μιᾷ θανόντοιν ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Antigone. Sophocles. ed. Francis Storr. London. 1912.
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Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.
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Current edition Experimental
Ἀντιγόνη (Greek) (Sophocles, Volume 1. Storr, Francis, editor. London; New York: William Heinemann Ltd.; The Macmillan Company, 1912.)
Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.
Editions (11)
Greek (L. Benloew, 1858) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (L. Benloew, 1858)) — 14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντων ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί
1
·
Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντων ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντων ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (Lewis Campbell, 1879)) — 14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντων ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (A. Colonna, 1978) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Colonna, 1978)) — 14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντων ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (A. Dain, 1955) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. Dain, 1955)) — 14.mvp-line-14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντων ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. D. Dawe, 1979)) — 14 focus
μιᾶι θανόντοιν ἡμέραι διπλῆι χερί·
Greek (G. Hermann, 1830) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (G. Hermann, 1830)) — 14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντων ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (R. C. Jebb, 1906)) — 14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντοιν ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (A. C. Pearson, 1924)) — 14.mvp-line-14 focus
μιᾷ θανόντοιν ἡμέρᾳ διπλῇ χερί·
Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949) (OCR draft) Experimental (Greek (K. Reinhardt, 1949)) — 14 focus
μιᾶι θανόντων ἡμέραι διπλῆι χερί·
Translations (11)
German (A. Boeckh, 1884) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (A. Boeckh, 1884)) — 14 focus
ANTIGONE
Mich abzuhalten von dem Meinen ziemt ihm nicht.
Mich abzuhalten von dem Meinen ziemt ihm nicht.
Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (J. A. Bolufer, 1921)) — 14 focus
Ismena
¡Ay de mí! Reflexiona, hermana, que nuestro padre murió aborrecido e infamado,
depues
después que, por los
peçados
pecados que en sí mismo había descubierto, se arrancó los ojos él mismo con su propia mano. También su madre y mujer —nombres que se contradicen— con un lazo de trenza se quitó la vida. Y como tercera desgracia, nuestros dos hermanos en un mismo día se degüellan los desdichados, dándose muerte uno a otro con sus propias manos. Y ahora que solas quedamos nosotras dos, considera de qué manera más infame moriremos si con desprecio de la ley desobedecemos la orden y autoridad del tirano. Pues preciso es pensar ante todo que somos mujeres, para no querer luchar contra los hombres; y luego, que estamos bajo la autoridad de los superiores, para obedecer estas órdenes y otras más severas. Lo que
ês
es yo, rogando a los que están bajo tierra que me tengan indulgencia, como que cedo contra mi voluntad, obedeceré a los que están en el poder; porque el querer hacer más que lo que uno puede, no es cosa razonable.
¡Ay de mí! Reflexiona, hermana, que nuestro padre murió aborrecido e infamado,
depues
después que, por los
peçados
pecados que en sí mismo había descubierto, se arrancó los ojos él mismo con su propia mano. También su madre y mujer —nombres que se contradicen— con un lazo de trenza se quitó la vida. Y como tercera desgracia, nuestros dos hermanos en un mismo día se degüellan los desdichados, dándose muerte uno a otro con sus propias manos. Y ahora que solas quedamos nosotras dos, considera de qué manera más infame moriremos si con desprecio de la ley desobedecemos la orden y autoridad del tirano. Pues preciso es pensar ante todo que somos mujeres, para no querer luchar contra los hombres; y luego, que estamos bajo la autoridad de los superiores, para obedecer estas órdenes y otras más severas. Lo que
ês
es yo, rogando a los que están bajo tierra que me tengan indulgencia, como que cedo contra mi voluntad, obedeceré a los que están en el poder; porque el querer hacer más que lo que uno puede, no es cosa razonable.
Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806) (OCR draft) Experimental (Latin (F. H. Bothe, 1806)) — 14 focus
Ismene
Hei mihi! revoca in animum, soror, pater ut nobis periit odiosus infamisque, qui, patefactis piaculis, propria sibi manu oculos effodit:
tum illius mater eademque uxor, geminum titulum sustinens , tortis laqueis sibi vitam ademit:
tertium vero fratres duo una die, semet occidentes miseri, necem sibi invicem intulere mutuis manibus:
nunc tandem nos duae solae relictae , considera, quam pessimis exemplis periturae simus, si, more violato, edictum regis vel imperia transgrediamur.
Sane igitur hoc cogitare oportet, feminas nos esse, haud viris certare pares,
et quoniam sumus subditae potentioribus, et in his rebus obtemperare, aliisque adhuc acerbioribus.
Proinde ego Manes inferos, ut veniam dent, precata, quia vi huc compellor, summam rerum obtinentibus morem geram:
nam maiora viribus aggredi, dementia est.
Hei mihi! revoca in animum, soror, pater ut nobis periit odiosus infamisque, qui, patefactis piaculis, propria sibi manu oculos effodit:
tum illius mater eademque uxor, geminum titulum sustinens , tortis laqueis sibi vitam ademit:
tertium vero fratres duo una die, semet occidentes miseri, necem sibi invicem intulere mutuis manibus:
nunc tandem nos duae solae relictae , considera, quam pessimis exemplis periturae simus, si, more violato, edictum regis vel imperia transgrediamur.
Sane igitur hoc cogitare oportet, feminas nos esse, haud viris certare pares,
et quoniam sumus subditae potentioribus, et in his rebus obtemperare, aliisque adhuc acerbioribus.
Proinde ego Manes inferos, ut veniam dent, precata, quia vi huc compellor, summam rerum obtinentibus morem geram:
nam maiora viribus aggredi, dementia est.
English (Lewis Campbell, 1906) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Lewis Campbell, 1906)) — 14 focus
ISM
Ah, sister, think but how our father fell,
Hated of all and lost to fair renown,
Through self-detected crimes—with his own hand,
50
Self-wreaking, how he dashed out both his eyes:
Then how the mother-wife, sad two-fold name!
With twisted halter bruised her life away,
Last, how in one dire moment our two brothers
With internecine conflict at a blow
55
Wrought out by fratricide their mutual doom.
Now, left alone, O think how beyond all
Most piteously we twain shall be destroyed,
If in defiance of authority
We traverse the commandment of the King!
60
We needs must bear in mind we are but women,
Never created to contend with men;
Nay more, made victims of resistless power,
To obey behests more harsh than this to-day.
I, then, imploring those beneath to grant
65
Indulgence, seeing I am enforced in this,
Will yield submission to the powers that rule,
Small wisdom were it to overpass the bound.
Ah, sister, think but how our father fell,
Hated of all and lost to fair renown,
Through self-detected crimes—with his own hand,
50
Self-wreaking, how he dashed out both his eyes:
Then how the mother-wife, sad two-fold name!
With twisted halter bruised her life away,
Last, how in one dire moment our two brothers
With internecine conflict at a blow
55
Wrought out by fratricide their mutual doom.
Now, left alone, O think how beyond all
Most piteously we twain shall be destroyed,
If in defiance of authority
We traverse the commandment of the King!
60
We needs must bear in mind we are but women,
Never created to contend with men;
Nay more, made victims of resistless power,
To obey behests more harsh than this to-day.
I, then, imploring those beneath to grant
65
Indulgence, seeing I am enforced in this,
Will yield submission to the powers that rule,
Small wisdom were it to overpass the bound.
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)) — 14 focus
Antigone
69
Wert thou to proffer what I do not ask— <
Thy poor assistance — I would scorn it now.
Let me perform but that, and death is welcome :
70
I'll do the pious deed, and lay me down
By my dear brother. Loving and beloved
We'll rest together ; to the powers below
'Tis fit we pay obedience ; longer there
We must remain than we can breathe on earth.
75
There I shall dwell for ever; thou, meantime,
What the gods hold most precious mayst despise.
Wert thou to proffer what I do not ask— <
Thy poor assistance — I would scorn it now.
Let me perform but that, and death is welcome :
70
I'll do the pious deed, and lay me down
By my dear brother. Loving and beloved
We'll rest together ; to the powers below
'Tis fit we pay obedience ; longer there
We must remain than we can breathe on earth.
75
There I shall dwell for ever; thou, meantime,
What the gods hold most precious mayst despise.
Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889) (OCR draft) Experimental (Spanish (A. G. Garbin, 1889)) — 14 focus
ISMENA
¡Ay! Acuérdate, hermana, que nuestro padre se nos murió aborrecido y cargado de oprobio después de haberse arrancado con su propia airada mano los ojos, en castigo de los crímenes horrendos por él mismo sorprendidos; que después su madre, á la par madre y esposa, acabó afrentosamente su vida con un nudo fatal;—y por último, que nuestros dos hermanos, en un solo día ¡desdichados! cumplieron su común destino, dándose recíproca muerte con sus propias manos. Reflexiona, pues, con cuánta ignominia pereceríamos las dos, hoy abandonadas y solas, si rebeldes á la ley, osáramos quebrantar ese decreto, y desafiar el poder de los príncipes;—es preciso tener en cuenta que hemos nacido débiles mujeres, incapaces de luchar contra los hombres; que, gobernadas por los que son más fuertes que nosotras, tenemos que rendirles obediencia, así en esta como en otras cosas más crueles aún y dolorosas. Por mi parte, después de pedir á los difuntos que me perdonen, si cedo á la violencia, me someteré á la autoridad de los magistrados constituidos en poder; pues sería insensatez pretender ejecutar lo que excede de nuestras fuerzas.
¡Ay! Acuérdate, hermana, que nuestro padre se nos murió aborrecido y cargado de oprobio después de haberse arrancado con su propia airada mano los ojos, en castigo de los crímenes horrendos por él mismo sorprendidos; que después su madre, á la par madre y esposa, acabó afrentosamente su vida con un nudo fatal;—y por último, que nuestros dos hermanos, en un solo día ¡desdichados! cumplieron su común destino, dándose recíproca muerte con sus propias manos. Reflexiona, pues, con cuánta ignominia pereceríamos las dos, hoy abandonadas y solas, si rebeldes á la ley, osáramos quebrantar ese decreto, y desafiar el poder de los príncipes;—es preciso tener en cuenta que hemos nacido débiles mujeres, incapaces de luchar contra los hombres; que, gobernadas por los que son más fuertes que nosotras, tenemos que rendirles obediencia, así en esta como en otras cosas más crueles aún y dolorosas. Por mi parte, después de pedir á los difuntos que me perdonen, si cedo á la violencia, me someteré á la autoridad de los magistrados constituidos en poder; pues sería insensatez pretender ejecutar lo que excede de nuestras fuerzas.
German (F. Hölderlin, 1804) (OCR draft) Experimental (German (F. Hölderlin, 1804)) — 14 focus
ISMENE
O mir! bedenke, Schwester, wie der Vater,
Von uns, verhalst und ruhmlos untergangen,
Nach selbstverschuldeten Verirrungen ,
Da er sein Augenpaar mit eigner Hand zerstochen.
Und dann die Mutter, Ehefrau zugleich,
55
Ein doppelt Leiden, mit gewundnen Striken
Verstümmelte das Leben sie. Zum dritten
Die beiden Brüder, die an Einem Tage
Verwandten Tod mit Gegnershand bewirket.,
Und nun wir zwei, die wir allein geblieben,
60
Sieh, wie am schlimmsten wir vergiengen, wenn
Gewaltsam wir des Herrn Befehl und Kraft
Verfehlten. Difs auch denke, Weiber sind wir,
Und dürfen so nicht gegen Männer streiten.
Und dann auch, weil von Stärkern wir beherrscht sind,
65
So müssen wir diess hören; Härters noch!
Ich also bitte sie, die drunten sind,
Mir zu verzeihen, dass mir diess geschieht,
Und lafs sie walten, die da ferne gehen,
Denn Ueberflüfsiges zu thun, ist sinnlos.
70
O mir! bedenke, Schwester, wie der Vater,
Von uns, verhalst und ruhmlos untergangen,
Nach selbstverschuldeten Verirrungen ,
Da er sein Augenpaar mit eigner Hand zerstochen.
Und dann die Mutter, Ehefrau zugleich,
55
Ein doppelt Leiden, mit gewundnen Striken
Verstümmelte das Leben sie. Zum dritten
Die beiden Brüder, die an Einem Tage
Verwandten Tod mit Gegnershand bewirket.,
Und nun wir zwei, die wir allein geblieben,
60
Sieh, wie am schlimmsten wir vergiengen, wenn
Gewaltsam wir des Herrn Befehl und Kraft
Verfehlten. Difs auch denke, Weiber sind wir,
Und dürfen so nicht gegen Männer streiten.
Und dann auch, weil von Stärkern wir beherrscht sind,
65
So müssen wir diess hören; Härters noch!
Ich also bitte sie, die drunten sind,
Mir zu verzeihen, dass mir diess geschieht,
Und lafs sie walten, die da ferne gehen,
Denn Ueberflüfsiges zu thun, ist sinnlos.
70
English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Sir Richard Jebb1, 1904)) — 14 focus
Ismene
Ah me! think, sister, how our father perished, amid hate and scorn, when sins bared by his own search had moved him to strike both eyes with self-blinding hand; then the mother wife, two names in one, with twisted noose did despite unto her life; and last, our two brothers in one day,—each shedding, hapless one, a kinsman’s blood,—wrought out with mutual hands their common doom. And now we in turn—we two left all alone—think how we shall perish, more miserably
60
than all the rest, if, in defiance of the law, we brave a king’s decree or his powers. Nay, we must remember, first, that we were born women, as who should not strive with men; next, that we are ruled of the stronger, so that we must obey in these things, and in things yet sorer. I, therefore, asking the Spirits Infernal to pardon, seeing that force is put on me herein, will hearken to our rulers; for ’tis witless to be over busy.
Ah me! think, sister, how our father perished, amid hate and scorn, when sins bared by his own search had moved him to strike both eyes with self-blinding hand; then the mother wife, two names in one, with twisted noose did despite unto her life; and last, our two brothers in one day,—each shedding, hapless one, a kinsman’s blood,—wrought out with mutual hands their common doom. And now we in turn—we two left all alone—think how we shall perish, more miserably
60
than all the rest, if, in defiance of the law, we brave a king’s decree or his powers. Nay, we must remember, first, that we were born women, as who should not strive with men; next, that we are ruled of the stronger, so that we must obey in these things, and in things yet sorer. I, therefore, asking the Spirits Infernal to pardon, seeing that force is put on me herein, will hearken to our rulers; for ’tis witless to be over busy.
English (Robert Potter, 1788) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Robert Potter, 1788)) — 14 focus
Messenger
CREON, MESSENGER, CHORUS.
I will not say, O king, that I am come
With hasten'd step, and breathless through my speed;
For oft I paused, deep-musing, on my way,
And oft wheel'd round with purpose to return.
My soul with many a forceful argument
Thus reason'd with me, "Why in evil hour
"Goest thou where punishment awaits thee?---Wretch,
"Wilt thou stay lingering here? Should Creon know
" This from some other, how wilt thou escape
"His vengeance?" ---Musing thus with anxious thought,
And a slow pace, I made a short way long.
240
At length it was decided I should come.
240
E'en though I tell thee nothing, I will speak;
240
For I am come confiding in the hope
240
Nothing awaits me more than is decreed.
240
I will not say, O king, that I am come
With hasten'd step, and breathless through my speed;
For oft I paused, deep-musing, on my way,
And oft wheel'd round with purpose to return.
My soul with many a forceful argument
Thus reason'd with me, "Why in evil hour
"Goest thou where punishment awaits thee?---Wretch,
"Wilt thou stay lingering here? Should Creon know
" This from some other, how wilt thou escape
"His vengeance?" ---Musing thus with anxious thought,
And a slow pace, I made a short way long.
240
At length it was decided I should come.
240
E'en though I tell thee nothing, I will speak;
240
For I am come confiding in the hope
240
Nothing awaits me more than is decreed.
240
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.
14. mvp-comment-12-1 μιᾷ.. διπλῇ Essay on Language p. 69.