Need someone to do my homework | English homework help
- I agree with ________________________ (Antigone / Ismene) because ______________________________________
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Reading Summary:
Who: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... What: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Where: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….... When: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. How: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Why: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... Summary Sentence: __________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ************************************************************************************* [Exit into the Palace. ANTIGONE goes off, Left. Enter the CHORUS.]
CHORUS (Summary):
The Chorus welcomes the morning sun and sings of the terrible battle the preceding (before) night. Polyneices, one of the two sons of Oedipus, commanded a battle against his fellow Thebans. Polyneices and his men attacked the seven gates of Thebes at night and defeated the seven captains guarding them. Polyneices and his men bring war, spears, fire, flames, screams, and death into the city. Eteocles, the brother of Polyneices, fights to defend Thebes against his brother. The two brothers fight a long face to face battle against each other until both are dead. It is the morning following the battle; the Chorus celebrates the beautiful morning of victory and sings for joy because Thebes is now free of war. The citizens of Thebes will sing hymns (religious songs) of praise in the temples (religious buildings).
CHORAGOS:
For God hates utterly (completely) 100 The bray (loud, harsh sound like a donkey) of bragging (proud talk of one’s accomplishments) tongues; And when he beheld (saw) their smiling, 102 Their swagger (confident and arrogant walk) of golden helms (position of leadership or control), 103 The frown (expression of disapproval) of his thunder blasted (exploded) 104 Their first man from our walls (structure to protect the city) 105
CHORAGOS:
Seven captains at seven gates 106 Yielded (gave way to demands) their clanging (making a loud metallic sound) arms to the god 107 That bends the battle-line and breaks it. 108 These two only, brothers in blood, 109 Face to face in matchless (cannot be equaled) rage (extreme anger), 110 Mirroring (matching) each the other’s death, 111 Clashed (came together in violent conflict) in long combat (fight between armed forces). 112
SCENE I
CHORAGUS:
But now at last our new King is coming: 113 Creon of Thebes, Menoikeus’ son. 114 In this auspicious (characterized by success) dawn (early morning) of his reign (royal office) 115 What are the new complexities (challenges, difficulties) 116 That shifting (changing) Fate has woven (put together) for him? 117 What is his counsel (advice)? Why has he summoned (called) 118 The old men to hear him? 119 [Enter CREON from the Palace, Center. He addresses the CHORUS from the top step.]
CREON:
Gentlemen: I have the honor to inform you that our Ship of 120 State (government), which recent storms have threatened to destroy, has come 121 safely to harbor (home) at last, guided by the merciful wisdom of Heaven. I22 have summoned (called) you here this morning because I know that I can 123 depend upon you: your devotion (loyalty) to King Laios was absolute (complete); you 124 never hesitated (paused) in your duty (responsibility) to our late ruler (king) Oedipus; and when 125 Oedipus died, your loyalty (devotion) was transferred (given) to his children. 126 Unfortunately, as you know, his two sons, the princes Eteocles and 127 Polyneices, have killed each other in battle, and I, as the next in 128 blood, have succeeded to the full (total) power of the throne (position of king). 129 I am aware, of course, that no Ruler can expect complete 130 loyalty from his subjects until he has been tested in office. 131 Nevertheless, I say to you at the very outset (start) that I have nothing but 132 contempt (strong dislike) for the kind of Governor who is afraid, for whatever reason, 133 to follow the course that he knows is best for the State; and as for the 134 man who sets private friendship above the public welfare (well-being), ––I have 135 no use for him, either. I call God to witness that if I saw my country 136 headed for ruin (destruction), I should not be afraid to speak out plainly (honestly); and I need 137 hardly remind you that I would never have any dealings with an 138 enemy of the people. No one values friendship more highly than I; 139 but we must remember that friends made at the risk (danger) of wrecking (destroying) our 140 Ship (government) are not real friends at all. 141 These are my principles (values), at any rate, and that is why I have 142 made the following decision concerning the sons of Oedipus: 143 Eteocles, who died as a man should die, fighting for his country, is to 144 be buried with full military honors, with all the ceremony that is usual 145 when the greatest heroes die; but his brother Polyneices, who broke 146 his exile (forbidden to return) to come back with fire and sword against his native (birth) city and 147 the shrines (holy buildings) of his fathers’ gods, whose one idea was to spill the blood 148 of his blood and sell his own people into slavery–– Polyneices, I say, 149 is to have no burial: no man is to touch him or say the least prayer for 150 him; he shall lie on the plain (flat land with few trees), unburied (not buried); and the birds and the 151 scavenging dogs can do with him whatever they like. 152 This is my command (order), and you can see the wisdom (intelligence) behind it. As 153 long as I am King, no traitor (person who betrays their country) is going to be honored with the loyal 154 man. But whoever shows by word and deed that he is on the side of 155 the State,––he shall have my respect while he is living and my 156 reverence (deep respect) when he is dead. 157 *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) King Creon says, “recent storms have threatened to destroy” the government because ___________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________. (2) King Creon expects complete loyalty from his subjects, but ________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ (3) King Creon views Eteocles as a hero, so _____________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________. (4) King Creon views Polyneices as a traitor, so _________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________. *************************************************************************************
CHORAGOS:
If that is your will, Creon son of Menoikeus, 158 You have the right to enforce it: we are yours. 159
CREON:
That is my will. Take care that you do your part. 160
CHORAGOS:
We are old men: let the younger ones carry it out. 161
CREON:
I do not mean that: the sentries have been appointed. 162
CHORAGOS:
Then what is it that you would have us do? 163
CREON:
You will give no support to whoever breaks this law. 164
CHORAGOS:
Only a crazy man is in love with death! 165
CREON:
And death it is; yet money talks, and the wisest 166 Have sometimes been known to count a few coins too many. 167 [Enter SENTRY from Left]
SENTRY:
I’ll not say that I’m out of breath from running, King, because every 168 time I stopped to think about what I have to tell you, I felt like going 169 back. And all the time a voice kept saying, “You fool, don’t you 170 know you’re walking straight into trouble?”; and then another voice: 171 “Yes, but if you let somebody else get the news to Creon first, it will 172 be even worse than that for you!” But good sense won out, at least I 173 hope it was good sense, and here I am with a story that makes no 174 sense at all; but I’ll tell it anyhow, because, as they say, what’s going 175 to happen’s going to happen, and–– 176
CREON:
Come to the point. What have you to say? 177
SENTRY:
I did not it. I did not see who did it. You must not punish me for what someone 178 else has done. 179
CREON:
A comprehensive defense! More effective, perhaps, 180 If I knew its purpose. Come: what is it? 181
SENTRY:
A dreadful thing… I don’t know how to put it–– 182
CREON:
Out with it! 183
SENTRY:
Well, then; 184 The dead man––– 185 Polyneices–– 186 [Pause. The SENTRY is overcome, fumbles for words. CREON waits impassively.] out there–– 187 someone, –– 188 new dust on the slimy flesh! 189 [Pause. No sign from CREON.] Someone has given it burial that way, and 190 Gone … 191 [Long pause. CREON finally speaks with deadly control.]
CREON:
And the man who dared do this? 192
SENTRY:
I swear I 193 Do not know! You must believe me! 194 Listen: 195 The ground was dry, not a sign of digging, no, 196 Not a wheel track in the dust, no trace of anyone. 197 It was when they relieved us this morning: and one of them, 198 The corporal, pointed to it. 199 There it was, 200 The strangest–– 201 Look: 202 The body, just mounded over with light dust: you see? 203 Not buried really, but as if they’d covered it 204 Just enough for the ghost’s peace. And no sign 205 Of dogs or any wild animal that had been there. 206 And then what a scene there was! Every man of us 207 Accusing the other: we all proved the other man did it, 208 We all had proof that we could not have done it. 209 We were ready to take hot iron in our hands, 210 Walk through fire, swear by all the gods, 211 It was not I! 212 I do not know who it was, but it was not I! 213 [CREON’s rage has been mounting steadily, but the SENTRY is too intent upon his story to notice it.] And then, when this came to nothing, someone said 214 A thing that silenced us and made us stare 215 Down at the ground: you had to be told the news, 216 And one of us had to do it! We threw the dice, 217 And the bad luck fell to me. So here I am, 218 No happier to be here than you are to have me: 219 Nobody likes the man who brings bad news. 220 *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) Although no one wanted to bring the news of Polyneices’ burial to King Creon, _________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________. *************************************************************************************
CHORAGOS:
I have been wondering, King: can it be that the gods have done this? 221 …………………………………………..…………………………………………………..………
CREON:
[Furiously.] Stop! 222 Must you doddering wrecks 223 Go out of your heads entirely? “The gods!” 224 Intolerable! 225 The gods favor this corpse? Why? How had he served them? 226 Tried to loot their temples, burn their images, 227 Yes, and the whole State, and its laws with it! 228 Is it your senile opinion that the gods love to honor bad men? 229 A pious thought! –– 230 No, from the every beginning 231 There have been those who have whispered together, 232 Stiff-necked anarchists, putting their heads together, 233 Scheming against me in alleys. These are the men, 234 And they have bribed my own guard to do this thing. 235 Money! 236 [Sententiously.] There’s nothing in the world so demoralizing as money. 237 Find that man, bring him here to me, or your death 238 Will be the least of your problems: I’ll string you up 239 Alive, and there will be certain ways to make you 240 Discover your employer before you die; 241 And the process may teach you a lesson you seem to have missed 242 The dearest profit is sometimes all too dear: 243 That depends on the source. Do you understand me? 244 A fortune won is often misfortune. 245
SENTRY:
King, may I speak? 246
CREON:
Your very voice distresses me. 247
SENTRY:
Are you sure that it is my voice, and not your conscience? 248
CREON:
By God, he wants to analyze me now! 249
SENTRY:
It is not what I say, but what has been done, that hurts you. 250
CREON:
You talk too much. 251
SENTRY:
Maybe; but I’ve done nothing. 252
CREON:
Sold your soul for some silver: that’s all you’ve done. 253
SENTRY:
How dreadful it is when the right judge judges wrong! 254
CREON:
Your figures of speech 255 May entertain you now; but unless you bring me the man, 256 You will get little profit from them in the end. 257 [Enter CREON into the Palace.]
SENTRY:
“Bring me the man” ––! 258 I’d like nothing better than bringing him the man! 259 But bring him or not, you have seen the last of me here. 260 At any rate, I am safe! 261 [Exit SENTRY.] *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) King Creon demands the Sentry to bring him the man who dared to bury Polyneices against his orders , so ____________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________. *************************************************************************************
ODE 1
CHORUS: [Strophe 1] 262 Numberless are the world’s wonders, but none 263 More wonderful than man; 264 O clear intelligence, force beyond all measure! 265 O fate of man, working both good and evil! 266 When the laws are kept, how proudly his city stands! 267 When the laws are broken, what of his city then? 268 Never may the anarchic man find rest at my hearth, 269 Never be it said that my thoughts are his thoughts. 270 *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) The Chorus sings that man is the world’s most wonderful wonder because ____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________. (2) Create a sentence using the subordinating conjunction when and the following phrases: “laws are kept” and “the city stands proudly.” ____________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________. (3) Combine the following two sentences: The anarchic man never may find rest at my hearth. The anarchic man never has the same thoughts as my thoughts. ____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________. *************************************************************************************
SCENE II
[Re-enter SENTRY leading ANTIGONE.]
CHORAGOS:
What does this mean? Surely this captive woman 271 Is the Princess, Antigone. Why should she be taken? 272
SENTRY:
Here is the one who did it! We caught her 273 In the very act of burying him. ––Where is Creon? 274
CHORAGOS:
Just coming from the house. 275 [Enter CREON, Center]
CREON:
What has happened? 276 Why have you come back so soon? 277
SENTRY:
O King, 278 A man should never be too sure of anything: 279 I would have sworn 280 That you’d not see me here again: your anger 281 Frightened (scared) me so, and the things you threatened me with; 282 But how could I tell then 283 That I’d be able to solve the case so soon? 284 No dice-throwing this time: I was only too glad to come! 285 Here is this woman. She is the guilty one: 286 We found her trying to bury him. 287 Take her, then; question her; judge her as you will. 288 I am through with the whole thing now, and glad of it. 289
CREON:
But this is Antigone! Why have you brought her here? 290
SENTRY:
She was burying him, I tell you! 291
CREON:
[Severely.] Is this the truth? 292
SENTRY:
I saw her with my own eyes. Can I say more? 293
CREON:
The details: come, tell me quickly! 294
SENTRY:
It was like this: 295 After those terrible threats of yours King. 296 We went back and brushed the dust away from the body. 297 The flesh was soft by now, and stinking (smelling bad), 298 So we sat on a hill to windward and kept guard (watch). 299 No napping (sleeping) happened until the white round sun 300 Whirled in the center of the round sky over us: 301 Then, suddenly, 302 A storm of dust roared up from the earth, and the sky 303 Went out, the plain vanished (disappeared) with all its trees 304 In the stinging dark. We closed our eyes and endured it. 305 The whirlwind lasted a long time, but it passed; 306 And then we looked, and there was Antigone! 307 I have seen 308 A mother bird come back to a stripped nest, heard 309 Her crying bitterly a broken note or two 310 For the young ones stolen. Just so, when this girl 311 Found the bare corpse, and all her love’s work wasted, 312 She wept, and cried on heaven to damn the hands 313 That had done this thing 314 And then she brought more dust 315 And sprinkled wine three times for her brother’s ghost. 316 We ran and took her at once. She was not afraid, 317 Not even when we charged her with what she had done. 318 She denied nothing. 319 And this was a comfort to me, 320 And some uneasiness: for it is a good thing 321 To escape from death, but it is no great pleasure 322 To bring death to a friend. 323 Yes I always say 324 There is nothing so comfortable as your own safe skin! 325 *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) The Sentry knows it was Antigone who buried Polyneices because ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________. (2) Combine the following two sentences: The Sentry brings King Creon news that he saw Antigone burying the body of Polyneices. King Creon will be surprised and upset. ___________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________. (3) The Sentry feels “some uneasiness” about bringing this news of Antigone burying Polyneices to King Creon because ___ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________. *************************************************************************************
CREON:
[Slowly, dangerously.] And you, Antigone, 326 You with your head hanging––do you confess this thing? 327
ANTIGONE:
I do. I deny nothing. 328
CREON:
[To SENTRY:] You may go. 329 [Exit SENTRY. To ANTIGONE:] Tell me, tell me briefly: 330 Had you heard my proclamation touching this matter? 331
ANTIGONE:
It was public. Could I help hearing it? 332
CREON:
And yet you dared defy the law. 333
ANTIGONE:
I dared. It was not God’s proclamation. That final Justice 334 That rules the world below makes no such laws. 335 Your edict, King, was strong, 336 But all your strength is weakness itself against 337 The immortal unrecorded laws of God. 338 They are not merely now: they were, and shall be, 339 Operative for ever, beyond man utterly. 340 I knew I must die, even without your decree: 341 I am only mortal. And if I must die 342 Now, before it is my time to die, 343 Surely this is no hardship: can anyone 344 Living, as I live, with evil all about me, 345 Think Death less than a friend? This death of mine 346 Is of no importance; but if I had left my brother 347 Lying in death unburied, I should have suffered. 348 Now I do not. 349 You smile at me. Ah Creon, 350 Think me a fool, if you like; but it may well be 351 That a fool convicts me of folly. 352 *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) Although it goes against the edict of her uncle, King Creon, _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________. *************************************************************************************
CHORAGOS:
Like father, like daughter: both headstrong, deaf (cannot hear) to reason! 353 She has never learned to yield. 354 She has much to learn. 355 The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron 356 Cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their necks 357 At the pull of the smallest curb. 358 Pride? In a slave? 359 This girl is guilty of a double insolence, 360 Breaking the given laws and boasting (excessively proud talk) of it. 361 Who is the man here, 362 She or I, if this crime goes unpunished (not punished)? 363 Sister’s child, or more than sister’s child, 364 Or closer yet in blood––she and her sister 365 Win bitter death for this! 366 ************************************************************************************* STOP and RESPOND (1) The lines: “Sister’s child, or more than sister’s child, / Or closer yet in blood––she and her sister” are significant because ___________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________. ************************************************************************************* [To servants:] Go, some of you, 367 Arrest Ismene. I accuse her equally. 368 Bring her: you will find her sniffling in the house there. 369 Her mind’s a traitor: crimes kept in the dark 370 Cry for light, and the guardian brain shudders: 371 But now much worse than this 372 Is brazen boasting of barefaced anarchy! 373
ANTIGONE:
Creon, what more do you want than my death? 374
CREON:
Nothing. 375 That gives me everything. 376
ANTIGONE:
Then I beg you: kill me. 377 This talking is a great weariness: your words 378 Are distasteful to me, and I am sure that mine 379 Seem so to you. And yet they should not seem so: 380 I should have praise and honor for what I have done. 381 All these men here would praise me 382 Were their lips not frozen shut with fear of you. 383 [Bitterly.] Ah the good fortune of kings, 384 Licensed to say and do whatever they please! 385
CREON:
You are alone here in that opinion. 386
ANTIGONE:
No, they are with me. But they keep their tongues in leash. 387
CREON:
Maybe. But you are guilty, and they are not. 388
ANTIGONE:
There is no guilt in reverence for the dead. 389
CREON:
But Eteocles––was he not your brother too? 390
ANTIGONE:
My brother too. 391
CREON:
And you insult his memory? 392 ANTIGONE: [Softly.] The dead man would not say that I insult it. 393
CREON:
He would: for you honor a traitor as much as him. 394
ANTIGONE:
His own brother, traitor or not, and equal in blood. 395
CREON:
He made war on his country. Eteocles defended it. 396
ANTIGONE:
Nevertheless, there are honors due all the dead. 397
CREON:
But not the same for the wicked as for the just. 398
ANTIGONE:
Ah Creon, Creon, 399 Which of us can say what the gods hold wicked? 400
CREON:
An enemy is an enemy, even dead. 401
ANTIGONE:
It is my nature to join in love, not hate. 402
CREON:
[Finally losing patience.] Go join them, then; if you must have your love, 403 Find it in hell! 404
CHORAGOS:
But see, Ismene comes: 405 [Enter ISMENE, guarded.] Those tears are sisterly, the cloud 406 That shadows her eyes rains down gentle sorrow. 407
CREON:
You too, Ismene, 408 Snake in my ordered house, sucking my blood 409 Stealthily––and all the time I never knew 410 That these two sisters were aiming at my throne! 411 Ismene, 412 Do you confess your share in this crime, or deny it? 413 Answer me. 414
ISMENE:
Yes, if she will let me say so. I am guilty. 415
ANTIGONE:
[Coldly.] No, Ismene. You have no right to say so. 416 You would not help me, and I will not have you help me. 417
ISMENE:
But now I know what you meant; and I am here 418 To join you, to take my share of punishment. 419
ANTIGONE:
The dead man and the gods who rule the dead 420 Know whose act this was. Words are not friends. 421
ISMENE:
Do you refuse me, Antigone? I want to die with you: 421 I too have a duty that I must discharge to the dead. 422
ANTIGONE:
You shall not lessen my death by sharing it. 423
ISMENE:
What do I care for life when you are dead? 424
ANTIGONE:
Ask Creon. You’re always hanging on his opinions. 425
ISMENE:
You are laughing at me. Why, Antigone? 426
ANTIGONE:
It’s a joyless laughter, Ismene. 427
ISMENE:
But can I do nothing? 428
ANTIGONE:
Yes. Save yourself. I shall not envy you. 429 There are those who will praise you; I shall have honor, too. 430
ISMENE:
But we are equally guilty! 431
ANTIGONE:
No more, Ismene. 432 You are alive, but I belong to Death. 433
CREON:
[To the CHORUS:] Gentlemen, I beg you to observe these girls: 434 One has just now lost her mind; the other, 435 It seem, has never had a mind at all. 436
ISMENE:
Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver, King. 437
CREON:
Yours certainly did, when you assumed guild with the guilty! 438
ISMENE:
But how could I go on living without her? 439
CREON:
You are. She is already dead. 440
ISMENE:
But your own son’s bride! 441
CREON:
There are places enough for him to push his plow. 442 I want no wicked women for my sons! 443
ISMENE:
O dearest Haimon, how your father wrong you! 444
CREON:
I’ve had enough of your childish talk of marriage! 445
CHORAGOS:
Do you really intend to steal this girl from your son? 446
CREON:
No; Death will do that for me. 447
CHORAGOS:
Then she must die? 448
CREON:
[Ironically.] You dazzle me. 449 ––But enough of this talk! 450 [To GUARDS:] You, there, take them away and guard them well: 451 For they are but women, and even brave men run 452 When they see Death coming. 453 [Exeunt (Exit) ISMENE, ANTIGONE, and GUARDS.]
ODE II
CHORUS: [Strophe 1] 454 Fortunate is the man who has never tasted God’s vengeance! 455 Where once the anger of heaven has struck, that house is shaken 456 For ever: damnation rises behind each child 457 I have seen this gathering sorrow from time long past 458 Loom upon Oedipus’ children: generation from generation 459 So lately this last flower of Oedipus’ line 460 Drank the sunlight! but now a passionate word 461 And a handful of dust have closed up all its beauty 462 What mortal arrogance [Strophe 2] 463 Transcends the wrath of Zeus? 464 No pride on earth is free of the curse of heaven. 465 But the ancient wisdom speaks for our own time: 466
SCENE III
CHORAGOS:
But here is Haimon, King, the last of all your sons. 467 Is it grief for Antigone, that brings him here, 468 And bitterness at being robbed of his bride? 469 [Enter HAIMON.]
CREON:
We shall soon see, and no need of diviners. 470 ––Son, 471 You have heard my final judgment on that girl: 472 Have you come here hating me, or have you come 473 With deference (respect) and with love, whatever I do? 474
HAIMON:
I am your son, father. You are my guide. 475 You make things clear for me, and I obey you. 476 No marriage means more to me than your continuing wisdom. 477
CREON:
Good. That is the way to behave: subordinate (lower in power or position) 478 Everything else, my son, to your father’s will 479 This is what a man prays for, that he may get 480 Sons attentive and dutiful (responsible) in his house, 481 Each one hating his father’s enemies, 482 Honoring his father’s friends. But if his sons 483 Fail him, if they turn out unprofitably, 484 What has he fathered but trouble for himself 485 And amusement for the malicious? 486 So you are right 487 Not to lose your head over this woman. 488 Your pleasure with her would soon grow cold, Haimon, 489 And then you’d have a hellcat in bed and elsewhere. 490 Let her find her husband in Hell! 491 Of all the people in this city, only she 492 Has had contempt for my law and broken it. 493 Do you want me to show myself weak before the people? 494 Or to break my sworn word? No, and I will not. 495 The woman dies. 496 I suppose she’ll plead “family ties.” Well, let her. 497 If I permit my own family to rebel, 498 How shall I earn the world’s obedience? 499 Show me the man who keeps his house in hand, 500 He’s fit for public authority. 501 I’ll have no dealings 502 With law-breakers, critics of the government: 503 Whoever is chosen to govern should be obeyed–– 504 Must be obeyed, in all things, great and small, 505 Just (fair) and unjust unfair)! O Haimon, 506 The man who knows how to obey, and that man only, 507 Knows how to give commands when the time comes. 508 You can depend on him, no matter how fast 509 The spears come: he’s a good soldier, he’ll stick it out. 510 Anarchy, anarchy! Show me a greater evil! 511 This is why cities tumble (fall) and the great houses rain down, 512 This is what scatters armies! 513 No, no: good lives are made so by discipline. 514 We keep the laws then, and the lawmakers, 515 And no woman shall seduce us. If we must lose, 516 Let’s lose to a man, at least! Is a woman stronger than we? 517 *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) Haimon respects his father, so _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________. (2) Haimon loves and respects Antigone, but ________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________. (3) King Creon believes that cities tumble because ___________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________. *************************************************************************************
CHORAGOS:
Unless time has rusted my wits, 518 What you say, King, is said with point and dignity. 519
HAIMON:
[Boyishly earnest (honest).] Father: 520 Reason is God’s crowing gift to man, and you are right 521 To warn me against losing mine. I cannot say–– 522 I hope that I shall never want to say! ––that you 523 Have reasoned badly. Yet there are other men 524 Who can reason, too; and their opinions might be helpful. 525 You are not in a position to know everything 526 That people say or do, or what they feel: 527 Your temper terrifies them––everyone 528 Will tell you only what you like to hear. 529 But I, at any rate, can listen; and I have heard them 530 Muttering and whispering in the dark about this girl. 531 They say no woman has ever, so unreasonably, 532 Died so shameful a death for a generous act: 533 “She covered her brother’s body. Is this indecent (not acceptable)? 534 She kept him from dogs and vultures (large birds who eat dead animals). Is this a crime? 535 Death? ––She should have all the honor that we can give her!” 536 This is the way they talk out there in the city. 537 You must believe me: 538 Nothing is closer to me than your happiness. 539 What could be closer? Must not any son 540 Value his father’s fortune as his father does his? 541 I beg you, do not be unchangeable (not willing to change): 542 Do not believe that you alone can be right. 543 The man who thinks that, 544 The man who maintains (believes) that only he has the power 545 To reason correctly, the gift to speak, to soul–– 546 A man like that, when you know him, turns out empty. 547 It is not reason never to yield (listen) to reason! 548 In flood time you can see how some trees bend, 549 And because they bend, even their twigs (small tree branches) are safe, 550 While stubborn (determined not to move) trees are torn up, roots and all. 551 And the same thing happens in sailing: 552 Make your sheet (large cloth for sailing) fast (tight), never slacken (loosen),––and over you go, 553 Head over heels and under: and there’s your voyage (long trip). 554 Forget you are angry! Let yourself be moved! 555 I know I am young; but please let me say this: 556 The ideal (perfect) condition (situation) 557 Would be, I admit, that men should be right by instinct; 558 But since we are all too likely to go astray (into error or morally questionable behavior), 559 The reasonable thing is to learn from those who can teach. 560 *************************************************************************************
STOP and RESPOND:
(1) What news does Haimon present to King Creon about the people of Thebes? (2) What advice does Haimon offer to his father? *************************************************************************************
CHORAGOS:
You will do well to listen to him, King, 561 If what he says is sensible. And you, Haimon, 562 Must listen to your father. ––Both speak well. 563
CREON:
You consider it right for a man of my years and experience 564 To go to school to a boy? 565
HAIMON:
It is not right 566 If I am wrong. But if I am young, and right, 567 What does my age matter? 568
CREON:
You think it right to stand up for an anarchist (rebels against authority)? 569
HAIMON:
Not at all. I pay no respect to criminals. 570
CREON:
Then she is not a criminal? 571
HAIMON:
The City proposes (offers) to teach me how to rule? 572
CREON:
And the City proposes to teach me how to rule? 573
HAIMON:
Ah. Who is it that’s talking like a boy now? 574
CREON:
My voice is the one voice giving orders in this City! 575
HAIMON:
It is no City if it takes orders from one voice. 576
CREON:
The State is the King! 578
HAIMON:
Yes, if the State is a desert 579. [Pause.]
CREON:
This boy, it seems, has sold out to a woman. 580
HAIMON:
If you are a woman: my concern is only for you. 581
CREON:
So? Your “concern”! In a public brawl (fight) with your father! 582
HAIMON:
How about you, in a public brawl (fight) with justice? 583
CREON:
With justice, when all that I do is within my rights? 584
HAIMON:
You have no right to trample (step heavily on causing damage) on God’s right. 585 CREON: [Completely out of control.] 586 Fool, adolescent fool! Taken in by a woman! 587
HAIMON:
You’ll never see me taken in by anything vile. 588
CREON:
Every word you say is for her! 589 HAIMON: [Quietly, darkly.] 590 And for you. 591 And for me. And for the gods under the earth. 592
CREON:
You’ll never marry her while she lives. 593
HAIMON:
Then she must die. ––But her death will cause another. 594
CREON:
Another? 595 Have you lost your senses? Is this an open threat? 596
HAIMON:
There is no threat in speaking to emptiness. 597
CREON:
I swear you’ll regret this superior tone of yours! 598 You are the empty one! 599
HAIMON:
If you were not my father, 600 I’d say you were perverse (corrupt). 601
CREON:
You girlstruck fool (idiot), don’t play at words with me! 602
HAIMON:
I am sorry. You prefer silence. 603
CREON:
Now, by God––! 604 I swear, by all the gods in heaven above us, 605 You’ll watch it, I swear you shall (will) 606 [To the SERVANTS:] Bring her out! 607 Bring the woman out! Let her die before his eyes! 608 Here, this instant (moment), with her bridegroom (fiance, future husband) beside her! 609
HAIMON:
Not here, no; she will not die here, King. 610 And you will never see my face again. 611 Go on raving (wildly talking) as long as you’ve a friend to endure (listen to) you. 612 [Exit HAIMON.]
CHORAGOS:
Gone, gone. 613 Creon, a young man in a rage (extreme anger) is dangerous! 614
CREON:
Let him do, or dream to do, more than a man can. 615 He shall (will) not save these girls from death. 616
CHORAGOS:
These girls? 617 You have sentenced them both? 618
CREON:
No, you are right 619 I will not kill the one whose hands are clean. 620
CHORAGOS:
But Antigone? 621
CREON:
[Somberly.] I will carry her far away 622 Out there in the wilderness, and lock her 623 Living in a vault of stone. She shall have food, 624 As the custom is, to absolve the State of her death. 625 And there let her pray to the gods of hell: 626 They are her only gods: 627 Perhaps they will show her an escape from death, 628 Or she may learn, 629 though late, 630 That piety shown the dead is pity in vain. 631 [Exit CREON.]
ODE III
CHORUS:
Love, unconquerable [Strophe] 632 Surely you swerve upon ruin [Antistrope] 633 The just man’s consenting heart, 634 As here you have made bright anger 635 Strike between father and son–– 636 And none has conquered but Love! 637 A girl’s glance working the will of heaven: 638 Pleasure to her alone who mock us, 639 Merciless Aphrodite. 640
SCENE IV
CHORAGOS:
[As ANTIGONE enters guarded.] But I can no longer stand in awe of this, 641 Nor, seeing what I see, keep back my tears. 642 Here is Antigone, passing to that chamber 643 Where all find sleep at last 644
ANTIGONE:
Look upon me, friends, and pity me [Strophe 1] 645 Turning back at the night’s edge to say 646 Good-by to the sun that shines for me no longer; 647 Now sleepy Death 648 Summons (calls) me down to Acheron,5 that cold shore: 649 There is no bridesong there, nor any music. 650 4 Goddess of Love. 651 5 A river of the underworld, which was ruled by Hades.
CHORUS:
Yet not unpraised, not without a kind of honor, 653 You walk at last into the underworld; 654 Untouched by sickness, broken by no sword. 655 What woman has ever found your way to death? 656
ANTIGONE:
[Antistrophe 1] How often I have heard the store of Niobe, 657 Tantalos’ wretched daughter, how the stone 658 Clung fast about her, ivy-close: and they say 659 The rain falls endlessly 660 And rifting soft snow; her tears are never done. 661 I feel the loneliness of her death in mine. 662
CHORUS:
But she was born of heaven, and you 663 Are woman, woman-born. If her death is yours, 664 A mortal woman’s, is this not for you 665 Glory in our world and in the world beyond? 667
ANTIGONE:
You laugh at me. Ah, friends, friends, [Strophe2] 668 Can you not wait until I am dead? O Thebes, 669 O men many-charioted, in love with Fortune, 670 Dear spring of Dirce, sacred Theban grove, 671 Be witnesses for me, denied all pity, 672 Unjustly judge! and think a word of love 673 For her whose path turns 674 Under dark earth, where there are no more tears. 675
CHORUS:
You have passed beyond human daring and come at last 676 Into a place of stone where Justice sits 677 I cannot tell 678 What shape of your father’s guilt appears in this. 679
ANTIGONE:
[Antistrophe 2] You have touched it at last: that bridal bed 680 Unspeakable, horror of son and mother mingling: 681 Their crime, infection of all our family! 682 O Oedipus, father and brother! 683 Your marriage strikes from the grave to murder mine. 684 I have been a stranger here in my own land: 685 6 Niobe boasted of her numerous children, provoking Leto, the mother of Apollo, to destroy them. 686 Niobe wept profusely, and 687 finally was turned into a stone on Mount Sipylus, whose streams are her tears. [Editors’ note] 688 All my life 689 The blasphemy of my birth has followed me. 690
CHORUS:
Reverence is a virtue, but strength 691 Lives in established law: that must prevail. 692 You have made your choice, 693 Your death is the doing of your conscious hand. 694
ANTIGONE:
[Epode] Then let me go, since all your words are bitter, 695 And the very light of the sun is cold to me. 696 Lead me to my vigil, where I must have 697 Neither love nor lamentation; no song, but silence. 698 [CREON interrupts impatiently.]
CREON:
If dirges and planned lamentations could put off death, 699 Men would be singing for ever. 670 [To the SERVANTS:] Take her, go! 671 You know your orders: take her to the vault 672 And leave her alone there. And if she lives or