This is a play by Sophocles. It is in GB Volume 5. My newsletter post is here.
Notes
Page 1: Lines 1 - 85:
The play starts with Antigone talking to her sister Ismene alone. She says no one has had so much ruin, shame, and dishonor like them. She asks if Ismene has heard about the new edict from Creon, their uncle and the king of Thebes. Ismene is unaware of any news after their brothers died fighting each other, and the Argives who supported Polyneices fled. Antigone reveals that Creon has decreed that Eteocles will receive an honorable burial, while Polyneices will be left unwept, untombed, and as a welcome store for the birds to feast on at will. Antigone is outraged by this and resolves to bury Polyneices, saying she’d rather die doing what’s right. She asks for her sister’s help, but Ismene says that they should not defy the law or fight with men. Antigone decides to go forward without Ismene’s help.
Ismene: “Nay, we must remember, first, that we were born women, as who should not strive with men;”
Page 2: Lines 86 - 210:
Antigone criticizes Ismene’s silence and refusal to help and says she is determined to honor their brother, even if it means her death. Ismene says her errand is foolish but she still loves her. The Chorus welcomes the dawn and recounts how Zeus helped defeat the enemy army, their seven warriors and their boastful leader. Creon enters and says how he has come to power since he is the nearest kin to the dead king and his sons. He says his only goal, with Zeus as his witness, is to ensure the safety and welfare of his citizens. He says that he will always honor those loyal to Thebes and punish its enemies. Since Polyneices sought to destroy Thebes, set fire to the land and enslave people, he will be left unburied as a traitor.
Creon: “No man can be fully known, in soul and spirit and mind, until he hath been seen versed in rule and lawgiving.”
Page 3: Lines 211 - 325:
As Creon is talking to the Chorus, a guard approaches and says someone has performed burial rites for Polyneices’ body. He says there is dust covering the corpse, and no one knows who did it. The guards even argued among themselves accusing each other of helping someone with the burial. Creon is upset and angry that someone has defied him and demands that the offender be found.
Creon: “Nothing so evil as money ever grew to be current among men. This lays cities low, this drives men from their homes, this trains and warps honest souls till they set themselves to works of shame;”
Page 4: Lines 325 - 448:
The guard exits, and the Chorus sings the praise of humanity - saying humans have tamed everything on earth, learned things on their own, and found solutions to all things except death. The guard returns with Antigone as a prisoner. Creon comes in, and the guard tells him that they saw Antigone performing burial rites for the corpse when the dust storm cleared. Creon asks Antigone if she knew about his edict forbidding the burial. She says yes, it was public, everyone knew.
Chorus: “Wonders are many, and none is more wonderful than man; the power that crosses the white sea, driven by the stormy south-wind, making a path under surges that threaten to engulf him.”
Page 5: Lines 449 - 551:
Antigone says Creon’s edict doesn’t override divine laws that are eternal. Creon sees Antigone as insolent and stubborn and declares that she should be punished regardless of her being his niece. Ismene arrives, crying. Creon accuses her of being involved in the burial as well. She says yes and wants to share the blame with her sister. Antigone refuses, saying only Hades and the dead were witnesses, and Ismene has no share in it.
Antigone: “For their life is not of today or yesterday, but from all time, and no man knows when they were first put forth.”
Page 6: Lines 552 - 669:
Ismene again asks her sister how she could help, and Antigone says she alone must bear the consequences of the actions. Creon dismisses both of them as foolish. Ismene reminds Creon that Antigone is betrothed to his son, Haemon and if he would still slay her. Creon says his son can find another wife than Antigone. Haemon enters and says that he looks up to his father’s guidance for everything, including marriage. Creon talks about the importance of obedience to paternal and state authority. He asks him to let Antigone go to find a husband in the house of Hades (death). He plans to slay her for her open disobedience.
Chorus: “Blest are they whose days have not tasted of evil. For when a house hath once been shaken from heaven, there the curse fails nevermore, passing from life to life of the race;”
Page 7: Lines 669 - 776:
Creon talks about the importance of obedience and order in society, saying that disobedience is the worst of evils, ruining cities and homes. Haemon tries to reason with his father saying he is wise but should also be flexible and open to other perspectives. He says the citizens of Thebes sympathize with Antigone. He talks about the value of adaptability citing examples of trees bending in a storm and sailors adjusting their sails. But Creon doesn’t see Haemon’s viewpoint and an argument ensues. Creon accuses his son of siding with a woman. Haemon accuses his father of disrespecting the gods. Creon orders Antigone to be brought for execution. Haemon leaves in anger, declaring he won’t see his father again. Instead of executing, Creon decides to entomb Antigone in a cave with minimal food so that the city may avoid public stain.
Creon: “But disobedience is the worst of evils. This it is that ruins cities; this makes homes desolate; by this, the ranks of allies are broken into headlong rout;”
Page 8: Lines 776 - 916:
The Chorus describes love as an unconquerable force that affects all beings and says love makes people mad. Antigone mourns her fate as she’s led to her death. She addresses her hometown and its landmarks. She reflects on her family’s tragic history, justifies her actions in burying her brother and looks forward to joining her family in the afterlife. Creon comes in and orders an end to the lamentations, and get started with the entombment.
Chorus: “Love, unconquered in the fight, Love, who makest havoc of wealth, who keepest thy vigil on the soft cheek of a maiden; thou roamest over the sea, and among the homes of dwellers in the wilds; no immortal can escape thee, nor any among men whose life is for a day; and he to whom thou hast come is mad.”
Page 9: Lines 916 - 1037:
Antigone, now sad that she is going to die, wonders if she has truly sinned against the gods. She says it would be wrongful if the gods were to judge against her. The blind prophet Teiresias arrives and tells Creon that he has seen disturbing omens, saying that gods are displeased and no longer accept the city’s prayers or sacrifices. He warns Creon against stubbornness and pride and urges him to allow Polyneices to be buried. Creon gets upset and accuses Teiresias of being corrupt.
Chorus: “But dreadful is the mysterious power of fate; there is no deliverance from it by wealth or by war, by fenced city, or dark, sea-beaten ships.”
Page 10: Lines 1037 - 1157:
Since Creon refuses to listen to his advice, Teiresias warns that he will be punished, that the Furies will bring destruction, that Creon might lose a child, and that other cities will turn against Thebes. The Chorus urges Creon to heed Teiresias’s warnings. Creon finally relents and agrees to free Antigone and bury Polyneices himself. The Chorus prays for deliverance from the current crisis.
Creon: “My heart misgives me, ‘tis best to keep the established laws, even to life’s end.”
Page 11: Lines 1157 - 1267:
A messenger comes in and announces that Haemon has killed himself. Eurydice, Creon’s wife enters and asks for details. The messenger says when Creon went to bury Polyneices, they heard a wailing from Antigone’s tomb. They rush towards the tomb to find that Antigone has hanged herself and Haemon embracing her body. When Haemon sees his father, he blames him for his fiancé’s death and kills himself. Eurydice, shaken by the news, leaves silently. Creon enters, carrying Haemon’s body, and laments his own actions.
Messenger: “Fortune raises and Fortune humbles the lucky or unlucky from day to day, and no one can prophesy to men concerning those things which are established.”
Page 12: Lines 1268 - 1353:
Creon mourns his son Haemon’s death, acknowledging his own fault saying he has learned his lesson too late. A messenger arrives and says Eurydice has killed herself after learning of Haemon’s death. Creon is further saddened and blames himself for the loss of both his wife and son. He wishes for his own death. The Chorus emphasizes the importance of wisdom and reverence for the gods.
Chorus: “Wisdom is the supreme part of happiness; and reverence towards the gods must be inviolate.”