rites for both.

CREON

A good man does not wish what we give him [520]

to be the same an evil man receives.

ANTIGONE

Who knows? In the world below perhaps

such actions are no crime.

CREON

An enemy

can never be a friend, not even in death.

ANTIGONE

But my nature is to love. I cannot hate.

CREON

Then go down to the dead. If you must love,

love them. No woman’s going to govern me— 600

no, no—not while I’m still alive.

[Enter two attendants from the house bringing Ismene to Creon]

Ismene, Antigone, and Creon

CHORUS LEADER

Ismene’s coming. There—right by the door.

She’s crying. How she must love her sister!

From her forehead a cloud casts its shadow

down across her darkly flushing face—

and drops its rain onto her lovely cheeks. [530]

CREON

You there—you snake lurking in my house,

sucking out my life’s blood so secretly.

I’d no idea I was nurturing two pests,

who aimed to rise against my throne. Come here. 610

Tell me this—do you admit you played your part

in this burial, or will you swear an oath

you had no knowledge of it?

ISMENE

I did it—

I admit it, and she’ll back me up.

So I bear the guilt as well.

ANTIGONE

No, no—

justice will not allow you to say that.

You didn’t want to. I didn’t work with you.

ISMENE

But now you’re in trouble, I’m not ashamed [540]

of suffering, too, as your companion.

ANTIGONE

Hades and the dead can say who did it— 620

I don’t love a friend whose love is only words.

ISMENE

You’re my sister. Don’t dishonour me.

Let me respect the dead and die with you.

ANTIGONE

Don’t try to share my death or make a claim

to actions which you did not do. I’ll die—

and that will be enough.

ISMENE

But if you’re gone,

what is there in life for me to love?

ANTIGONE

Ask Creon. He’s the one you care about.

ISMENE

Why hurt me like this? It doesn’t help you. [550]

ANTIGONE

If I am mocking you, it pains me, too. 630

ISMENE

Even now is there some way I can help?

ANTIGONE

Save yourself. I won’t envy your escape.

ISMENE

I feel so wretched leaving you to die.

ANTIGONE

But you chose life—it was my choice to die.

ISMENE

But not before I’d said those words just now.

ANTIGONE

Some people may approve of how you think—

others will believe my judgment’s good.

ISMENE

But the mistake’s the same for both of us.

ANTIGONE

Be brave. You’re alive. But my spirit died

some time ago so I might help the dead 640 [560]

CREON

I’d say one of these girls has just revealed

how mad she is—the other’s been that way

since she was born.

ISMENE

My lord, whatever good sense

people have by birth no longer stays with them

once their lives go wrong—it abandons them.

CREON

In your case, that’s true, once you made your choice

to act in evil ways with wicked people.

ISMENE

How could I live alone, without her here?

CREON

Don’t speak of her being here. Her life is over.

ISMENE

You’re going to kill your own son’s bride? 650

CREON

Why not? There are other fields for him to plough.

ISMENE

No one will make him a more loving wife

than she will.

CREON

I have no desire my son

should have an evil wife.

ANTIGONE

Dearest Haemon,

how your father wrongs you.

CREON

I’ve had enough of this—

you and your marriage.

ISMENE

You really want that?

You’re going to take her from him?

CREON

No, not me.

Hades is the one who’ll stop the marriage.

CHORUS LEADER

So she must die—that seems decided on.

CREON

Yes—for you and me the matter’s closed. 660

[Creon turns to address his attendants]

No more delay. You slaves, take them inside.

From this point on they must act like women

and have no liberty to wander off.

Even bold men run when they see Hades [580]

coming close to them to snatch their lives.

[The attendants take Antigone and Ismene into the palace, leaving Creon and the Chorus on stage]

CHORUS

Those who live without tasting evil

have happy lives—for when the gods

shake a house to its foundations,

then inevitable disasters strike,

falling upon whole families, 670

just as a surging ocean swell

running before cruel Thracian winds

across the dark trench of the sea

churns up the deep black sand [590]

and crashes headlong on the cliffs,

which scream in pain against the wind.

I see this house’s age-old sorrows,

the house of Labdakos’ children,

sorrows falling on the sorrows of the dead,

one generation bringing no relief 680

to generations after it—some god

strikes at them—on and on without an end.

For now the light which has been shining

over the last roots of Oedipus’ house [600]

is being cut down with a bloody knife

belonging to the gods below—

for foolish talk and frenzy in the soul.

O Zeus, what human trespasses

can check your power? Even Sleep,

who casts his nets on everything, 690

cannot master that—nor can the months,

the tireless months the gods control.

A sovereign who cannot grow old,

you hold Olympus as your own,

in all its glittering magnificence. [610]

From now on into all future time,

as in the past, your law holds firm.

It never enters lives of human beings

in its full force without disaster.

Hope ranging far and wide brings comfort 700

to many men—but then hope can deceive,

delusions born of volatile desire.

It comes upon the man who’s ignorant

until his foot is seared in burning fire.

Someone’s wisdom has revealed to us [620]

this famous saying—sometimes the gods

lure a man’s mind forward to disaster,

and he thinks evil’s something good.

But then he lives only the briefest time

free of catastrophe.

[The palace doors open]

CHORUS LEADER

Here comes Haemon, 710

your only living son. Is he grieving

the fate of Antigone, his bride,

bitter that his marriage hopes are gone? [630]

CREON

We’ll soon find out—more accurately

than any prophet here could indicate.

[Enter Haemon from the palace]

Haemon and Creon

My son, have you heard the sentence that’s been passed

upon your bride? And have you now come here

angry at your father? Or are you loyal to me,

on my side no matter what I do?

HAEMON

Father, I’m yours. For me your judgments 720

and the ways you act on them are good—

I shall follow them. I’ll not consider

any marriage a greater benefit

than your fine leadership.

CREON

Indeed, my son,

that’s how your heart should always be resolved,

to stand behind your father’s judgment [640]

on every issue. That’s what men pray for—

obedient children growing up at home

who will pay back their father’s enemies,

evil to them for evil done to him, 730

while honouring his friends as much as he does.

A man who fathers useless children—

what can one say of him except he’s bred

troubles for himself, and much to laugh at

for those who fight against him? So, my son,

don’t ever throw good sense aside for pleasure,

for some woman’s sake. You understand

how such embraces can turn freezing cold [650]

when an evil woman shares your life at home.

What greater wound is there than a false friend? 740

So spit this girl out—she’s your enemy.

Let her marry someone else in Hades.

Since I caught her clearly disobeying,

the only culprit in the entire city,

I won’t perjure myself before the state.

No—I’ll kill her. And so let her appeal

to Zeus, the god of blood relationships.

If I foster any lack of full respect

in my own family, I surely do the same

with those who are not linked to me by blood. 750 [660]

The man who acts well with his household

will be found a just man in the city.

I’d trust such a man to govern wisely

or to be content with someone ruling him.

And in the thick of battle at his post [670]

he’ll stand firm beside his fellow soldier,

a loyal, brave man. But anyone who’s proud

and violates our laws or thinks he’ll tell

our leaders what to do, a man like that

wins no praise from me. No. We must obey 760

whatever man the city puts in charge,

no matter what the issue—great or small,

just or unjust. For there’s no greater evil

than a lack of leadership. That destroys

whole cities, turns households into ruins,

and in war makes soldiers break and run away.

When men succeed, what keeps their lives secure

in almost every case is their obedience.

That’s why they must support those in control,

and never let some woman beat us down. 770

If we must fall from power, let that come

at some man’s hand—at least, we won’t be called

inferior to any woman. [680]

CHORUS LEADER

Unless we’re being deceived by our old age,

what you’ve just said seems reasonable to us.

HAEMON

Father, the gods instill good sense in men—

the greatest of all the things which we possess.

I could not find your words somehow not right—

I hope that’s something I never learn to do.

But other words might be good, as well. 780

Because of who you are, you can't perceive

all the things men say or do—or their complaints.

Your gaze makes citizens afraid—they can’t [690]

say anything you would not like to hear.

But in the darkness I can hear them talk—

the city is upset about the girl.

They say of all women here she’s least deserves

the worst of deaths for her most glorious act.

When in the slaughter her own brother died,

she did not just leave him there unburied, 790

to be ripped apart by carrion dogs or birds.

Surely she deserves some golden honour?

That’s the dark secret rumour people speak. [700]

For me, father, nothing is more valuable

than your well being. For any children,

what could be a greater honour to them

than their father’s thriving reputation?

A father feels the same about his sons.

So don’t let your mind dwell on just one thought,

that what you say is right and nothing else. 800

A man who thinks that only he is wise,

that he can speak and think like no one else,

when such men are exposed, then all can see

their emptiness inside. For any man, [710]

even if he’s wise, there’s nothing shameful

in learning many things, staying flexible.

You notice how in winter floods the trees

which bend before the storm preserve their twigs.

The ones who stand against it are destroyed,

root and branch. In the same way, those sailors 810

who keep their sails stretched tight, never easing off,

make their ship capsize—and from that point on

sail with their rowing benches all submerged.

So end your anger. Permit yourself to change.

For if I, as a younger man, may state

my views, I’d say it would be for the best [720]

if men by nature understood all things—

if not, and that is usually the case,

when men speak well, it good to learn from them.

CHORUS LEADER

My lord, if what he’s said is relevant, 820

it seems appropriate to learn from him,

and you too, Haemon, listen to the king.

The things which you both said were excellent.

CREON

And men my age—are we then going to school

to learn what’s wise from men as young as him?

HAEMON

There’s nothing wrong in that. And if I’m young,

don’t think about my age—look at what I do.

CREON

And what you do—does that include this, [730]

honouring those who act against our laws?

HAEMON

I would not encourage anyone 830

to show respect to evil men.

CREON

And her—

is she not suffering from the same disease?

HAEMON

The people here in Thebes all say the same—

they deny she is.

CREON

So the city now

will instruct me how I am to govern?

HAEMON

Now you’re talking like someone far too young.

Don’t you see that?

CREON

Am I to rule this land

at someone else’s whim or by myself?

HAEMON

A city which belongs to just one man

is no true city.

CREON

According to our laws, 840

does not the ruler own the city?

HAEMON

By yourself you’d make an excellent king

but in a desert.

CREON

It seems as if this boy [740]

is fighting on the woman’s side.

HAEMON

That’s true—

if you’re the woman. I’m concerned for you.

CREON

You’re the worst there is—you set your judgment up

against your father.

HAEMON

No, not when I see

you making a mistake and being unjust.

CREON

Is it a mistake to honour my own rule?

HAEMON

You’re not honouring that by trampling on 850

the gods’ prerogatives.

CREON

You foul creature—

you’re worse than any woman.

HAEMON

You’ll not catch me

giving way to some disgrace.

CREON

But your words

all speak on her behalf.

HAEMON

And yours and mine—

and for the gods below.

CREON

You woman’s slave—

don’t try to win me over.

HAEMON

What do you want—

to speak and never hear someone reply?

CREON

You’ll never marry her while she’s alive. [750]

HAEMON

Then she’ll die—and in her death kill someone else.

CREON

Are you so insolent you threaten me? 860

HAEMON

Where’s the threat in challenging a bad decree?

CREON

You’ll regret parading what you think like this—

you—a person with an empty brain!

HAEMON

If you were not my father, I might say

you were not thinking straight.

CREON

Would you, indeed?

Well, then, by Olympus, I’ll have you know

you’ll be sorry for demeaning me

with all these insults.

[Creon turns to his attendants]

Go bring her out— [760]

that hateful creature, so she can die right here,

with him present, before her bridegroom’s eyes. 870

HAEMON

No. Don’t ever hope for that. She’ll not die

with me just standing there. And as for you—

your eyes will never see my face again.

So let your rage charge on among your friends

who want to stand by you in this.

[Exit Haemon, running back into the palace]

CHORUS LEADER

My lord, Haemon left in such a hurry.

He’s angry—in a young man at his age

the mind turns bitter when he’s feeling hurt.

CREON

Let him dream up or carry out great deeds

beyond the power of man, he’ll not save these girls— 880

their fate is sealed.

CHORUS LEADER

Are you going to kill them both? [770]

CREON

No—not the one whose hands are clean. You’re right.

CHORUS LEADER

How do you plan to kill Antigone?

CREON

I’ll take her on a path no people use,

and hide her in a cavern in the rocks,

while still alive. I’ll set out provisions,

as much as piety requires, to make sure

the city is not totally corrupted.

Then she can speak her prayers to Hades,

the only god she worships, for success 890

avoiding death—or else, at least, she’ll learn,

although too late, how it’s a waste of time

to work to honour those whom Hades holds. [780]

CHORUS

O Eros, the conqueror in every fight,

Eros, who squanders all men’s wealth,

who sleeps at night on girls’ soft cheeks,

and roams across the ocean seas

and through the shepherd’s hut—

no immortal god escapes from you,

nor any man, who lives but for a day. 900

And the one whom you possess goes mad. [790]

Even in good men you twist their minds,

perverting them to their own ruin.

You provoke these men to family strife.

The bride’s desire seen glittering in her eyes—

that conquers everything, its power

enthroned beside eternal laws, for there

the goddess Aphrodite works her will, [800]

whose ways are irresistible.

[Antigone enters from the palace with attendants who are taking her away to her execution]

Antigone's last words

CHORAL LEADER

When I look at her I forget my place. 910

I lose restraint and can’t hold back my tears—

Antigone going to her bridal room

where all are laid to rest in death.

ANTIGONE

Look at me, my native citizens,

as I go on my final journey,

as I gaze upon the sunlight one last time,

which I’ll never see again—for Hades,

who brings all people to their final sleep,

leads me on, while I’m still living, [810]

down to the shores of Acheron. 920

I’ve not yet had my bridal chant,

nor has any wedding song been sung—

for my marriage is to Acheron.

CHORUS

Surely you carry fame with you and praise,

as you move to the deep home of the dead.

You were not stricken by lethal disease

or paid your wages with a sword.` [820]

No. You were in charge of your own fate.

So of all living human beings, you alone

make your way down to Hades still alive. 930

ANTIGONE

I’ve heard about a guest of ours,

daughter of Tantalus, from Phrygia—

she went to an excruciating death

in Sipylus, right on the mountain peak.

The stone there, just like clinging ivy,

wore her down, and now, so people say,

the snow and rain never leave her there, [830]

as she laments. Below her weeping eyes

her neck is wet with tears. God brings me

to a final rest which most resembles hers. 940

CHORUS

But Niobe was a goddess, born divine—

and we are human beings, a race which dies.

But still, it’s a fine thing for a woman,

once she’s dead, to have it said she shared,

in life and death, the fate of demi-gods.

ANTIGONE

Oh, you are mocking me! Why me—

by our fathers’ gods—why do you all,

my own city and the richest men of Thebes,

insult me now right to my face,

without waiting for my death? 950

Well at least I have Dirce’s springs,

the holy grounds of Thebes,

a city full of splendid chariots,

to witness how no friends lament for me

as I move on—you see the laws

which lead me to my rock-bound prison,

a tomb made just for me. Alas!

In my wretchedness I have no home, [850]

not with human beings or corpses,

not with the living or the dead. 960

CHORUS

You pushed your daring to the limit, my child,

and tripped against Justice’s high altar—

perhaps your agonies are paying back

some compensation for your father.

ANTIGONE

Now there you touch on my most painful thought—

my father’s destiny—always on my mind,

along with that whole fate which sticks to us, [860]

the splendid house of Labdakos—the curse

arising from a mother’s marriage bed,

when she had sex with her own son, my father. 970

From what kind of parents was I born,

their wretched daughter? I go to them,

unmarried and accursed, an outcast.

Alas, too, for my brother Polyneices,

who made a fatal marriage and then died— [870]

and with that death killed me while still alive.

CHORUS

To be piously devout shows reverence,

but powerful men, who in their persons

incorporate authority, cannot bear

anyone to break their rules. Hence, you die 980

because of your own selfish will.

ANTIGONE

Without lament, without a friend,

and with no marriage song, I’m being led

in this miserable state, along my final road.

So wretched that I no longer have the right [880]

to look upon the sun, that sacred eye.

But my fate prompts no tears, and no friend mourns.

CREON

Don’t you know that no one faced with death

would ever stop the singing and the groans,

if that would help? Take her and shut her up, 990

as I have ordered, in her tomb’s embrace.

And get it done as quickly as you can.

Then leave her there alone, all by herself—

she can sort out whether she wants suicide

or remains alive, buried in a place like that.

As far as she’s concerned, we bear no guilt.

But she’s lost her place living here with us. [890]

ANTIGONE

Oh my tomb and bridal chamber—

my eternal hollow dwelling place,

where I go to join my people. Most of them 1000

have perished—Persephone has welcomed them

among the dead. I’m the last one, dying here

the most evil death by far, as I move down

before the time allotted for my life is done.

But I go nourishing the vital hope

my father will be pleased to see me come,

and you, too, my mother, will welcome me,

as well as you, my own dear brother.

When you died, with my own hands I washed you. [900]

I arranged your corpse and at the grave mound 1010

poured out libations. But now, Polyneices,

this is my reward for covering your corpse.

However, for wise people I was right

to honour you. I’d never have done it

for children of my own, not as their mother,

nor for a dead husband lying in decay—

no, not in defiance of the citizens.

What law do I appeal to, claiming this?

If my husband died, there’d be another one,

and if I were to lose a child of mine 1020

I’d have another with some other man. [910]

But since my father and my mother, too,

are hidden away in Hades’ house,

I’ll never have another living brother.

That was the law I used to honour you.

But Creon thought that I was in the wrong

and acting recklessly for you, my brother.

Now he seizes me by force and leads me here—

no wedding and no bridal song, no share

in married life or raising children. 1030

Instead I go in sorrow to my grave,

without my friends, to die while still alive. [920]

What holy justice have I violated?

In my wretchedness, why should I still look

up to the gods? Which one can I invoke

to bring me help, when for my reverence

they charge me with impiety? Well, then,

if this is something fine among the gods,

I’ll come to recognize that I’ve done wrong.

But if these people here are being unjust 1040

may they endure no greater punishment

than the injustices they’re doing to me.

CHORUS LEADER

The same storm blasts continue to attack

the mind in this young girl. [930]

CREON

Then those escorting her

will be sorry they’re so slow.

ANTIGONE

Alas, then,

those words mean death is very near at hand.

CREON

I won’t encourage you or cheer you up,

by saying the sentence won’t be carried out.

ANTIGONE

O city of my fathers

in this land of Thebes— 1050

and my ancestral gods,

I am being led away.

No more delaying for me.

Look on me, you lords of Thebes, [940]

the last survivor of your royal house,

see what I have to undergo,

the kind of men who do this to me,

for paying reverence to true piety.

[Antigone is led away under escort]

CHORUS

In her brass-bound room fair Danaë as well

endured her separation from the heaven’s light, 1060

a prisoner hidden in a chamber like a tomb,

although she, too, came from a noble line.

And she, my child, had in her care

the liquid streaming golden seed of Zeus. [950]

But the power of fate is full of mystery.

There’s no evading it, no, not with wealth,

or war, or walls, or black sea-beaten ships.

And the hot-tempered child of Dryas,

king of the Edonians, was put in prison,

closed up in the rocks by Dionysus, 1070

for his angry mocking of the god.

There the dreadful flower of his rage [960]

slowly withered, and he came to know

the god who in his frenzy he had mocked

with his own tongue. For he had tried

to hold in check women in that frenzy

inspired by the god, the Bacchanalian fire.

More than that—he’d made the Muses angry,

challenging the gods who love the flute.

Beside the black rocks where the twin seas meet, 1080

by Thracian Salmydessos at the Bosphorus,

close to the place where Ares dwells, [970]

the war god witnessed the unholy wounds

which blinded the two sons of Phineus,

inflicted by his savage wife—the sightless holes

cried out for someone to avenge those blows

made with her sharpened comb in blood-stained hands.

In their misery they wept, lamenting

their wretched suffering, sons of a mother

whose marriage had gone wrong. And yet, 1090 [980]

she was an offspring of an ancient family,

the race of Erechtheus, raised far away,

in caves surrounded by her father’s winds,

Boreas’ child, a girl who raced with horses

across steep hills—child of the gods.

But she, too, my child, suffered much

from the immortal Fates.

[Enter Teiresias, led by a young boy]

Teiresias

Lords of Thebes, we two have walked a common path,

one person’s vision serving both of us.

The blind require a guide to find their way. 1100 [990]

CREON

What news do you have, old Teiresias?

TEIRESIAS

I’ll tell you—and you obey the prophet.

CREON

I’ve not rejected your advice before.

TEIRESIAS

That’s the reason why you’ve steered the city

on its proper course.

CREON

From my experience

I can confirm the help you give.

TEIRESIAS

Then know this—

your luck is once more on Fate’s razor edge.

CREON

What? What you’ve just said makes me nervous.

TEIRESIAS

You’ll know—once you hear the tokens of my art.

As I was sitting in my ancient place 1110

receiving omens from the flights of birds

who all come there where I can hear them, [1000]

I note among those birds an unknown cry—

evil, unintelligible, angry screaming.

I knew that they were tearing at each other

with murderous claws. The noisy wings

revealed that all too well. I was afraid.

So right away up on the blazing altar

I set up burnt offerings. But Hephaestus

failed to shine out from the sacrifice— 1120

dark slime poured out onto the embers,

oozing from the thighs, which smoked and spat,

bile was sprayed high up into the air, [1010]

and the melting thighs lost all the fat

which they’d been wrapped in. The rites had failed—

there was no prophecy revealed in them.

I learned that from this boy, who is my guide,

as I guide other men. Our state is sick—

your policies have done this. In the city

our altars and our hearths have been defiled, 1130

all of them, with rotting flesh brought there

by birds and dogs from Oedipus’ son,

who lies there miserably dead. The gods

no longer will accept our sacrifice,

our prayers, our thigh bones burned in fire. [1020]

No bird will shriek out a clear sign to us,

for they have gorged themselves on fat and blood

from a man who’s dead. Consider this, my son.

All men make mistakes—that’s not uncommon.

But when they do, they’re no longer foolish 1140

or subject to bad luck if they try to fix

the evil into which they’ve fallen,

once they give up their intransigence.

Men who put their stubbornness on show

invite accusations of stupidity.

Make concessions to the dead—don’t ever stab

a man who’s just been killed. What’s the glory

in killing a dead person one more time? [1030]

I’ve been concerned for you. It’s good advice.

Learning can be pleasant when a man speaks well, 1150

especially when he seeks your benefit.

CREON

Old man, you’re all like archers shooting at me—

For you all I’ve now become your target—

even prophets have been aiming at me.

I’ve long been bought and sold as merchandise

among that tribe. Well, go make your profits.

If it’s what you want, then trade with Sardis

for their golden-silver alloy—or for gold

from India, but you’ll never hide that corpse

in any grave. Even if Zeus’ eagles 1160 [1040]

should choose to seize his festering body

and take it up, right to the throne of Zeus,

not even then would I, in trembling fear

of some defilement, permit that corpse

a burial. For I know well that no man

has the power to pollute the gods.

But, old Teiresias, among human beings

the wisest suffer a disgraceful fall

when, to promote themselves, they use fine words

to spread around abusive insults. 1170

TEIRESIAS

Alas, does any man know or think about . . .

CREON [interrupting]

Think what? What sort of pithy common thought

are you about to utter?

TEIRESIAS [ignoring the interruption]

. . . how good advice

is valuable—worth more than all possessions. [1050]

CREON

I think that’s true, as much as foolishness

is what harms us most.

TEIRESIAS

Yet that’s the sickness

now infecting you.

CREON

I have no desire

to denigrate a prophet when I speak.

TEIRESIAS

But that’s what you are doing, when you claim

my oracles are false.

CREON

The tribe of prophets— 1180

all of them—are fond of money

TEIRESIAS

And kings?

Their tribe loves to benefit dishonestly.

CREON

You know you’re speaking of the man who rules you.

TEIRESIAS

I know—thanks to me you saved the city

and now are in control.

CREON

You’re a wise prophet,

but you love doing wrong.

TEIRESIAS

You’ll force me

to speak of secrets locked inside my heart. [1060]

CREON

Do it—just don’t speak to benefit yourself.

TEIRESIAS

I don’t think that I’ll be doing that—

not as far as you’re concerned.

CREON

You can be sure 1190

you won’t change my mind to make yourself more rich.

TEIRESIAS

Then understand this well—you will not see

the sun race through its cycle many times

before you lose a child of your own loins,

a corpse in payment for these corpses.

You’ve thrown down to those below someone

from up above—in your arrogance

you’ve moved a living soul into a grave,

leaving here a body owned by gods below— [1070]

unburied, dispossessed, unsanctified. 1200

That’s no concern of yours or gods above.

In this you violate the ones below.

And so destroying avengers wait for you,

Furies of Hades and the gods, who’ll see

you caught up in this very wickedness.

Now see if I speak as someone who’s been bribed.

It won’t be long before in your own house

the men and women all cry out in sorrow,

and cities rise in hate against you—all those [1080]

whose mangled soldiers have had burial rites 1210

from dogs, wild animals, or flying birds

who carry the unholy stench back home,

to every city hearth. Like an archer,

I shoot these arrows now into your heart

because you have provoked me. I’m angry—

so my aim is good. You’ll not escape their pain.

Boy, lead us home so he can vent his rage

on younger men and keep a quieter tongue

and a more temperate mind than he has now. [1090]

[Exit Teiresias, led by the young boy]

CHORUS LEADER

My lord, my lord, such dreadful prophecies— 1220

and now he’s gone. Since my hair changed colour

from black to white, I know here in the city

he’s never uttered a false prophecy.

CREON

I know that, too—and it disturbs my mind.

It’s dreadful to give way, but to resist

and let destruction hammer down my spirit—

that’s a fearful option, too.

CHORUS LEADER

Son of Menoikeos,

you need to listen to some good advice.

CREON

Tell me what to do. Speak up. I’ll do it.

CHORUS LEADER

Go and release the girl from her rock tomb. 1230 [1100]

Then prepare a grave for that unburied corpse.

CREON

This is your advice? You think I should concede?

CHORUS LEADER

Yes, my lord, as fast as possible.

Swift footed injuries sent from the gods

hack down those who act imprudently.

CREON

Alas—it’s difficult. But I’ll give up.

I’ll not do what I’d set my heart upon.

It’s not right to fight against necessity.

CHORUS LEADER

Go now and get this done. Don’t give the work

to other men to do.

CREON

I’ll go just as I am. 1240

Come, you servants, each and every one of you.

Come on. Bring axes with you. Go there quickly—

up to the higher ground. I’ve changed my mind. [1110]

Since I’m the one who tied her up, I’ll go

and set her free myself. Now I’m afraid.

Until one dies the best thing well may be

to follow our established laws.

[Creon and his attendants hurry off stage]

CHORUS

O you with many names,

you glory of that Theban bride,

and child of thundering Zeus, 1250

you who cherish famous Italy,

and rule the welcoming valley lands

of Eleusianian Deo—

O Bacchus—you who dwell

in the bacchants’ mother city Thebes,

beside Ismenus’ flowing streams,

on land sown with the teeth

of that fierce dragon.

Above the double mountain peaks,

the torches flashing through the murky smoke 1260

have seen you where Corcyian nymphs

move on as they worship you

by the Kastalian stream. [1130]

And from the ivy-covered slopes

of Nysa’s hills, from the green shore

so rich in vines, you come to us,

visiting our Theban ways,

while deathless voices all cry out

in honour of your name, “Evoë.”

You honour Thebes, our city, 1270

above all others, you and your mother

blasted by that lightning strike.

And now when all our people here [1140]

are captive to a foul disease,

on your healing feet you come

across the moaning strait

or over the Parnassian hill.

You who lead the dance,

among the fire-breathing stars,

who guard the voices in the night, 1280

child born of Zeus, oh my lord, [1150]

appear with your attendant Thyiads,

who dance in frenzy all night long,

for you their patron, Iacchus.

[Enter a Messenger]

Messenger

All you here who live beside the home

of Amphion and Cadmus—in human life

there’s no set place which I would praise or blame.

The lucky and unlucky rise or fall

by chance day after day—and how these things

are fixed for men no one can prophesy. 1290 [1160]

For Creon, in my view, was once a man

we all looked up to. For he saved the state,

this land of Cadmus, from its enemies.

He took control and reigned as its sole king—

and prospered with the birth of noble children.

Now all is gone. For when a man has lost

what gives him pleasure, I don’t include him

among the living—he’s a breathing corpse.

Pile up a massive fortune in your home,

if that’s what you want—live like a king. 1300

If there’s no pleasure in it, I’d not give

to any man a vapour’s shadow for it, [1170]

not compared to human joy.

CHORUS LEADER

Have you come with news of some fresh trouble

in our house of kings?

MESSENGER

They’re dead—

and those alive bear the responsibility

for those who’ve died.

CHORUS LEADER

Who did the killing?

Who’s lying dead? Tell us.

MESSENGER

Haemon has been killed.

No stranger shed his blood.

CHORUS LEADER

At his father’s hand?

Or did he kill himself?

MESSENGER

By his own hand—

angry at his father for the murder. 1310

CHORUS LEADER

Teiresias, how your words have proven true!

MESSENGER

That’s how things stand. Consider what comes next.

CHORUS LEADER

I see Creon’s wife, poor Eurydice— [1180]

she’s coming from the house—either by chance,

or else she’s heard there’s news about her son.

[Enter Eurydice from the palace with some attendants]

Eurydice

Citizens of Thebes, I heard you talking,

as I was walking out, going off to pray,

to ask for help from goddess Pallas.

While I was unfastening the gate,

I heard someone speaking of bad news 1320

about my family. I was terrified.

I collapsed, fainting back into the arms

of my attendants. So tell the news again— [1190]

I’ll listen. I’m no stranger to misfortune.

MESSENGER

Dear lady, I’ll speak of what I saw,

omitting not one detail of the truth.

Why should I ease your mind with a report

which turns out later to be incorrect?

The truth is always best. I went to the plain,

accompanying your husband as his guide. 1330

Polyneices’ corpse, still unlamented,

was lying there, the greatest distance off,

torn apart by dogs. We prayed to Pluto

and to Hecate, goddess of the road,

for their good will and to restrain their rage. [1200]

We gave the corpse a ritual wash, and burned

what was left of it on fresh-cut branches.

We piled up a high tomb of his native earth.

Then we moved to the young girl’s rocky cave,

the hollow cavern of that bride of death. 1340

From far away one man heard a voice

coming from the chamber where we’d put her

without a funeral—a piercing cry.

He went to tell our master Creon,

who, as he approached the place, heard the sound,

an unintelligible scream of sorrow.

He groaned and then spoke out these bitter words, [1210]

“Has misery made me a prophet now?

And am I travelling along a road

that takes me to the worst of all disasters? 1350

I’ve just heard the voice of my own son.

You servants, go ahead—get up there fast.

Remove the stones piled in the entrance way,

then stand beside the tomb and look in there

to see if that was Haemon’s voice I heard,

or if the gods have been deceiving me.”

Following what our desperate master asked,

we looked. In the furthest corner of the tomb [1220]

we saw Antigone hanging by the neck,

held up in a noose—fine woven linen. 1360

Haemon had his arms around her waist—

he was embracing her and crying out

in sorrow for the loss of his own bride,

now among the dead, his father’s work,

and for his horrifying marriage bed.

Creon saw him, let out a fearful groan,

then went inside and called out anxiously,

“You unhappy boy, what have you done?

What are you thinking? Have you lost your mind?

Come out, my child—I’m begging you—please come.” 137o [1230]

But the boy just stared at him with savage eyes,

spat in his face and, without saying a word,

drew his two-edged sword. Creon moved away,

so the boy’s blow failed to strike his father.

Angry at himself, the ill-fated lad

right then and there leaned into his own sword,

driving half the blade between his ribs.

While still conscious he embraced the girl

in his weak arms, and, as he breathed his last,

he coughed up streams of blood on her fair cheek. 1380

Now he lies there, corpse on corpse, his marriage [1240]

has been fulfilled in chambers of the dead.

The unfortunate boy has shown all men

how, of all the evils which afflict mankind,

the most disastrous one is thoughtlessness.

[Eurydice turns and slowly returns into the palace]

CHORUS LEADER

What do you make of that? The queen’s gone back.

She left without a word, good or bad.

MESSENGER

I’m surprised myself. It’s about her son—

she heard that terrible report. I hope

she’s gone because she doesn’t think it right 1390

to mourn for him in public. In the home,

surrounded by her servants, she’ll arrange

a period of mourning for the house.

She’s discreet and has experience—

she won’t make mistakes. [1250]

CHORUS LEADER

I’m not sure of that.

to me her staying silent was extreme—

it seems to point to something ominous,

just like a vain excess of grief.

MESSENGER

I’ll go in.

We’ll find out if she’s hiding something secret,

deep within her passionate heart. You’re right— 1400

excessive silence can be dangerous.

[The Messenger goes up the stairs into the palace. Enter Creon from the side, with attendants.

Creon is holding the body of Haemon]

Creon's final words

CHORUS LEADER

Here comes the king in person—carrying

in his arms, if it’s right to speak of this,

a clear reminder that this evil comes

not from some stranger, but his own mistakes. [1260]

CREON

Aaiii—mistakes made by a foolish mind,

cruel mistakes that bring on death.

You see us here, all in one family—

the killer and the killed.

Oh the profanity of what I planned. 1410

Alas, my son, you died so young—

a death before your time.

Aaiii . . . aaiii . . . you’re dead . . . gone—

not your own foolishness but mine.

CHORUS LEADER

Alas, it seems you’ve learned to see what’s right—

but far too late. [1270]

CREON

Aaiiii . . . I’ve learned it in my pain.

Some god clutching a great weight struck my head,

then hurled me onto paths in wilderness,

throwing down and casting underfoot

what brought me joy. 1420

So sad . . . so sad . . .

the wretched agony of human life.

[The Messenger reappears from the palace]

MESSENGER

My lord, you come like one who stores up evil,

what you hold in your arms and what you’ll see

before too long inside the house. [1280]

CREON

What’s that?

Is there something still more evil than all this?

MESSENGER

Your wife is dead—blood mother of that corpse—

slaughtered with a sword—her wounds are very new,

poor lady.

CREON

Aaiiii . . . . a gathering place for death . . .

no sacrifice can bring this to an end. 1430

Why are you destroying me? You there—

you bringer of this dreadful news, this agony,

what are you saying now? Aaiii . . .

You kill a man then kill him once again.

What are you saying, boy? What news?

A slaughter heaped on slaughter— [1290]

my wife, alas . . . she’s dead?

MESSENGER [opening the palace doors, revealing the body of Eurydice]

Look here. No longer is she concealed inside.

CREON

Alas, how miserable I feel—to look upon

this second horror. What remains for me,

what’s fate still got in store? I’ve just held 1440

my own son in my arms, and now I see

right here in front of me another corpse.

Alas for this suffering mother. [1300]

Alas, my son.

MESSENGER

Stabbed with a sharp sword at the altar,

she let her darkening eyesight fail,

once she had cried out in sorrow

for the glorious fate of Megareos,

who died some time ago, and then again

for Haemon, and then, with her last breath, 1450

she called out evil things against you,

the killer of your sons.

CREON

Aaaii . . . My fear now makes me tremble.

Why won’t someone now strike out at me,

pierce my heart with a double bladed sword?

How miserable I am . . . aaiii . . . [1310]

how full of misery and pain . . .

MESSENGER

By this woman who lies dead you stand charged

with the deaths of both your sons.

CREON

What about her?

How did she die so violently?

MESSENGER

She killed herself, 1460

with her own hands she stabbed her belly,

once she heard her son’s unhappy fate.

CREON

Alas for me . . . the guilt for all of this is mine—

it can never be removed from me or passed

to any other mortal man. I, and I alone . . .

I murdered you . . . I speak the truth.

Servants—hurry and lead me off, [1320]

get me away from here, for now

what I am in life is nothing.

CHORUS LEADER

What you advise is good—if good can come 1470

with all these evils. When we face such things

the less we say the better.

CREON

Let that day come, O let it come,

the fairest of all destinies for me,

the one which brings on my last day. [1330]

Oh, let it come, so that I never see

another dawn.

CHORUS LEADER

That’s something for the times ahead.

Now we need to deal with what confronts us here.

What’s yet to come is the concern of those 1480

whose task it is to deal with it.

CREON

In that prayer

I included everything I most desire.

CHORUS

Pray for nothing.

There’s no release for mortal human beings,

not from events which destiny has set.

CREON

Then take this foolish man away from here.

I killed you, my son, without intending to, [1340]

and you, as well, my wife. How useless I am now.

I don’t know where to look or find support.

Everything I touch goes wrong, and on my head

fate climbs up with its overwhelming load. 1490

[The Attendants help Creon move up the stairs into the palace, taking Haemon’s body with them]

CHORUS

The most important part of true success

is wisdom—not to act impiously

towards the gods, for boasts of arrogant men [1350]

bring on great blows of punishment—

so in old age men can discover wisdom.

Notes

• Dirce is one of the rivers beside Thebes.

• Hephaistos is god of fire.

• Laius was king of Thebes and father of Oedipus. Oedipus killed him (not knowing who he was) and became the next king of Thebes by saving the city from the devastation of the Sphinx.

• Zeus Herkeios refers to Zeus of the Courtyard, a patron god of worship within the home.

• Hades, a brother of Zeus, is god of the underworld, lord of the dead.

• Labdakos is the father of Laius and hence grandfather of Oedipus and great-grandfather of Antigone and Ismene.

• Olympus is a mountain in northern Greece where, according to tradition, the major gods live.

• The killing of a family member could bring on divine punishment in the form of a pollution involving the entire city (as in the case of Oedipus). Creon is, one assumes, taking refuge in the notion that he will not be executing Antigone directly.

• Eros is the young god of erotic sexual passion.

• Aphrodite was the goddess of sexual desire.

• Acheron is one of the major rivers of the underworld.

• These two speeches refer to Niobe, daughter of Tantalus (a son of Zeus). Niobe had seven sons and seven daughters and boasted that she had more children than the goddess Leto. As punishment Artemis and Apollo, Leto’s two children, destroyed all Niobe’s children. Niobe turned to stone in grief and was reportedly visible on Mount Sipylus (in Asia Minor). The Chorus’ claim that Niobe was a goddess or semi-divine is odd here, since her story is almost always a tale of human presumption and divine punishment for human arrogance.

• The Chorus here is offering the traditional suggestion that present afflictions can arise from a family curse originating in previous generations.

• Polyneices married the daughter of Adrastus, an action which enabled him to acquire the army to attack Thebes.

• Creon’s logic seems to suggest that because he is not executing Antigone directly and is leaving her a choice between committing suicide and slowly starving to death in the cave, he has no moral responsibility for what happens.

• Persephone is the wife of Hades and thus goddess of the underworld.

• In these lines Antigone seems to be talking about both her brothers, first claiming she washed and dressed the body of Eteocles and then covered Polyneices. However, the pronoun references in the Greek are confusing. Lines 904 to 920 in the Greek text have prompted a great deal of critical debate, since they seem incompatible with Antigone’s earlier motivation and do not make much sense in context (in addition most of them appear closely derived from Herodotus 3.119). Hence, some editors insist that the lines (or most of them) be removed. Brown provides a useful short summary of the arguments and some editorial options (199-200).

• Danaë was daughter of Acrisus, King of Argos. Because of a prophecy that he would be killed by a son born to Danaë, Acrisus imprisoned her. But Zeus made love to her in the form of a golden shower, and she gave birth to Perseus, who, once grown, killed Acrisus accidentally.

• These lines refer to Lycurgus son of Dryas, a Thracian king. He attacked the god Dionysus and was punished with blinding or with being torn apart.

• The anger of the Muses at a Thracian who boasted of his flute playing is not normally a part of the Lycurgus story but refers to another Thracian, Thamyras.

• The black rocks were a famous hazard to shipping. They moved together to smash any ship moving between them. The Bosphorus is the strait between the Black Sea and thePropontis (near the Hellespont).This verse and the next refer to the Thracian king Phineas, whose second wife blinded her two step sons (from Phineas’ first wife Cleopatra) by stabbing out their eyes.

• Cleopatra was the grand-daughter of Erechtheus, king of Athens. Boreas, father of Erechtheus, was god of the North Wind.

• Teiresias’ offering failed to catch fire. His interpretation is that it has been rejected by the gods, a very unfavourable omen.

• This is the second reference to the fact that at some point earlier Teiresias has given important political help to Creon. It is not at all clear what this refers to.

• Teiresias here is apparently accusing Creon of refusing burial to the dead allied soldiers Polyneices brought with him from other cities. There is no mention of this anywhere else in the play, although the detail is present in other versions of the story.

• In these lines the Chorus celebrates Dionysus, the god born in Thebes to Semele, daughter of King Cadmus. The bacchants are those who worship Dionysus. Eleusis, a region on the coast near Athens, was famous for the its Eleusinian Mysteries, a secret ritual of worship. Deo is a reference to the goddess Demeter, who was worshipped at Eleusis. The Theban race sprang up from dragon’s teeth sown in a field by Cadmus, founder of the city.

• Evoë is a cry of celebration made by worshippers of Dionysus.

• Semele, Dionysus’ human mother, was destroyed by Zeus lightning bolt, because of the jealousy of Hera, Zeus’ wife.

• Thyiads were worshippers of Dionysus, and Iacchus was a divinity associated with Dionysus.

• Amphion was legendary king of Thebes, husband of Niobe.

• Megareos was Haemon’s brother, who, we are to understand on the basis of this reference, died nobly some time before the play begins. It is not clear how Creon might have been responsible for his death. In another version of the story, Creon has a son Menoeceos, who kills himself in order to save the city.