Antigone
Eteocles and Polynices, Antigone and Ismene’s brothers, killed each other in fighting for ownership of the land of Thebes. Eteocles is put to rest via a proper burial, whereas Polynices is to go unburied as a form of punishment. Antigone is determined to bury her brother, Polynices, as she believes he should be buried honorably as Eteocles was. However, her sister, Ismene, tells Antigone that this action will not go unpunished. Ismene tells Antigone that if she indeed buries Polynices, the punishment is death. Antigone doesn’t care, and says she will bury him anyway, as it is the right thing to do; she asks Ismene to help her in the act, but Ismene refuses saying that she will have no part in this scheme, she will not choose death like Antigone so chooses.
Eteocles died defending Thebes from Polynices, who fought against the city and nearly brought about its destruction. This is why Eteocles was given a proper burial upon his death whereas Polynices was left to rot above the earth and not below it. Creon decides that this is the just route to take.
A sentry brings a message to Creon that is urgent, but he is afraid to relate the news because he doesn’t know how the king will react to it. He finally tells Creon that an unknown person has properly buried Polynices. The Chorus suggests that the gods may have done this on their own, but Creon disagrees with this saying that the gods would never do such a thing for a traitor like Polynices. Creon grows suspicious that one of the sentries watching over the burial grounds took a bribe to defy the law/rule of Creon,and illegally buried Polynices. He begins to suspect the current sentry of this crime and threatens him saying that if the real criminal is not found out, he will put the sentry to death. The sentry, in his innocence, is totally freaked out by this and leaves.
The chorus sings about men and their powers, but how men should not always make choices of their own accord, but rather listen to the gods who are the real powers in the world and abide by the laws and rules of their lands.
The sentry returns with Antigone. The sentry tells Creon that he and the other sentries dug up Polynices and left him to lie there. They were then caught up in a storm, but when the storm passed they saw Antigone bent over Polynices, attempting to rebury him. The sentries caught her and asked her if she was the one who originally buried Polynices, and she said she was; she denied nothing they accused her of. And again, when Creon asks her if she committed this crime, she replies that she did, and denies no accusation cast upon her. Creon lets the sentry go, free of all charges and suspicions, and asks Antigone if she was aware of his strict rule that none shall bury Polynices. Antigone replies that she was well aware of this rule, but doesn’t believe she did any wrong by the gods. She says she only broke the rule of Creon, who she believes to be unjust anyway. Creon calls up Ismene and then sentences both sisters to death. Antigone says that her burying Polynices was an honorable act and therefore, she will gladly die for it. She says that most of the town has taken her side against the king’s on the issue, they are just too afraid to confront the king about it. Creon asks Antigone if she thought that burying Polynices was an insult to her other brother Eteocles because they were enemies, and she replies that both brothers, despite their motives, deserve proper burials. She does not want to hold any grudges, but to love. Ismene then says that she will share her sister’s punishment although she had to no part in the rule breaking. Antigone, however, tells Ismene not to do this and that she is a coward for not helping until now and still wanting to die in glory. Ismene still tries to save Antigone by appealing to Creon’s softer side and bringing his son into play because Haemon and Antigone are promised to one another for marriage. Creon, however, does not soften under her words, and orders that the two sisters be tied up and taken away.
The chorus sings a song about how Oedipus’ house is now again full of sadness, death, and deception.
Haemon learns of Antigone’s arrest, and Creon speaks to him about it. Haemon says that he would abide by his father over any woman, and that he is loyal to his father. Haemon also says that the town does not want Antigone to be punished for a deed that is seemingly honorable in most aspects. Creon gets mad at this, that his own people be questioning his ruling/decisions. Haemon then tells Creon that he is shallow and too proud which only infuriates Creon further. Creon then begins to insult Haemon, and the two begin to argue. In doing this, Haemon hints that Creon’s killing Antigone could bring about the death of another person. Creon, enraged, asks for Antigone to be brought out and murdered right infront of Haemon’s eyes, but Haemon gets out of there fast. Creon then decides that Ismene should not have to die, but Antigone will die slowly, locked inside of a tomb alive.
The Chorus sings about love and its powers and how it cannot be overthrown by weapons or warfare and can drive people to insanity. The chorus regards Antigone’s “nobility” as sheer pride as she walks to her tomb.
On the way to her tomb, Antigone declares that she would not have broken Creon’s rule if the person that was not to be buried was her husband or her child because both of those can be replaced. However, a brother whose parents are dead could not be replaced, and that is her justification of the whole situation. She is put into the tomb, and the Chorus sings about other figures in myth who have been put in tombs alive to die, just like Antigone is now.
Tiresias, the blind prophet, is led in by a boy who describes to him everything he sees. The boy is eyes for the both of them. Creon asks for Tiresias’ advice, and Tiresias tells him that his actions towards Polynices’ burial and death punishment for Antigone will make the gods send a “curse” down on Thebes and all who inhabit it. Creon gets angry at this and says that accuses Tiresias of being a blind fool who gives poor advice. Tiresias tells Creon that the gods are to take care of the dead, whether they are honorable or dishonorable; the gods are to decide that. People are limited to rule only within the world’s boundaries. Tiresias, insulted by Creon, asks the boy to lead him away from there. However, Tiresias’ prophecy has shaken up the Chorus and Creon also admits to being a little weary of what is to come. Creon decides he will do what the people of Thebes think he should do. The people tell him to free Antigone of her sad fate, and Creon goes off to do so. The Chorus begins to pray for the protection of Thebes because he is scared about that Tiresias’ prophecy will come true.
A messenger enters and tells the Chorus that Haemon has killed himself. Eurydice, wife to Creon, mother to Haemon, overhears part of the messenger’s news and asks to hear it all, and she says she can bear it no matter how grieving the news may be. The messenger relays the news of her now deceased son who had been heard wailing and crying at the sight of Antigone, who had hung herself in her tomb. Haemon was heard wailing by Creon who had been reburying Polynices, and Creon had gone done to the tomb to see what the sound was. Haemon had then taken a sword and made a plunge for Creon, but Creon ran away. Haemon then plunged the sword into his own self. After hearing this news, Eurydice walks silently back into the palace.
Creon enters the palace, holding Haemon’s body and blaming himself for his death. The messenger then tells Creon that Eurydice has committed suicide due to her extreme grief of her son’s death. The messenger tells Creon that Eurydice blamed Creon for all the death and destruction that had take place due to his extreme pride; this she did just before she stabbed herself in the heart. Creon, overwhelmed by grief, prays and begs for death.
The Chorus sings a song about how the gods are not especially appreciative of the proud and hold no rewards for such persons.
Eteocles died defending Thebes from Polynices, who fought against the city and nearly brought about its destruction. This is why Eteocles was given a proper burial upon his death whereas Polynices was left to rot above the earth and not below it. Creon decides that this is the just route to take.
A sentry brings a message to Creon that is urgent, but he is afraid to relate the news because he doesn’t know how the king will react to it. He finally tells Creon that an unknown person has properly buried Polynices. The Chorus suggests that the gods may have done this on their own, but Creon disagrees with this saying that the gods would never do such a thing for a traitor like Polynices. Creon grows suspicious that one of the sentries watching over the burial grounds took a bribe to defy the law/rule of Creon,and illegally buried Polynices. He begins to suspect the current sentry of this crime and threatens him saying that if the real criminal is not found out, he will put the sentry to death. The sentry, in his innocence, is totally freaked out by this and leaves.
The chorus sings about men and their powers, but how men should not always make choices of their own accord, but rather listen to the gods who are the real powers in the world and abide by the laws and rules of their lands.
The sentry returns with Antigone. The sentry tells Creon that he and the other sentries dug up Polynices and left him to lie there. They were then caught up in a storm, but when the storm passed they saw Antigone bent over Polynices, attempting to rebury him. The sentries caught her and asked her if she was the one who originally buried Polynices, and she said she was; she denied nothing they accused her of. And again, when Creon asks her if she committed this crime, she replies that she did, and denies no accusation cast upon her. Creon lets the sentry go, free of all charges and suspicions, and asks Antigone if she was aware of his strict rule that none shall bury Polynices. Antigone replies that she was well aware of this rule, but doesn’t believe she did any wrong by the gods. She says she only broke the rule of Creon, who she believes to be unjust anyway. Creon calls up Ismene and then sentences both sisters to death. Antigone says that her burying Polynices was an honorable act and therefore, she will gladly die for it. She says that most of the town has taken her side against the king’s on the issue, they are just too afraid to confront the king about it. Creon asks Antigone if she thought that burying Polynices was an insult to her other brother Eteocles because they were enemies, and she replies that both brothers, despite their motives, deserve proper burials. She does not want to hold any grudges, but to love. Ismene then says that she will share her sister’s punishment although she had to no part in the rule breaking. Antigone, however, tells Ismene not to do this and that she is a coward for not helping until now and still wanting to die in glory. Ismene still tries to save Antigone by appealing to Creon’s softer side and bringing his son into play because Haemon and Antigone are promised to one another for marriage. Creon, however, does not soften under her words, and orders that the two sisters be tied up and taken away.
The chorus sings a song about how Oedipus’ house is now again full of sadness, death, and deception.
Haemon learns of Antigone’s arrest, and Creon speaks to him about it. Haemon says that he would abide by his father over any woman, and that he is loyal to his father. Haemon also says that the town does not want Antigone to be punished for a deed that is seemingly honorable in most aspects. Creon gets mad at this, that his own people be questioning his ruling/decisions. Haemon then tells Creon that he is shallow and too proud which only infuriates Creon further. Creon then begins to insult Haemon, and the two begin to argue. In doing this, Haemon hints that Creon’s killing Antigone could bring about the death of another person. Creon, enraged, asks for Antigone to be brought out and murdered right infront of Haemon’s eyes, but Haemon gets out of there fast. Creon then decides that Ismene should not have to die, but Antigone will die slowly, locked inside of a tomb alive.
The Chorus sings about love and its powers and how it cannot be overthrown by weapons or warfare and can drive people to insanity. The chorus regards Antigone’s “nobility” as sheer pride as she walks to her tomb.
On the way to her tomb, Antigone declares that she would not have broken Creon’s rule if the person that was not to be buried was her husband or her child because both of those can be replaced. However, a brother whose parents are dead could not be replaced, and that is her justification of the whole situation. She is put into the tomb, and the Chorus sings about other figures in myth who have been put in tombs alive to die, just like Antigone is now.
Tiresias, the blind prophet, is led in by a boy who describes to him everything he sees. The boy is eyes for the both of them. Creon asks for Tiresias’ advice, and Tiresias tells him that his actions towards Polynices’ burial and death punishment for Antigone will make the gods send a “curse” down on Thebes and all who inhabit it. Creon gets angry at this and says that accuses Tiresias of being a blind fool who gives poor advice. Tiresias tells Creon that the gods are to take care of the dead, whether they are honorable or dishonorable; the gods are to decide that. People are limited to rule only within the world’s boundaries. Tiresias, insulted by Creon, asks the boy to lead him away from there. However, Tiresias’ prophecy has shaken up the Chorus and Creon also admits to being a little weary of what is to come. Creon decides he will do what the people of Thebes think he should do. The people tell him to free Antigone of her sad fate, and Creon goes off to do so. The Chorus begins to pray for the protection of Thebes because he is scared about that Tiresias’ prophecy will come true.
A messenger enters and tells the Chorus that Haemon has killed himself. Eurydice, wife to Creon, mother to Haemon, overhears part of the messenger’s news and asks to hear it all, and she says she can bear it no matter how grieving the news may be. The messenger relays the news of her now deceased son who had been heard wailing and crying at the sight of Antigone, who had hung herself in her tomb. Haemon was heard wailing by Creon who had been reburying Polynices, and Creon had gone done to the tomb to see what the sound was. Haemon had then taken a sword and made a plunge for Creon, but Creon ran away. Haemon then plunged the sword into his own self. After hearing this news, Eurydice walks silently back into the palace.
Creon enters the palace, holding Haemon’s body and blaming himself for his death. The messenger then tells Creon that Eurydice has committed suicide due to her extreme grief of her son’s death. The messenger tells Creon that Eurydice blamed Creon for all the death and destruction that had take place due to his extreme pride; this she did just before she stabbed herself in the heart. Creon, overwhelmed by grief, prays and begs for death.
The Chorus sings a song about how the gods are not especially appreciative of the proud and hold no rewards for such persons.
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