Antigone (Full Play)
ANTIGONE by Sophocles
(c. 496-406 B.C.) translated by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald
ANTIGONE by Sophocles
Characters
Antigone, daughter of Oedipus
Ismene, daughter of Oedipus
Eurydice, wife of Creon
Creon, King of Thebes
Haimon, son of Creon
Teiresias, A blind seer Sentry
Messenger
Priest (Choragos)
Chorus
Scene: Before the palace of Creon, King of Thebes. A central double door, and two lateral doors.
A platform extends the length of the façade, and from this platform three steps lead down into the orchestra, or dancing place. Or, simply, in front of the palace at Thebes.
Time: Dawn of the day after the repulse of the Argive army from the assault on Thebes.
Prologue
[Antigone and Ismene enter.]
ANTIGONE
Isemene, dear sister, You would think that we had already suffered enough for the curse on our father, Oedipus.I cannot imagine any grief that you and I have not gone through. And now—have they told you of the new decree of our uncle, King Creon?
ISMENE
I have heard nothing: I know that two sisters lost two brothers, a double death In a single hour; and I know that the Argive army fled in the night; but beyond this, nothing.
ANTIGONE
I thought so. And that is why I wanted you to come out here with me. This is something we must do.
ISMENE
Why do you speak so strangely?
ANTIGONE
Listen, Ismene: Creon buried our brother, Eteocles, with military honors, gave him a soldier's funeral, and it was right that he should--but Polyneices, who fought as bravely and died as miserably—they say that Creon has sworn no one shall bury him, no one mourn for him, but his body must lie in the fields, a sweet treasure for carrion birds to find as they search for food. That is what they say, and our good Creon is coming here to announce it publicly; and the penalty--stoning to death in the public square! There it is, and now you can prove what you are: a true sister, or a traitor to your family.
ISMENE
Antigone, you are mad! What
(c. 496-406 B.C.) translated by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald
ANTIGONE by Sophocles
Characters
Antigone, daughter of Oedipus
Ismene, daughter of Oedipus
Eurydice, wife of Creon
Creon, King of Thebes
Haimon, son of Creon
Teiresias, A blind seer Sentry
Messenger
Priest (Choragos)
Chorus
Scene: Before the palace of Creon, King of Thebes. A central double door, and two lateral doors.
A platform extends the length of the façade, and from this platform three steps lead down into the orchestra, or dancing place. Or, simply, in front of the palace at Thebes.
Time: Dawn of the day after the repulse of the Argive army from the assault on Thebes.
Prologue
[Antigone and Ismene enter.]
ANTIGONE
Isemene, dear sister, You would think that we had already suffered enough for the curse on our father, Oedipus.I cannot imagine any grief that you and I have not gone through. And now—have they told you of the new decree of our uncle, King Creon?
ISMENE
I have heard nothing: I know that two sisters lost two brothers, a double death In a single hour; and I know that the Argive army fled in the night; but beyond this, nothing.
ANTIGONE
I thought so. And that is why I wanted you to come out here with me. This is something we must do.
ISMENE
Why do you speak so strangely?
ANTIGONE
Listen, Ismene: Creon buried our brother, Eteocles, with military honors, gave him a soldier's funeral, and it was right that he should--but Polyneices, who fought as bravely and died as miserably—they say that Creon has sworn no one shall bury him, no one mourn for him, but his body must lie in the fields, a sweet treasure for carrion birds to find as they search for food. That is what they say, and our good Creon is coming here to announce it publicly; and the penalty--stoning to death in the public square! There it is, and now you can prove what you are: a true sister, or a traitor to your family.
ISMENE
Antigone, you are mad! What