ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Antigone. Sophocles. Leipzig. 1979.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by Tufts University.
Table of Contents
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Search the Perseus Catalog for:
Current edition Experimental
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) (Greek) (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979))
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (9)
Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν
1
αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Antigone (OCR draft) Experimental (Antigone) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 1 focus
ὦ κοινὸν αὐτάδελφον Ἰσμήνης κάρα,
1
Translations (11)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 1 focus
ANTIGONE
O treu verbundnes Schwesterhaupt, Ismene, sprich,
1
weifst du, daſs Zeus der Leiden uns von Oedipus
keins unvollendet schon bei unserm Leben läfst?
Denn nichts ist schmerzlich, nichts - des unheilvollen Gräuls
nicht zu gedenken nichts entehrend, schimpflich nichts,
5
was ich in deiner Noth und meiner nicht gesehn.
Und welchen Ausspruch, sagt man, hat nun eben erst
der Herrscher allem Volke wieder kund gethan?
Weifst du davon? vernahmst du's? oder blieb dir fremd,
daſs unsern Freunden von den Feinden Übel nahn?
10
O treu verbundnes Schwesterhaupt, Ismene, sprich,
1
weifst du, daſs Zeus der Leiden uns von Oedipus
keins unvollendet schon bei unserm Leben läfst?
Denn nichts ist schmerzlich, nichts - des unheilvollen Gräuls
nicht zu gedenken nichts entehrend, schimpflich nichts,
5
was ich in deiner Noth und meiner nicht gesehn.
Und welchen Ausspruch, sagt man, hat nun eben erst
der Herrscher allem Volke wieder kund gethan?
Weifst du davon? vernahmst du's? oder blieb dir fremd,
daſs unsern Freunden von den Feinden Übel nahn?
10
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 1 focus
Antígona
1
¡Oh compañera cabecita de mi propia hermana Ismena! ¿No sabes que de las maldiciones de Edipo no quedará ninguna a la cual Júpiter no dé cumplimiento en vida nuestra? Porque nada hay más doloroso, ni ominoso, ni torpe, ni deshonroso que no haya visto yo en tus desgracias y en las mías. Y ahora, ¿cuál es ese nuevo pregón que dicen ha publicado por toda la ciudad el reciente jefe? ¿Estás enterada de algo que hayas oído? ¿O ignoras los males que los enemigos han dispuesto contra los nuestros?
1
¡Oh compañera cabecita de mi propia hermana Ismena! ¿No sabes que de las maldiciones de Edipo no quedará ninguna a la cual Júpiter no dé cumplimiento en vida nuestra? Porque nada hay más doloroso, ni ominoso, ni torpe, ni deshonroso que no haya visto yo en tus desgracias y en las mías. Y ahora, ¿cuál es ese nuevo pregón que dicen ha publicado por toda la ciudad el reciente jefe? ¿Estás enterada de algo que hayas oído? ¿O ignoras los males que los enemigos han dispuesto contra los nuestros?
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 1 focus
Antigone
1
O coniunctum mihi germanum Ismenes caput, ecquid nosti calamitatum ab Oedipo ortarum, quod nobis in vita nondum confecerit Iupiter?
nihil est enim triste, non sine divina calamitate, nec turpe, neque ignominiosum , quod tuis malis meisque adiunctum non viderim.
Et nunc quid illud est rursus, quod ab urbis rectore aiunt universis civibus propositum fuisse edictum?
tenesne, et inaudisti quidpiam , an te latet grassans in amicos inimicorum iniuria?
1
O coniunctum mihi germanum Ismenes caput, ecquid nosti calamitatum ab Oedipo ortarum, quod nobis in vita nondum confecerit Iupiter?
nihil est enim triste, non sine divina calamitate, nec turpe, neque ignominiosum , quod tuis malis meisque adiunctum non viderim.
Et nunc quid illud est rursus, quod ab urbis rectore aiunt universis civibus propositum fuisse edictum?
tenesne, et inaudisti quidpiam , an te latet grassans in amicos inimicorum iniuria?
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 1 focus
ANTIGONE
ANTIGONE. ISMENE.
1
Own sister of my blood, one life with me,
1
Ismenè, have the tidings caught thine ear?
Say, hath not Heaven decreed to execute
On thee and me, while yet we are alive,
All the evil Oedipus bequeathed? All horror,
5
All pain, all outrage, falls on us! And now
The General’s proclamation of to-day—
Hast thou not heard?—Art thou so slow to hear
When harm from foes threatens the souls we love?
Own sister of my blood, one life with me,
1
Ismenè, have the tidings caught thine ear?
Say, hath not Heaven decreed to execute
On thee and me, while yet we are alive,
All the evil Oedipus bequeathed? All horror,
5
All pain, all outrage, falls on us! And now
The General’s proclamation of to-day—
Hast thou not heard?—Art thou so slow to hear
When harm from foes threatens the souls we love?
German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (J. J. C. Donner, 1875; OCR review)) — 1 focus
Ismene, traute Schwester, vielgeliebtes Haupt,
1
1
Weißt du von einem Leide, das vom Vater her
Zeus nicht an uns vollendet, die wir leben noch?
Denn keinen Jammer gibt es, nichts Entsezliches,
Nichts Arges, nichts Schmachvolles, das ich nicht bereits
5
In deiner Noth gesehen und in meiner Noth.
Und welche Botschaft, heißt es, ließ jezt eben erst
Der Herrscher wieder allem Volk verkündigen?
Weißt du's, vernahmst du's, oder blieb dir unbekannt,
Daß unsern Lieben Böses naht von Feindesmacht?
10
Ismene, traute Schwester, vielgeliebtes Haupt,
1
1
Weißt du von einem Leide, das vom Vater her
Zeus nicht an uns vollendet, die wir leben noch?
Denn keinen Jammer gibt es, nichts Entsezliches,
Nichts Arges, nichts Schmachvolles, das ich nicht bereits
5
In deiner Noth gesehen und in meiner Noth.
Und welche Botschaft, heißt es, ließ jezt eben erst
Der Herrscher wieder allem Volk verkündigen?
Weißt du's, vernahmst du's, oder blieb dir unbekannt,
Daß unsern Lieben Böses naht von Feindesmacht?
10
Ismene.
Zu mir gelangte keine Kund', Antigone,
Von unsern Lieben, frohe nicht noch traurige,
Seitdem das Paar der Brüder uns entrissen ward,
Die Eines Tages fielen durch zwiefachen Mord.
Und seit in dieser jüngsten Nacht sich Argos' Heer
15
Zur Flucht gewendet, wurde mir nichts weiter kund,
Nicht, ob mir mehr des Glückes, ob des Leides ward.
Zu mir gelangte keine Kund', Antigone,
Von unsern Lieben, frohe nicht noch traurige,
Seitdem das Paar der Brüder uns entrissen ward,
Die Eines Tages fielen durch zwiefachen Mord.
Und seit in dieser jüngsten Nacht sich Argos' Heer
15
Zur Flucht gewendet, wurde mir nichts weiter kund,
Nicht, ob mir mehr des Glückes, ob des Leides ward.
Antigone.
Wohl wußt' ich das, und führte deßhalb dich heraus
Zum Thor des Hofes, dir allein es kundzuthun.
Wohl wußt' ich das, und führte deßhalb dich heraus
Zum Thor des Hofes, dir allein es kundzuthun.
Ismene.
Was hast du? Sichtbar wogt in dir ein schweres Wort.
20
Was hast du? Sichtbar wogt in dir ein schweres Wort.
20
Antigone.
Hat Kreon nicht dem Einen Bruder nur gegönnt
Des Grabes Ehre, jenem sie schmachvoll versagt?
Den Eteokles hat er, wie man sagt, gerecht
Gerechter Ordnung huldigend, in der Erde Schooß
Geborgen, daß ihm Ehre sei im Todtenreich;
2
25
Doch Polyneikes' jammervoll entseelten Leib
Verbot er, heißt es, allem Volk durch lauten Ruf
Im Grab zu bergen und um ihn zu klagen; nein,
Daliegen soll er unbeweint, grablos, ein Mahl
Den Vögeln, die zum süßen Raube niederschau'n.
30
Und solches, sagt man, ließ der edle Kreon dir
Und mir, ich sage mir sogar, verkündigen;
Er komme selbst, es deutlich Allen kundzuthun,
Die nicht davon vernommen, und er achte nicht
Für Nichts die Sache; sondern wer deß Eines thut,
35
Den trifft an offner Stätte Tod durch Steinigung.
So ward's von ihm beschlossen, und du zeigst sofort,
Ob edel, ob unedel du von Edlen stammst.
Hat Kreon nicht dem Einen Bruder nur gegönnt
Des Grabes Ehre, jenem sie schmachvoll versagt?
Den Eteokles hat er, wie man sagt, gerecht
Gerechter Ordnung huldigend, in der Erde Schooß
Geborgen, daß ihm Ehre sei im Todtenreich;
2
25
Doch Polyneikes' jammervoll entseelten Leib
Verbot er, heißt es, allem Volk durch lauten Ruf
Im Grab zu bergen und um ihn zu klagen; nein,
Daliegen soll er unbeweint, grablos, ein Mahl
Den Vögeln, die zum süßen Raube niederschau'n.
30
Und solches, sagt man, ließ der edle Kreon dir
Und mir, ich sage mir sogar, verkündigen;
Er komme selbst, es deutlich Allen kundzuthun,
Die nicht davon vernommen, und er achte nicht
Für Nichts die Sache; sondern wer deß Eines thut,
35
Den trifft an offner Stätte Tod durch Steinigung.
So ward's von ihm beschlossen, und du zeigst sofort,
Ob edel, ob unedel du von Edlen stammst.
Ismene.
English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Francklin, 1758–1759)) — 1 focus
Antigone
1
O my dear sister, my best-beloved Ismene .'
1
Is there an evil, by the tvrath of Jove
1
Reserved for Ql]dipus' unhappy race,
We have not felt already ? Sorrow and shame,
And bitterness and anguish, all that's sad.
All that's distressful, hath been ours, and now
This dreadful edict from the tyrant comes
5
To double our misfortunes. Hast thou heard
What harsh commands he hath imposed on all.
Or art thou still to know what future ills
Our foes have vet in store to make us wretched ?
When by each otlier's hand our brothei's fell,
And Greece dismissed her armies^ I have heard
Naught that could give or joy or grief to me.
10
O my dear sister, my best-beloved Ismene .'
1
Is there an evil, by the tvrath of Jove
1
Reserved for Ql]dipus' unhappy race,
We have not felt already ? Sorrow and shame,
And bitterness and anguish, all that's sad.
All that's distressful, hath been ours, and now
This dreadful edict from the tyrant comes
5
To double our misfortunes. Hast thou heard
What harsh commands he hath imposed on all.
Or art thou still to know what future ills
Our foes have vet in store to make us wretched ?
When by each otlier's hand our brothei's fell,
And Greece dismissed her armies^ I have heard
Naught that could give or joy or grief to me.
10
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 1 focus
ANTÍGONA
1
¡Ismena, hermana mía! ¿Hay uno sólo de los males reservados á la raza de Edipo con el que no nos haya afligido el cielo á nosotras, míseras que aún vivimos? No, no hay dolor, ni humillación, ni oprobio que no hayamos probado (¡y sin culpa!) en la serie de nuestras desgracias. Y ahora, ¿qué edicto es ese que acaba de hacer publicar el rey en toda la ciudad? ¿No lo sabes? ¿No ha llegado á tus oídos? ¿O las nuevas desgracias que amenazan á nuestros amigos se te ocultan?
1
¡Ismena, hermana mía! ¿Hay uno sólo de los males reservados á la raza de Edipo con el que no nos haya afligido el cielo á nosotras, míseras que aún vivimos? No, no hay dolor, ni humillación, ni oprobio que no hayamos probado (¡y sin culpa!) en la serie de nuestras desgracias. Y ahora, ¿qué edicto es ese que acaba de hacer publicar el rey en toda la ciudad? ¿No lo sabes? ¿No ha llegado á tus oídos? ¿O las nuevas desgracias que amenazan á nuestros amigos se te ocultan?
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 1 focus
ANTIGONAE
Gemeinsamschwesterliches! o Ismenes Haupt!
1
Weisst du etwas, das nicht der Erde Vater
Erfuhr, mit uns, die wir bis hieher leben,
Ein Nennbares, seit Oedipus gehascht ward?
Nicht eine traur’ge Arbeit, auch kein Irrsaal,
5
Und schändlich ist, und ehrlos nirgend eines,
Das ich in deinem, meinem Unglück nicht gesehn.
Jetzt aber, ahnest du das, was der Feldherr
Uns kundgethan, in offner Stadt, so eben?
Hast du gehört es? oder weist du nicht,
10
Wie auf die Lieben kommet Feindesübel?
Gemeinsamschwesterliches! o Ismenes Haupt!
1
Weisst du etwas, das nicht der Erde Vater
Erfuhr, mit uns, die wir bis hieher leben,
Ein Nennbares, seit Oedipus gehascht ward?
Nicht eine traur’ge Arbeit, auch kein Irrsaal,
5
Und schändlich ist, und ehrlos nirgend eines,
Das ich in deinem, meinem Unglück nicht gesehn.
Jetzt aber, ahnest du das, was der Feldherr
Uns kundgethan, in offner Stadt, so eben?
Hast du gehört es? oder weist du nicht,
10
Wie auf die Lieben kommet Feindesübel?
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 1 focus
Antigone
1
Ismene, sister, mine own dear sister, knowest thou what ill there is, of all bequeathed by Oedipus, that Zeus fulfils not for us twain while we live? Nothing painful is there, nothing fraught with ruin, no shame, no dishonour, that I have not seen in thy woes and mine.
And now what new edict is this of which they tell, that our Captain hath just published to all Thebes? Knowest thou aught? Hast thou heard? Or is it hidden from thee that our friends are threatened with the doom
10
of our foes?
1
Ismene, sister, mine own dear sister, knowest thou what ill there is, of all bequeathed by Oedipus, that Zeus fulfils not for us twain while we live? Nothing painful is there, nothing fraught with ruin, no shame, no dishonour, that I have not seen in thy woes and mine.
And now what new edict is this of which they tell, that our Captain hath just published to all Thebes? Knowest thou aught? Hast thou heard? Or is it hidden from thee that our friends are threatened with the doom
10
of our foes?
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 1 focus
Ismene
1
My sister, loved Ismene, of the ills
Which sprung from Edipus conceives thy thought
One by the hand of Jove not brought on us
His sole-surviving children? There is nought
39
That sinks the soul with anguish, deep distress,
Shame, and disgrace, but in thy ills and mine
I see it all. E'en now what new decree
Is rumour'd by the Chief as late proclaim'd
Through all the city? Know'st thou? Hast thou heard?
Or art thou unacquainted with the ills
Which from our foes advance against our friends?
To me no tidings of our friends are come,
Pleasing or mournful, since the fatal hour
At once deprived us of our brothers, slain
Each by the other's hand; and this last night
69
The slaughtering sword hath quell'd the Argive host;
Further than this I know not, nor have heard
Aught of good fortune or affliction more.
My sister, loved Ismene, of the ills
Which sprung from Edipus conceives thy thought
One by the hand of Jove not brought on us
His sole-surviving children? There is nought
That sinks the soul with anguish, deep distress,
Shame, and disgrace, but in thy ills and mine
I see it all. E'en now what new decree
Is rumour'd by the Chief as late proclaim'd
Through all the city? Know'st thou? Hast thou heard?
Or art thou unacquainted with the ills
Which from our foes advance against our friends?
To me no tidings of our friends are come,
Pleasing or mournful, since the fatal hour
At once deprived us of our brothers, slain
Each by the other's hand; and this last night
The slaughtering sword hath quell'd the Argive host;
Further than this I know not, nor have heard
Aught of good fortune or affliction more.
English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb2, 1904)) — 1-98 focus
1
39
69
Antigone
Ismene, my sister, true child of my own mother, do you know any evil out of all the evils bequeathed by Oedipus that Zeus will not fulfil for the two of us in our lifetime? There is nothing—no pain, no ruin,
1
no shame, nor dishonor—that I have not seen in your sufferings and mine. And now what is this new edict that they say the general has just decreed to all the city? Do you know anything? Have you heard? Or does it escape you that
5
evils from our enemies are on the march against our friends?
10
Ismene, my sister, true child of my own mother, do you know any evil out of all the evils bequeathed by Oedipus that Zeus will not fulfil for the two of us in our lifetime? There is nothing—no pain, no ruin,
1
no shame, nor dishonor—that I have not seen in your sufferings and mine. And now what is this new edict that they say the general has just decreed to all the city? Do you know anything? Have you heard? Or does it escape you that
5
evils from our enemies are on the march against our friends?
10
Ismene
To me no word of our friends, Antigone, either bringing joy or bringing pain has come since we two were robbed of our two brothers who died in one day by a double blow.
And since the
Argive
army has fled during this night, I have learned nothing further, whether better fortune is mine, or further ruin.
15
To me no word of our friends, Antigone, either bringing joy or bringing pain has come since we two were robbed of our two brothers who died in one day by a double blow.
And since the
Argive
army has fled during this night, I have learned nothing further, whether better fortune is mine, or further ruin.
15
Antigone
I knew it well, so I was trying to bring you outside the courtyard gates to this end, that you alone might hear.
I knew it well, so I was trying to bring you outside the courtyard gates to this end, that you alone might hear.
Ismene
Hear what? It is clear that you are brooding on some dark news.
20
Hear what? It is clear that you are brooding on some dark news.
20
Antigone
Why not? Has not Creon destined our brothers, the one to honored burial, the other to unburied shame? Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he has laid in the earth
for his honor among the dead below. As for the poor corpse of Polyneices, however, they say that an edict has been published to the townsmen that no one shall bury him or mourn him, but instead leave him unwept, unentombed, for the birds a pleasing store
25
as they look to satisfy their hunger. Such, it is said, is the edict that the good Creon has laid down for you and for me—yes, for me—and it is said that he is coming here to proclaim it for the certain knowledge of those who do not already know. They say that he does not conduct this business lightly,
30
but whoever performs any of these rites, for him the fate appointed is death by public stoning among the entire city. This is how things stand for you, and so you will soon show your nature, whether you are noble-minded, or the corrupt daughter of a noble line.
35
39
Why not? Has not Creon destined our brothers, the one to honored burial, the other to unburied shame? Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he has laid in the earth
for his honor among the dead below. As for the poor corpse of Polyneices, however, they say that an edict has been published to the townsmen that no one shall bury him or mourn him, but instead leave him unwept, unentombed, for the birds a pleasing store
25
as they look to satisfy their hunger. Such, it is said, is the edict that the good Creon has laid down for you and for me—yes, for me—and it is said that he is coming here to proclaim it for the certain knowledge of those who do not already know. They say that he does not conduct this business lightly,
30
but whoever performs any of these rites, for him the fate appointed is death by public stoning among the entire city. This is how things stand for you, and so you will soon show your nature, whether you are noble-minded, or the corrupt daughter of a noble line.
35
Ismene
Poor sister, if things have come to this, what would I
profit by loosening or tightening this knot?
40
Poor sister, if things have come to this, what would I
profit by loosening or tightening this knot?
40
Antigone
Consider whether you will share the toil and the task.
Consider whether you will share the toil and the task.
Ismene
What are you hazarding? What do you intend?
What are you hazarding? What do you intend?
Antigone
Will you join your hand to mine in order to lift his corpse?
Will you join your hand to mine in order to lift his corpse?
Ismene
You plan to bury him—when it is forbidden to the city?
You plan to bury him—when it is forbidden to the city?
Antigone
Yes, he is my brother, and yours too, even if you wish it otherwise. I will never be convicted of betraying him.
45
Yes, he is my brother, and yours too, even if you wish it otherwise. I will never be convicted of betraying him.
45
Ismene
Hard girl! Even when Creon has forbidden it?
Hard girl! Even when Creon has forbidden it?
Antigone
No, he has no right to keep me from my own.
No, he has no right to keep me from my own.
Ismene
Ah, no! Think, sister, how our father
perished in hatred and infamy, when, because of the crimes that he himself detected, he smashed both his eyes with self-blinding hand; then his mother-wife, two names in one, with a twisted noose destroyed her life;
50
lastly, our two brothers in a single day, both unhappy murderers of their own flesh and blood, worked with mutual hands their common doom. And now we, in turn—we two who have been left all alone—consider how much more miserably we will be destroyed, if in defiance of the law
55
we transgress against an autocrat’s decree or his powers. No, we must remember, first, that ours is a woman’s nature, and accordingly not suited to battles against men; and next, that we are ruled by the more powerful, so that we must obey in these things and in things even more stinging.
60
I, therefore, will ask those below for pardon, since I am forced to this, and will obey those who have come to authority. It is foolish to do what is fruitless.
65
69
Ah, no! Think, sister, how our father
perished in hatred and infamy, when, because of the crimes that he himself detected, he smashed both his eyes with self-blinding hand; then his mother-wife, two names in one, with a twisted noose destroyed her life;
50
lastly, our two brothers in a single day, both unhappy murderers of their own flesh and blood, worked with mutual hands their common doom. And now we, in turn—we two who have been left all alone—consider how much more miserably we will be destroyed, if in defiance of the law
55
we transgress against an autocrat’s decree or his powers. No, we must remember, first, that ours is a woman’s nature, and accordingly not suited to battles against men; and next, that we are ruled by the more powerful, so that we must obey in these things and in things even more stinging.
60
I, therefore, will ask those below for pardon, since I am forced to this, and will obey those who have come to authority. It is foolish to do what is fruitless.
65
Antigone
I would not encourage you—no, nor, even if you were willing later,
would I welcome you as my partner in this action. No, be the sort that pleases you. I will bury him—it would honor me to die while doing that. I shall rest with him, loved one with loved one, a pious criminal. For the time is greater
70
that I must serve the dead than the living, since in that world I will rest forever. But if you so choose, continue to dishonor what the gods in honor have established.
75
I would not encourage you—no, nor, even if you were willing later,
would I welcome you as my partner in this action. No, be the sort that pleases you. I will bury him—it would honor me to die while doing that. I shall rest with him, loved one with loved one, a pious criminal. For the time is greater
70
that I must serve the dead than the living, since in that world I will rest forever. But if you so choose, continue to dishonor what the gods in honor have established.
75
Ismene
I do them no dishonor. But to act in violation of the citizens’ will—of that I am by nature incapable.
I do them no dishonor. But to act in violation of the citizens’ will—of that I am by nature incapable.
Antigone
You can make that your pretext! Regardless, I will go now to heap a tomb over the brother I love.
80
You can make that your pretext! Regardless, I will go now to heap a tomb over the brother I love.
80
Ismene
Oh no, unhappy sister! I fear for you!
Oh no, unhappy sister! I fear for you!
Antigone
Do not tremble for me. Straighten out your own destiny.
Do not tremble for me. Straighten out your own destiny.
Ismene
Then at least disclose the deed to no one before you do it.
Conceal it, instead, in secrecy—and so, too, will I.
85
Then at least disclose the deed to no one before you do it.
Conceal it, instead, in secrecy—and so, too, will I.
85
Antigone
Go on! Denounce it! You will be far more hated for your silence, if you fail to proclaim these things to everyone.
Go on! Denounce it! You will be far more hated for your silence, if you fail to proclaim these things to everyone.
Ismene
You have a hot heart for chilling deeds.
You have a hot heart for chilling deeds.
Antigone
I know that I please those whom I am most bound to please.
I know that I please those whom I am most bound to please.
Ismene
Yes, if you will also have the power. But you crave the impossible.
90
Yes, if you will also have the power. But you crave the impossible.
90
Antigone
Why then, when my strength fails, I will have finished.
Why then, when my strength fails, I will have finished.
Ismene
An impossible hunt should not be tried in the first place.
An impossible hunt should not be tried in the first place.
Antigone
If you mean that, you will have my hatred, and you will be subject to punishment as the enemy of the dead.
But leave me and the foolish plan I have authored to suffer this terrible thing, for I will not suffer anything so terrible that my death will lack honor.
95
If you mean that, you will have my hatred, and you will be subject to punishment as the enemy of the dead.
But leave me and the foolish plan I have authored to suffer this terrible thing, for I will not suffer anything so terrible that my death will lack honor.
95
Ismene
Go, then, if you so decide. And of this be sure: though your path is foolish, to your loved ones your love is straight and true.
Exit Antigone on the spectators’ left. Ismene exits into the palace.
Go, then, if you so decide. And of this be sure: though your path is foolish, to your loved ones your love is straight and true.
Exit Antigone on the spectators’ left. Ismene exits into the palace.
Commentary
Commentary (R. C. Jebb) (OCR draft) (Commentary (R. C. Jebb))
Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) (Commentary (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) focus
1-17. mvp-comment-1-1 The opening speeches reveal the contrast between the sisters, while the affectionate address of Antigone in l. 1 gives greater emphasis to her violent outbreak in l. 69. Cp. О. Т. 85, and note.
1. mvp-comment-2-1 κοινόν not only means Of common parentage, but has the further significance of common interests and feelings. See Essay on Language p. 96, and for αὐτάδελφον (where the compound merely adds a pathetic emphasis), Essay on Language p. 91, 6. Ismene, my own sister, who sharest all with me. Antigone and Ismene were united by a common grief in an affection Dearer than the natural bond of sisters.