Sophocles The Theban Plays Oedipus the King Oedipus at Colonus Antigone Translated, with Notes and an Introduction by Ruth Fainlight and Robert J. Littman The Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore Antigone ∞≥∫ THE THEBAN PLAYS Cast of Characters in Order of Appearance Antigone, daughter and incestuous half-sister of Oedipus Ismene, daughter and incestuous half-sister of Oedipus Chorus of fifteen Theban elders Creon, king of Thebes, uncle and guardian of Antigone and Ismene Guard Haemon, son of Creon, cousin and fiancé of Antigone Teiresias, a blind prophet Messenger, a servant of Creon Eurydice, wife of Creon, mother of Haemon Nonspeaking Parts Guards and Attendants Young Boy who leads Teiresias ANTIGONE ∞≥Ω Scene: In front of the royal palace of Thebes. Double doors on the stage are the entrance to the palace. One entrance, on the left side of the stage, represents the road to the site of the battle outside the city, and to Polyneices’ body. The entrance on the right side of the stage is the direction of the city of Thebes. Time: The day after the end of the civil war between Eteocles and Polyneices, Oedipus’ two sons. Polyneices had led a foreign force from the city of Argos to attack Thebes. The attackers were defeated, and in the fighting the brothers killed each other. (Enter Antigone, followed by Ismene, from the double doors of the palace.) Antigone Ismene my true sister, born from the same mother, is there any torment Oedipus su√ered which Zeus will not impose on us? There is nothing—neither grief nor violence, shame nor dishonor—no evil 5 you and I have not endured already. And what is this new edict the general has decreed to every citizen? Do you know about it—or haven’t you noticed that the fate of enemies is now to be imposed on our friends? 10 Ismene I have heard nothing about friends, Antigone, neither good nor bad news since in one day we two were robbed of two brothers, both dying together, by each other’s hand. And since the Argive army withdrew— 15 only last night—I do not even know if my future is fortunate or doomed. Antigone That’s what I thought—that’s why I brought you outside the courtyard gates, so no one else will hear. Ismene Hear what? I can see you are deeply troubled. 20 ∞∂≠ THE THEBAN PLAYS Antigone That there will be no tomb—our brothers— Creon ordains—the thought drives me mad!— honor for one, dishonor for the other. Eteocles, so they say, he has treated with justice and customary law, laid him in earth, to be honored by the dead below. 25 As for the battered corpse of Polyneices— they say it is proclaimed to all the city— no one is allowed to mourn or entomb, but must leave it unburied and unwept, like carrion, sweet pickings for the birds’ pleasure. 30 Rumor says that this is what the noble Creon decrees even for you and me—even for me!— and he is coming to make it absolutely clear to everyone that he does not view the matter lightly, but for whoever does these things, 35 death by public stoning is the punishment. This is how it stands, and you soon must show if you are noble in yourself, or base—though noble born. Ismene What can I do, my poor sister, to ease the knot of your tormented thoughts? 40 Antigone Decide if you will share the labor and do it with me. Ismene What labor? What do you plan to do? Antigone Will your hands help mine to raise the body? Ismene Is that what you intend—to bury him—even though it is forbidden? Antigone Indeed I do—he is still my brother—and yours, 45 whatever you might prefer. I will not betray my duty to him. ANTIGONE ∞∂∞ Ismene O willful one—to go against Creon’s command! Antigone He has no right to keep me from my own. Ismene No, sister—stop and consider how our father died hated and despised 50 because of sins he himself exposed, how he blinded himself, crushing his own eyeballs and how our mother—his mother/wife, that dreadful double word— ended her life with a plaited rope; and thirdly, how our two brothers, in one day 55 slaughtered each other—their wretched fate to end their lives at each other’s hand. Now we two alone remain—and think how even worse our fates would be if, in defiance of law, we disobey the decree of powerful rulers. 60 Do not forget that we are women— it is not in our nature to oppose men but to be ruled by their power. We must submit, whatever they order, no matter how awful. I shall implore those beneath the earth to understand 65 that I am forced to do these things, and pardon me. I must obey the reigning power. It would be mad not to do so. Antigone Nor would I try to persuade you—nor welcome your help later, if you should change your mind. 70 Do what seems best for you. I will bury him. It will be a noble act, even if it leads to my death. Loving and loved, I shall lie with him— a pious criminal. There will be more time for me to lie among those in the world below 75 than the longest life allows. But do as you please— though dishonoring what the gods honor. ∞∂≤ THE THEBAN PLAYS Ismene I do not wish to dishonor him, but it is against my nature to defy the city’s will. Antigone Whatever you say, 80 I shall build a tomb for my beloved brother. Ismene You go too far, I fear for you. Antigone Don’t worry about me—put your own fate right. Ismene At least don’t tell anyone what you intend but keep silent—and I will do the same. 85 Antigone No—tell everyone. I insist. You will be more hated for silence than if you shout it from the city walls. Ismene You burn for deeds that chill my blood. Antigone I know they will please the ones I most want to please. Ismene If you succeed. But you crave the impossible. 90 Antigone When I have no more strength, only then I’ll stop. Ismene In any case, it is not right to chase the impossible. Antigone I’ll hate you if you say such things— and the dead also will hate you, and with justice. But whatever end comes from my rash act 95 ANTIGONE ∞∂≥ or bad advice, could not be worse for me than to die without honor. Ismene If that is what you want, then go ahead. And always know, in spite of your foolishness, that your dearest friends dearly love you. (Exit Antigone to the left toward the outskirts of the city and Polyneices’ body. Ismene exits into the palace.) (Enter Chorus of fifteen Theban elders from stage right.) Parodos Chorus Strophe A (100–116) Sun’s first rays, light more beautiful than ever shone on seven-gated Thebes, you shine at last, eye of golden day, gilding Dirce’s lapping stream— and goading with the sharpest spur the armored and white-shielded Argive warrior to frantic retreat. Maddened by Polyneices’ two-edged arguments, fraternal quarrels, they attacked our land like shrieking eagles with snow-white pinions weapons fierce as talons and helmet crested with bristling plumes. Antistrophe A (117–26) Over our halls they swooped with ravening beaks, over the seven gates, with slashing spears. But we turned them back before they were glutted with our blood or Hephaestus’ pine-fed fire could crown our towers. Such a din of war surged behind— but they did not conquer the Dragon’s seed. 127–33 Zeus hates the blather of a boastful tongue; seeing them surge forward like a flood ∞∂∂ THE THEBAN PLAYS with their arrogance and clanging gold, he hurled a thunderbolt at one— already rushing to the highest tower to give a victory shout— Strophe B (134–47) who staggered, almost fell on the hard ground then righted himself, still clutching the torch, like a frenzied ecstatic of Bacchus with a whirlwind’s force; but his threats were empty against our strongest ally and leading trace-horse, the great War god, who smote them all— to each a di√erent death. The seven captains of the seven gates and their seven matched contenders o√ered bronze trophies to Zeus; but not those two—accursed sons of one father and one mother, spears set against each other, javelin heads of equal power; they fought to the death. Antistrophe B (148–61) Now smiling, glorious Victory arrives to rejoice with all of Thebes, whose chariots lead the others. We can forget the war and celebrate through the night at all the temples, earth-shaker Bacchus leading our dance. See, the new king comes, Creon, son of Menoeceus, a new king to bring the gods’ new fortune. What plan will he launch, that he has called this assembly of elders to hear, summoning us by general decree? (Enter Creon from the direction of the battlefield, stage left, with Attendants.) Creon Honored men! The gods have put us back on course, after the great storm that almost wrecked the city. ANTIGONE ∞∂∑ I have summoned you here, apart from the others, knowing how loyally 165 you acknowledged the kingship of Laius, and of Oedipus, when he came to rescue the city and later, after his death, stayed faithful to his children. Now those two are gone in one day— 170 a double doom, killed by each other’s polluted hand— being of the same race and family, the power and the throne become mine. It is impossible to know a man, his character and mind, until 175 he proves himself in action, through rule and customary law. I say that whoever governs the city and does not accept the best advice but keeps silent through fear 180 will always be unworthy— and if he favors friends over his own country, is utterly worthless. I would never keep silent if I saw danger approaching the people— and Zeus, who sees everything, knows this— 185 nor ever make a friend or ally of any man who threatened the straight course or the safety of our ship of state. 190 My laws will make the city great, and now, in accord with them, I proclaim to every citizen my edict concerning the children of Oedipus. Eteocles, though the best of our spearsmen, perished fighting for his city. 195 Him we shall bury with every ceremony and libation for the honored dead. That other of the same blood—I mean Polyneices, who came out of exile, back to his fatherland and gods, with a sacrilegious lust to burn 200