ANTIGONE
A monologue from the
play by Sophocles
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from Greek Dramas. Ed. Bernadotte Perrin. New York: D.
Appleton and Company, 1904. |
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CREON: Yea, this, my son, should by thy heart's fixed
law--in all things to obey thy father's will. 'Tis for this that
men pray to see dutiful children grow up around them in their
homes--that such may requite their father's foe with evil, and
honour, as their father doth, his friend. But he who begets unprofitable
children--what shall we say that he hath sown, but troubles for
himself, and much triumph for his foes? Then do not thou, my
son, at pleasure's beck, dethrone thy reason for a woman's sake;
knowing that this is a joy that soon grows cold in clasping arms--an
evil woman to share thy bed and thy home. For what wound could
strike deeper than a false friend? Nay, with loathing, and as
if she were thine enemy, let this girl go to find a husband in
the house of Hades. For since I have taken her, alone of all
the city, in open disobedience, I will not make myself a liar
to my people--I will slay her. So let her appeal as she will
to the majesty of kindred blood. If I am to nurture mine own
kindred in naughtiness, needs must I bear with it in aliens.
He who does violence to the laws, or thinks to dictate to his
rulers, such a one can win no praise from me. No, whomsoever
the city may appoint, that man must be obeyed, in little things
and great, in just things and unjust; and I should feel sure
that one who thus obeys would be a good ruler no less than a
good subject, and in the storm of spears would stand his ground
where he was set, loyal and dauntless at his comrade's side.
But disobedience is the worst of evils. This it is that ruins
cities; this makes homes desolate; by this, the ranks of allies
are broken into headlong rout: but, of the lives whose course
is fair, the greater part owes safety to obedience. Therefore
we must support the cause of order, and in no wise suffer a woman
to worst us. Better to fall from power, if we must, by a man's
hand; then we should not be called weaker than a woman.
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MONOLOGUES BY SOPHOCLES |
