ANTIGONE

 

Tragedy in one act

 

CAST

Antigone and Ismene, daughters of Oedipus and sisters of Polynices and Eteocles.
Creon, master of Thebes.
Chorus.
Choryphaeus.

Thebes.

 

 

 

Antigone - You cannot promise me death, Creon; you do not know what it is.

Creon - You will live no longer, Antigone.

Antigone - For you, I will live no longer. Your power will stop there. I will no longer be here to help you.

Creon - I do not need your help. How can you help me?

Antigone - By being the one who stands up to you. Without me, you will no longer be able to give orders.

Creon - All Thebes will be there.

Antigone - Thebes is already yours.

Creon - Because that is my will.

Antigone - Because for the Thebans it is enough just to live.



Chorus:

Beware, Antigone,
You reveal your self.
You will soon no longer be
One of the invisible bodies
That make up the crowd.
Fear to be seen;
For then you will be defenceless.

Choryphaeus:

You will be alone;
No-one will help you.



Ismene - On pain of death, Creon has forbidden the burial of our brother Polynices, who had laid siege to Thebes. What do you hope to achieve by covering Polynices with earth despite that ban?

Antigone - To be true to my brother by doing what the laws of the gods require.

Ismene - Is your will to please the gods or Polynices?

Antigone - I do not know.

Ismene - How can you seek to be true without knowing the reason?

Antigone - Being true does not have its source in my reason; it is part of my self.



Chorus:

It is not you who chose Polynices
To be your brother.



Coryphaeus:

You do not have to be true to him.



Ismene - Reason is what makes Thebes strong.

Antigone - That strength is nothing before the gods.

Ismene - What would you do for Polynices if the gods gave you no orders?

Antigone - Polynices is my brother; that is what the gods willed.



Chorus:

Your brother would destroy Thebes.
Ismene is your sister;
That is also what the gods willed.
In Thebes she lived.

Choryphaeus:

Creon forbade Polynices' burial.
Daughter of Thebes, you owe him obedience.



Creon - By burying Polynices, you make him triumph.

Antigone - The laws of the gods are the same for Thebes and for its enemies.

Creon - By making Polynices triumph, you encourage Thebes' enemies.

Antigone - I encourage them to respect the gods.

Creon - Do you think they will ask a daughter of Thebes for advice?

Antigone - Do you think a daughter of Thebes should beg their mercy?



Chorus:

You would inspire the cities to wisdom.
Will it bring them the power
To which they aspire?

Choryphaeus:

Without the help of arms,
You cannot convince...