Antigone informs her sister Ismene of Creon's edict forbidding the burial of their brother Polyneices. Antigone declares her intention to defy the order and bury him, while Ismene, fearing the consequences, refuses to help and tries to dissuade her sister.
ANTIGONE: 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.
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More from Antigone
Lines 1–99 — Antigone’s Opening Speech
from Antigone
Antigone meets her sister Ismene in secret to discuss the decree of Creon. She reveals the tragic weight of their family history and the new threat facing their brothers' remains.
Antigone's Defiance
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Antigone is brought before King Creon after defying his edict by burying her brother. She boldly defends her actions, citing divine law over mortal decrees, while Creon condemns her to death for her subversion of the state.
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