Chr

Creon

Dialogue
She has spoken now. All Thebes knows what shes

Chorus

done. I must have her put to death.

(tearing himself free). Let me go!
Pause. They stand facing one another.
(approaching). Cant you think of something -

Creon

say shes mad, have her shut up?

Theyll say it isnt true. That Im sparing her

Chorus

because she was going to marry my son. I cant.

Cant you try to gain time, and have her escape,

Creon

tomorrow?
The mob knows already. Theyre all round the

palace, yelling. I cant turn back.

The mob! What does it matter? Youre the

Creon

master!
Under the law. Not against it.

But Im your son you cant let them take her

Creon

away from me!

Yes, my boy I can. Come now courage!

Antigone cant go on living. Shes already left us.

And do you think I can go on living, without
her? Do you think Im going to accept that life you talk
about? Ever day, morn till night, without her? All
your bustle and blather, all your emptiness without

Creon

her?
Youll have to. To every man there comes a day,
soon or late, sad or happy, when at last he has to accept
that hes a man. For you that days today. For the last
time you stand in front of me as my little son . . . your
eyes brimming, pain in your heart. In a moment, when

H
Creon

you turn away and go through that door, it will be over.

(drawing back; low). Its over already.
Dont judge me, Haemon. Dont you judge me

Pg
50

51

too.
(looking at him, then in a sudden outburst). That
great strength and courage . . . that giant-god who used
to gather me up in his arms & save me from the ghosts was that you? The thrilling smell, the delicious bread in
the lamplight, the evenings when you used to take me
into your study and show me your books was that

Creon
H

really you, do you think?

(humbly). Yes.
And all that trouble, that pride, those books were they only leading up to this? To becoming a man,
as you call it a man whos supposed to consider

Creon
H

himself lucky just to be alive?

Yes.
52
(crying out like a child, throwing himself into
Creons arms). Oh, Father, it isnt true, it isnt you, it
isnt happening! Were not both driven into a corner
where we can only say yes! Youre still strong, like
when I was small. I beg you, let me admire you still! Im
too alone, the worlds too empty, if I have to stop

Creon

looking up to you.
(putting him away). We are alone. The world is
empty. And youve looked up to your father too long.
Look me straight in the eyes. Thats what it means to be

a man.
(looks at him, then recoils, and bursts out).
Antigone! Antigone! Help!