Sophocles, Antigone, 365

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

View: By Card By Turn

← Previous Next →

Callidus ultra quam.

sperari possit, quodvis opus ingens artificio perficere, modo bonum, modo pravum sectatur. Leges contemnens patriae, vindicesque iurisiurandi patrios deos, princeps, civitate eiicitur, qui pravum, audaciae plenus, sectatur: neque idem mecum tectum subeat, nec mecum conferat: consilia, qui talia patrat. —

Antigone. Sophocles. Berlin. 1806.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Tufts University.

Current edition Experimental

Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) (Latin) (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (12)

Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων,

ποτὲ μὲν κακὸν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐ-

σθλὸν ἕρπει· νόμους παρείρων ¹
365

χθονὸς, θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν,

ὑψίπολις· ἄπολις,

ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν

ξύνεστι, τόλμας χάριν.

μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος
370

γένοιτο, μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν, ²

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει.

Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων

ποτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει,

νόμους παρείρων χθονός,

θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν.

ὑψίπολις ἄπολις, ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν ξύνεστιν.
360

τόλμας χάριν μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν, ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει.

1

Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 365 focus

δεινόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν
360

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων,

ποτὲ μὲν κακὸν ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐ-

σθλὸν ἕρπει. νόμους παρορῶν θεῶν χθονός

τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν, ὑψίπολις ἄπολις,

ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν ξύνεστι,
365

τόλμας χάριν· μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο, μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν,

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει.

Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων
365

ποτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει·

νόμους παρείρων χθονὸς

θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν,

ὑψίπολις· ἄπολις, ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν
370

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν.

μήτ᾿ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδοι.
375

Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν
365

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων,

τοτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει,

νόμους παρείρων χθονὸς

θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν

ὑψίπολις·
370

ἄπολις ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν·

μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει.
375

Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 365 focus

Σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ’ ἔχων,
365

τοτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ’ ἐπ’ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει,

νόμους παρείρων χθονὸς

θεῶν τ’ ἔνορκον δίκαν

ὑψίπολις· ἄπολις ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν
370

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν·

μήτ’ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος γέ-

νοιτο μήτ’ ἴσον φρονῶν

ὃς τάδ’ ἔρδοι.
375

Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν
365

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων

τοτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾿ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει·

νόμους γεραίρων χθονὸς

θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν

ὑψίπολις · ἄπολις ὅτωι τὸ μὴ καλὸν
370

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν·

μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει.

Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων,

ποτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει· νόμους

παρείρων χθονός,
365

θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν, ὑψίπολις·

ἄπολις, ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν

ξύνεστι, τόλμας χάριν.

μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο, μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν,
370

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει.

Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν 1
365

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων τοτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει· 2

νόμους γεραίρων χθονὸς θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν, 3

ὑψίπολις· ἄπολις, ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν 4
370

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν. μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος 5

γένοιτο μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν, ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει. 6
375

Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν
365

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων

τοτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει,

νόμους περαίνων χθονὸς

θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν·

ὑψίπολις· ἄπολις ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν
370

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν.

μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδοι.
375

Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 365 focus

Χορός

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδʼ ἔχων
365

τοτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτʼ ἐπʼ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει,

νόμους γεραίρων χθονὸς θεῶν τʼ ἔνορκον δίκαν,

ὑψίπολις· ἄπολις ὅτῳ τὸ μὴ καλὸν
370

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν. μήτʼ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο μήτʼ ἴσον φρονῶν ὃς τάδʼ ἔρδει.
375

Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 365 focus

σοφόν τι τὸ μηχανόεν

τέχνας ὑπὲρ ἐλπίδ᾽ ἔχων
365

τοτὲ μὲν κακόν, ἄλλοτ᾽ ἐπ᾽ ἐσθλὸν ἕρπει·

νόμους γεραίρων χθονὸς

θεῶν τ᾽ ἔνορκον δίκαν

ὑψίπολις· ἄπολις ὅτωι τὸ μὴ καλὸν
370

ξύνεστι τόλμας χάριν·

μήτ᾽ ἐμοὶ παρέστιος

γένοιτο μήτ᾽ ἴσον φρονῶν

ὃς τάδ᾽ ἔρδει.
375

Χορός

Translations (10)

German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 365 focus

Mit listiger Künste Geschick wohl über Verhoffen begabt

geht jetzo zum Bösen er, jetzt zum Guten ;

des Lands Gesetz kehrt er um,

der Götter schwurheilig Recht.

Auf des Staates Höh' ist staatlos, wem das Edle fern wohnt;
360

tollkühnes Sinns, mög' er nicht zu meinem Heerd

gelangen noch in meinen Rath, solch ein Frevler!

(der Wächter bringt die Antigone.)

Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 365 focus

Y poseyendo la industriosa habilidad del arte más de lo que podia podía esperarse, procede unas veces bien o se arrastra hacia el mal, conculcando las leyes de la patria y el sagrado juramento de los dioses. Quien, ocupando un elevado cargo en la ciudad, se habitúa al mal por osadía, es indigno de vivir en ella : que nunca sea mi huésped, y menos amigo mío, el que tales cosas haga.

English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 365 focus

One while he moves toward evil, and one while toward good,
365

According as he loves his land and fears the Gods above.

Weaving the laws into his life and steadfast oath of Heaven,

High in the State he moves but outcast he,
370

Who hugs dishonour to his heart and follows paths of crime

Ne’er may he come beneath my roof, nor think like thoughts with me.

What portent from the Gods is here?

My mind is mazed with doubt and fear.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 365 focus

In Erfindungen listiger Kunst

Weit über Verhoffen gewandt,

Neigt bald er zu Bösem, zu Gutem bald, achtet hoch
365

Der Heimat Gesez,

Der Götter schwurheilig Recht,

Segen der Stadt! Aber zum Fluch

Lebt ihr, wer, gesellt

Dem Laster, frechem Troze fröhnt.
370

Nimmermehr an meinen Herd

Gelange, noch in meinen Rath,

Solch ein Frevler!

(der Wächter bringt die Antigone.)

English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 365 focus

Hast thou trangressed the laws, and art thou ta'en

In this adventurous deed, unhappy maid ?

Antigone
Scene IV.

Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 365 focus

Habiendo llegado en la industria y en las artes más allá de toda esperanza, marcha, sin embargo, unas veces hacia el bien, y otras hácia el mal; por esto el poderoso de la ciudad que torcidamente interpreta las leyes humanas y divinas, es digno de ser expulsado de ella, tan luego como su audacia concibe proyectos criminales.

Que el que ejecute tales cosas no participe ni de mi hogar ni de mi pensamiento.¹ (Vése aparecer nuevamente al centinel·la trayendo prisionera á Antígona.)

Vése aparecer nuevamente al centinela trayendo prisionera á Antigona.

German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 365 focus

Von Weisem etwas, und das Geschikte der Kunst

Mehr, als er hoffen kann, besizend,

Kommt einmal er auf Schlimmes, das andre zu Gutem.

Die Gesezze kränkt er, der Erd’und Naturgewalt’ger

Beschwornes Gewissen ;
385

Hochstädtisch kommt, unstädtisch

Zu nichts er, wo das Schöne

Mit ihm ist und mit Frechheit.

Nicht. sey am Heerde mit mir,

Noch gleichgesinnet,
390

Wer solches thut.

English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 365 focus

Cunning beyond fancy’s dream is the fertile skill which brings him, now to evil, now to good. When he honours the laws of the land, and that justice which he hath sworn by the gods to uphold, proudly stands 370 his city: no city hath he who, for his rashness, dwells with sin. Never may he share my hearth, never think my thoughts, who doth these things! Enter the Guard on the spectators’ left, leading in ANTIGONE.

English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 365 focus

When first he bade the city rise
365

A shelter from night's freezing skies,

And the sharp arrows of the storm.

O'er all victorious mounts his active mind :

E'en for disease and racking pain
370

Some healing balm his arts obtain,

But from the darts of death no refuge find.

Unbounded soars his active thought,
375

English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 384-580 focus

Guard

Here is she, the one who did the deed.

We caught this one burying him. Where is Creon?
385

Enter Creon from the palace.

Chorus

There, he is coming from the house again at our need.

Creon

What is it? What has happened that makes my coming timely?

Guard

My king, there is nothing that a man can rightly swear he will not do. For second thought belies one’s first intent.

I could have vowed that I would not ever come here again, because of your threats by which I had just been storm-tossed. But since this joy that exceeds and oversteps my hopes can be compared in fulness to no other pleasure, I am back—though it is contrary to my sworn oath—
390

bringing this girl who was caught giving burial honors to the dead. This time there was no casting of lots. No, this piece of luck has fallen to me, and me alone. And now, my king, as it pleases you, take her yourself, question her and convict her. But justice would see me
395

released free and clear from this trouble.
400

Creon

Your prisoner here—how and where did you take her?

Guard

She was burying the man. You know all there is to tell.

Creon

Are you clear and sure about what you are saying?

Guard

I am. I saw her burying the corpse that you

had forbidden to bury. Is that plain and sufficient?
405

Creon

And how was she observed? How taken in the act?

407

Guard

It happened like this. When we had come to the place with those fierce threats of yours still in our ears, we swept away all the dust that covered

the corpse and bared the damp body well. We then sat down on the brow of the hill to windward, fleeing the smell from him, lest it strike us. Each man was wide awake and kept his neighbor alert with torrents of threats, if any one should be careless of this task.
410

So time passed, until the disk of the sun stood bright in mid-sky and the heat began to burn. And then suddenly a whirlwind lifted from the earth a storm of dust, a trouble in the sky, and it filled the plain, marring all the foliage of its woods.
415

Soon the wide air was choked with it. We closed our eyes, and endured the plague from the gods. When, after a long while, this storm had passed, the girl was seen, and she wailed aloud with the sharp cry of a grieving bird, as when inside her empty
420

nest she sees the bed stripped of its nestlings. So she, too, when she saw the corpse bare, broke into a cry of lamentation and cursed with harsh curses those who had done it. Immediately she took thirsty dust in her hands,
425

and from a pitcher of beaten bronze held high she crowned the dead with thrice-poured libations. We rushed forward when we saw it, and at once closed upon our quarry, who was not at all dismayed. We then charged her with her past and present doings,
430

but she made no denial of anything—at once to my joy and to my pain. For to have escaped from trouble one’s self gives the greatest joy, but it stings to lead friends to evil. Naturally, though, all such things are
435

of less account to me than my own safety.
440

441

Creon

You, you with your face bent to the ground, do you admit, or deny that you did this?

Antigone

I declare it and make no denial.

Creon
To the Guard.

You can take yourself wherever you please,

free and clear of a heavy charge. Exit Guard.
445

To Antigone.

You, however, tell me—not at length, but briefly—did you know that an edict had forbidden this?

Antigone

I knew it. How could I not? It was public.

Creon

And even so you dared overstep that law?

Antigone

Yes, since it was not Zeus that published me that edict, and since not of that kind are the laws which Justice who dwells with the gods below established among men. Nor did I think that your decrees were of such force, that a mortal could override the unwritten
450

and unfailing statutes given us by the gods. For their life is not of today or yesterday, but for all time, and no man knows when they were first put forth. Not for fear of any man’s pride was I about to owe a penalty to the gods for breaking these.
455

Die I must, that I knew well (how could I not?). That is true even without your edicts. But if I am to die before my time, I count that a gain. When anyone lives as I do, surrounded by evils, how can he not carry off gain by dying?
460

So for me to meet this doom is a grief of no account. But if I had endured that my mother’s son should in death lie an unburied corpse, that would have grieved me. Yet for this, I am not grieved. And if my present actions are foolish in your sight,
465

it may be that it is a fool who accuses me of folly.
470

471

Chorus

She shows herself the wild offspring of a wild father, and does not know how to bend before troubles.

Creon

Yet remember that over-hard spirits most often collapse. It is the stiffest iron, baked to

utter hardness in the fire, that you most often see snapped and shivered. And I have witnessed horses with great spirit disciplined by a small bit. For there is no place for pride, when one is his neighbors’ slave.
475

This girl was already practiced in outrage when she overstepped the published laws. And, that done, this now is a second outrage, that she glories in it and exults in her deed. In truth, then, I am no man, but she is,
480

if this victory rests with her and brings no penalty. No! Whether she is my sister’s child, or nearer to me in blood than any of my kin that worship Zeus at the altar of our house, she and her sister will not escape a doom most harsh. For in truth
485

I charge that other with an equal share in the plotting of this burial. Call her out! I saw her inside just now, raving, and not in control of her wits. Before the deed, the mind frequently is convicted of stealthy crimes when conspirators are plotting depravity in the dark.
490

But, truly, I detest it, too, when one who has been caught in treachery then seeks to make the crime a glory.
495

Antigone

What more do you want than to capture and kill me?

Creon

I want nothing else. Having that, I have everything.

499

Antigone

Why then do you wait? In none of your maxims

is there anything that pleases me—and may there never be! Similarly to you as well my views must be displeasing. And yet, how could I have won a nobler glory than by giving burial to my own brother? All here would admit that they approve,
500

if fear did not grip their tongues. But tyranny, blest with so much else, has the power to do and say whatever it pleases.
505

Creon

You alone out of all these Thebans see it that way.

Antigone

They do, too, but for you they hold their tongues.

Creon

Are you not ashamed that your beliefs differ from theirs?
510

Antigone

No, there is nothing shameful in respecting your own flesh and blood.

Creon

Was not he your brother too, who died in the opposite cause?

Antigone

A brother by the same mother and the same father.

Creon

Why, then, do you pay a service that is disrespectful to him?

Antigone

The dead man will not support you in that.
515

Creon

Yes, he will, if you honor him equally with the wicked one.

Antigone

It was his brother, not his slave, who died.

Creon

But he died ravaging this land, while he fell in its defense.

Antigone

Hades craves these rites, nevertheless.

Creon

But the good man craves a portion not equal to the evil’s.
520

Antigone

Who knows but that these actions are pure to those below?

Creon

You do not love someone you have hated, not even after death.

Antigone

It is not my nature to join in hate, but in love.

Creon

Then, go down to hell and love them

if you must. While I live, no woman will rule me.
525

526

Enter Ismene from the house, led in by two attendants.

Chorus

Look, here comes Ismene from the palace, shedding the tears of a loving sister. A cloud over her eyes mars her red-flushed face,

and it breaks into rain on her comely cheek.
530

531

Creon

You who were lurking like a viper in my own house and secretly gulping up my life’s blood, while I was oblivious that I was nurturing two plagues, two revolutions against my throne—tell me now, will you also affirm

your share in this burial, or will you forswear all knowledge of it?
535

Ismene

I performed the deed—as long as she concurs—and I share and carry the burden of guilt.

Antigone

No, justice will not permit you to do this, since you were not willing to help with the deed, nor did I give you a part in it.

Ismene

But now with this sea of troubles around you, I am not ashamed to sail in a sea of suffering at your side.
540

Antigone

As to whose deed it is, Hades and the dead are witnesses. A friend in words is not the type of friend I love.

Ismene

No, sister, do not strip me of death’s honor,

but let me die with you and make due consecration to the dead.
545

Antigone

Do not share my death. Do not claim deeds to which you did not put your hand. My death will suffice.

Ismene

And how can I cherish life, once I am deprived of you?

Antigone

Ask Creon. Your concern is for him.

Ismene

Why do you torture me like this, when it does not help you?
550

Antigone

No, if I mock you, it is to my own pain that I do so.

Ismene

Tell me, how can I help you, even now?

Antigone

Save yourself. I do not grudge your escape.

Ismene

Ah, misery! Will I fall short of sharing your fate?

Antigone

Your choice was to live, it was mine to die.
555

556

Ismene

At least your choice was not made without my protests.

Antigone

One world approved your wisdom, another approved mine.

Ismene

Nevertheless, the offense is identical for both of us.

Antigone

Take heart! You live. But my life has long been

in Death’s hands so that I might serve the dead.
560

Creon

One of these maidens, I declare, has just revealed her foolishness; the other has displayed it from the moment of her birth.

Ismene

Yes, Creon. Whatever amount of reason nature may have given them does not remain with those in dire straits, but goes astray.

Creon

Yours did, I know, when you chose dire actions with dire allies.
565

Ismene

What life would there be for me alone, without her presence?

Creon

Do not speak of her presence. She lives no longer.

Ismene

What? You will kill your own son’s bride?

Creon

Why not? There are other fields for him to plough.

Ismene

But not fitted to him as she was.
570

Creon

I abhor an evil wife for my son.

Antigone

Haemon, dearest! How your father wrongs you!

Creon

Enough! Enough of you and of your marriage!

Chorus

Will you really cheat your son of this girl?

Creon

Death it is who will end these bridals for me.
575

Chorus

Then it seems that it is resolved that she will die.

Creon

Resolved, yes, for you and by me. To the two Attendants. No more delay! Servants, take them inside! Hereafter they must be women, and not left at large.

For it is known that even the brave seek to flee, when they see Death now closing on their life. Exeunt Attendants, guarding Antigone and Ismene. Creon remains.
580

Commentary

Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))

mvp-comment-95-1 ἐγὼ . . δή ¹

mvp-comment-95-2 κράτη ²

mvp-comment-95-3 γένους κατ’ ἀγχιστεῖα τῶν ὀλ. ³

mvp-comment-96-1 ἀμήχανον δέ ⁴ δέ ⁵ δέ ⁶

mvp-comment-96-2 Demosthenes, in his speech on the Embassy (343 B.C.), quotes this passage (vv. 175—190) as illustrating maxims

mvp-comment-96-3 which Aeschines had violated, though, accustomed as he had been to play tritagonists' parts, he ought to have known them by heart (or. 19 § 247).

mvp-comment-97-1 ψυχήν ⁷ φρόνημα ⁸ γνώμην ⁹

Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus

172. mvp-comment-105-1 αὐτόχειρι Fratricidal. See Essay on Language p. 91.

174. mvp-comment-106-1 γένους κατ᾿ ἀγχιστεῖα By privilege of being nearest in kindred (ὡς ἀγχιστεύων) to the dead. Cp. πρωτεία, etc.

175. mvp-comment-107-1 παντὸς ἀνδρός Of any man, and therefore of me.

176. mvp-comment-108-1 ψυχήν. . φρόνημα.. γνώμην As observed in the Essay on Language pp. 91-3, the opposition between these words is chiefly formal. So far as there is any difference between them, ψυχήν is mind, or nature, φρόνημα, spirit, or way of thinking, (cp. infr. 207), and γνώμην, judgment or meaning.

176-177. mvp-comment-109-1 πρὶν ἂν ἀρχαῖς.. φανῇ “Until he be seen in his true colours through being tried in office and administration.' According to the saying of Bias, ἀρχὴ τὸν ἄνδρα δείξει (Arist. Eth. Nic. 5. 1. 16). There is an allusion to the detection of spurious coin through wear. Cp. Aesch. Ag. 390-392, κακοῦ δὲ χαλκοῦ τρόπον | τρίβῳτε καὶ προσβολαῖς | μελαμπαγὴς πέλει | δικαιωθείς (where Herm. says, 'Vereor autem ne non de lapide Lydio loquatur poeta, sed aes adulterinum dicat, quod usu tritum amisso falso splendore cognoscitur'): Hdt. 7. 10, ὥσπερ τὸν χρυσὸν τὸν ἀκήρατον, αὐτὸν μὲν ἐπ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ οὐ διαγινώσκομεν, ἐπεὰν δὲ

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Current edition Experimental

Χορός

Hast thou trangressed the laws, and art thou ta'en In this adventurous deed, unhappy maid ?

Antigone Scene IV.

Que el que ejecute tales cosas no participe ni de mi hogar ni de mi pensamiento. 1 (Vése aparecer nuevamente al centinel·la trayendo prisionera á Antígona.) Vése aparecer nuevamente al centinela trayendo prisionera á Antigona.

Guard Here is she, the one who did the deed. We caught this one burying him. Where is Creon? 385

Chorus There, he is coming from the house again at our need.

Creon What is it? What has happened that makes my coming timely?

Creon Your prisoner here—how and where did you take her?

Guard She was burying the man. You know all there is to tell.

Creon Are you clear and sure about what you are saying?

Guard I am. I saw her burying the corpse that you had forbidden to bury. Is that plain and sufficient? 405

Creon And how was she observed? How taken in the act?

Creon You, you with your face bent to the ground, do you admit, or deny that you did this?

Antigone I declare it and make no denial.

Creon To the Guard. You can take yourself wherever you please, free and clear of a heavy charge. Exit Guard. 445

To Antigone. You, however, tell me—not at length, but briefly—did you know that an edict had forbidden this?

Antigone I knew it. How could I not? It was public.

Creon And even so you dared overstep that law?

Chorus She shows herself the wild offspring of a wild father, and does not know how to bend before troubles.

Antigone What more do you want than to capture and kill me?

Creon I want nothing else. Having that, I have everything.

Creon You alone out of all these Thebans see it that way.

Antigone They do, too, but for you they hold their tongues.

Creon Are you not ashamed that your beliefs differ from theirs? 510

Antigone No, there is nothing shameful in respecting your own flesh and blood.

Creon Was not he your brother too, who died in the opposite cause?

Antigone A brother by the same mother and the same father.

Creon Why, then, do you pay a service that is disrespectful to him?

Antigone The dead man will not support you in that. 515

Creon Yes, he will, if you honor him equally with the wicked one.

Antigone It was his brother, not his slave, who died.

Creon But he died ravaging this land, while he fell in its defense.

Antigone Hades craves these rites, nevertheless.

Creon But the good man craves a portion not equal to the evil’s. 520

Antigone Who knows but that these actions are pure to those below?

Creon You do not love someone you have hated, not even after death.

Antigone It is not my nature to join in hate, but in love.

Creon Then, go down to hell and love them if you must. While I live, no woman will rule me. 525

Chorus Look, here comes Ismene from the palace, shedding the tears of a loving sister. A cloud over her eyes mars her red-flushed face, and it breaks into rain on her comely cheek. 530

Creon You who were lurking like a viper in my own house and secretly gulping up my life’s blood, while I was oblivious that I was nurturing two plagues, two revolutions against my throne—tell me now, will you also affirm your share in this burial, or will you forswear all knowledge of it? 535

Ismene I performed the deed—as long as she concurs—and I share and carry the burden of guilt.

Antigone No, justice will not permit you to do this, since you were not willing to help with the deed, nor did I give you a part in it.

Ismene But now with this sea of troubles around you, I am not ashamed to sail in a sea of suffering at your side. 540

Antigone As to whose deed it is, Hades and the dead are witnesses. A friend in words is not the type of friend I love.

Ismene No, sister, do not strip me of death’s honor, but let me die with you and make due consecration to the dead. 545

Antigone Do not share my death. Do not claim deeds to which you did not put your hand. My death will suffice.

Ismene And how can I cherish life, once I am deprived of you?

Antigone Ask Creon. Your concern is for him.

Ismene Why do you torture me like this, when it does not help you? 550

Antigone No, if I mock you, it is to my own pain that I do so.

Ismene Tell me, how can I help you, even now?

Antigone Save yourself. I do not grudge your escape.

Ismene Ah, misery! Will I fall short of sharing your fate?

Antigone Your choice was to live, it was mine to die. 555

Ismene At least your choice was not made without my protests.

Antigone One world approved your wisdom, another approved mine.

Ismene Nevertheless, the offense is identical for both of us.

Antigone Take heart! You live. But my life has long been in Death’s hands so that I might serve the dead. 560

Creon One of these maidens, I declare, has just revealed her foolishness; the other has displayed it from the moment of her birth.

Ismene Yes, Creon. Whatever amount of reason nature may have given them does not remain with those in dire straits, but goes astray.

Creon Yours did, I know, when you chose dire actions with dire allies. 565

Ismene What life would there be for me alone, without her presence?

Creon Do not speak of her presence. She lives no longer.

Ismene What? You will kill your own son’s bride?

Creon Why not? There are other fields for him to plough.

Ismene But not fitted to him as she was. 570

Creon I abhor an evil wife for my son.

Antigone Haemon, dearest! How your father wrongs you!

Creon Enough! Enough of you and of your marriage!

Chorus Will you really cheat your son of this girl?

Creon Death it is who will end these bridals for me. 575

Chorus Then it seems that it is resolved that she will die.

Commentary

Stable identifiers

Hast thou trangressed the laws, and art thou ta'en

In this adventurous deed, unhappy maid ?

Antigone
Scene IV.

Que el que ejecute tales cosas no participe ni de mi hogar ni de mi pensamiento.¹ (Vése aparecer nuevamente al centinel·la trayendo prisionera á Antígona.)

Vése aparecer nuevamente al centinela trayendo prisionera á Antigona.

Guard

Here is she, the one who did the deed.

We caught this one burying him. Where is Creon?
385

Chorus

There, he is coming from the house again at our need.

Creon

What is it? What has happened that makes my coming timely?

Creon

Your prisoner here—how and where did you take her?

Guard

She was burying the man. You know all there is to tell.

Creon

Are you clear and sure about what you are saying?

Guard

I am. I saw her burying the corpse that you

had forbidden to bury. Is that plain and sufficient?
405

Creon

And how was she observed? How taken in the act?

Creon

You, you with your face bent to the ground, do you admit, or deny that you did this?

Antigone

I declare it and make no denial.

Creon
To the Guard.

You can take yourself wherever you please,

free and clear of a heavy charge. Exit Guard.
445

To Antigone.

You, however, tell me—not at length, but briefly—did you know that an edict had forbidden this?

Antigone

I knew it. How could I not? It was public.

Creon

And even so you dared overstep that law?

Chorus

She shows herself the wild offspring of a wild father, and does not know how to bend before troubles.

Antigone

What more do you want than to capture and kill me?

Creon

I want nothing else. Having that, I have everything.

Creon

You alone out of all these Thebans see it that way.

Antigone

They do, too, but for you they hold their tongues.

Creon

Are you not ashamed that your beliefs differ from theirs?
510

Antigone

No, there is nothing shameful in respecting your own flesh and blood.

Creon

Was not he your brother too, who died in the opposite cause?

Antigone

A brother by the same mother and the same father.

Creon

Why, then, do you pay a service that is disrespectful to him?

Antigone

The dead man will not support you in that.
515

Creon

Yes, he will, if you honor him equally with the wicked one.

Antigone

It was his brother, not his slave, who died.

Creon

But he died ravaging this land, while he fell in its defense.

Antigone

Hades craves these rites, nevertheless.

Creon

But the good man craves a portion not equal to the evil’s.
520

Antigone

Who knows but that these actions are pure to those below?

Creon

You do not love someone you have hated, not even after death.

Antigone

It is not my nature to join in hate, but in love.

Creon

Then, go down to hell and love them

if you must. While I live, no woman will rule me.
525

Chorus

Look, here comes Ismene from the palace, shedding the tears of a loving sister. A cloud over her eyes mars her red-flushed face,

and it breaks into rain on her comely cheek.
530

Creon

You who were lurking like a viper in my own house and secretly gulping up my life’s blood, while I was oblivious that I was nurturing two plagues, two revolutions against my throne—tell me now, will you also affirm

your share in this burial, or will you forswear all knowledge of it?
535

Ismene

I performed the deed—as long as she concurs—and I share and carry the burden of guilt.

Antigone

No, justice will not permit you to do this, since you were not willing to help with the deed, nor did I give you a part in it.

Ismene

But now with this sea of troubles around you, I am not ashamed to sail in a sea of suffering at your side.
540

Antigone

As to whose deed it is, Hades and the dead are witnesses. A friend in words is not the type of friend I love.

Ismene

No, sister, do not strip me of death’s honor,

but let me die with you and make due consecration to the dead.
545

Antigone

Do not share my death. Do not claim deeds to which you did not put your hand. My death will suffice.

Ismene

And how can I cherish life, once I am deprived of you?

Antigone

Ask Creon. Your concern is for him.

Ismene

Why do you torture me like this, when it does not help you?
550

Antigone

No, if I mock you, it is to my own pain that I do so.

Ismene

Tell me, how can I help you, even now?

Antigone

Save yourself. I do not grudge your escape.

Ismene

Ah, misery! Will I fall short of sharing your fate?

Antigone

Your choice was to live, it was mine to die.
555

Ismene

At least your choice was not made without my protests.

Antigone

One world approved your wisdom, another approved mine.

Ismene

Nevertheless, the offense is identical for both of us.

Antigone

Take heart! You live. But my life has long been

in Death’s hands so that I might serve the dead.
560

Creon

One of these maidens, I declare, has just revealed her foolishness; the other has displayed it from the moment of her birth.

Ismene

Yes, Creon. Whatever amount of reason nature may have given them does not remain with those in dire straits, but goes astray.

Creon

Yours did, I know, when you chose dire actions with dire allies.
565

Ismene

What life would there be for me alone, without her presence?

Creon

Do not speak of her presence. She lives no longer.

Ismene

What? You will kill your own son’s bride?

Creon

Why not? There are other fields for him to plough.

Ismene

But not fitted to him as she was.
570

Creon

I abhor an evil wife for my son.

Antigone

Haemon, dearest! How your father wrongs you!

Creon

Enough! Enough of you and of your marriage!

Chorus

Will you really cheat your son of this girl?

Creon

Death it is who will end these bridals for me.
575

Chorus

Then it seems that it is resolved that she will die.