Antigone

Sophocles

Sophocles the plays and fragments, Part 3: The Antigone. Jebb, Richard Claverhouse, Sir, translator. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1891.

  1. You do not love someone you have hated, not even after death.
Antigone
  1. It is not my nature to join in hate, but in love.
Creon
  1. Then, go down to hell and love them
  2. if you must. While I live, no woman will rule me.
Enter Ismene from the house, led in by two attendants.
Chorus
  1. Look, here comes Ismene from the palace, shedding the tears of a loving sister. A cloud over her eyes mars her red-flushed face,
  2. and it breaks into rain on her comely cheek.
Creon
  1. 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
  2. your share in this burial, or will you forswear all knowledge of it?
Ismene
  1. I performed the deed—as long as she concurs—and I share and carry the burden of guilt.
Antigone
  1. 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
  1. But now with this sea of troubles around you, I am not ashamed to sail in a sea of suffering at your side.
Antigone
  1. 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
  1. No, sister, do not strip me of death’s honor,
  2. but let me die with you and make due consecration to the dead.
Antigone
  1. Do not share my death. Do not claim deeds to which you did not put your hand. My death will suffice.
Ismene
  1. And how can I cherish life, once I am deprived of you?
Antigone
  1. Ask Creon. Your concern is for him.