Antigone

The Persons:

ANTIGONE} Daughters of Oedipus and Sisters of Polynices

ISMENE} and Eteocles

CHORUS of Theban Elders

CREON, King of Thebes

A Watchman

HAEMON, Son of Creon, betrothed to ANTIGONE

TIRESIAS, the blind Prophet

A Messenger

EURYDICE, the Wife of CREON

Another Messenger.

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SCENE. Before the Cadmean Palace at Thebes.

Note: The town of Thebes is often personified as Thebe.

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Polynices, son and heir to the unfortunate Oedipus, having been supplanted by his younger brother Eteocles, brought an army of Argives against his native city, Thebes. The army was defeated, and the two brothers slew each other in single combat. On this Creon, the brother- in-law of Oedipus, succeeding to the chief power, forbade the burial of Polynices. But Antigone, sister of the dead, placing the dues of affection and piety before her obligation to the magistrate, disobeyed the edict at the sacrifice of her life. Creon carried out his will, but lost his son Haemon and his wife Eurydice, and received their curses on his head. His other son, Megareus, had previously been devoted as a victim to the good of the state.

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ANTIGONE and ISMENE

ANTIGONE: Own sister of my blood, one life with me, Ismene, have the tidings caught thine ear? Say, hath not Heaven decreed to execute On thee and me, while yet we are alive, All the evil Oedipus bequeathed? All horror, All pain, all outrage, falls on us! And now The General's proclamation of to-day-- Hast thou not heard?--Art thou so slow to hear When harm from foes threatens the souls we love?

ISMENE: No word of those we love, Antigone, Painful or glad, hath reached me, since we two Were utterly deprived of our two brothers, Cut off with mutual stroke, both in one day. And since the Argive host this now-past night Is vanished, I know nought beside to make me Nearer to happiness or more in woe.

ANT: I knew it well, and therefore led thee forth The palace gate, that thou alone mightst hear.

ISM: Speak on! Thy troubled look bodes some dark news.

ANT: Why, hath not Creon, in the burial-rite, Of our two brethren honoured one, and wrought On one foul wrong? Eteocles, they tell, With lawful consecration he lays out, And after covers him in earth, adorned With amplest honours in the world below. But Polynices, miserably slain, They say 'tis publicly proclaimed that none Must cover in a grave, nor mourn for him; But leave him tombless and unwept, a store Of sweet provision for the carrion fowl That eye him greedily. Such righteous law Good Creon hath pronounced for thy behoof-- Ay, and for mine! I am not left out!--And now He moves this way to promulgate his will To such as have not heard, nor lightly holds The thing he bids, but, whoso disobeys, The citizens shall stone him to the death. This is the matter, and thou wilt