نمايشنامه هاي انگليسي Antigone

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The Chorus then prays to Zeus, the highest of all the Greek gods. They realize that man is powerless in the face of Zeus’ might. The Chorus remarks that Zeus has ruled forever.
The Chorus believes that there exists in the world a law of misery which does not spare anyone. Those who are comforted by hope soon begin to desire more and are destroyed by the fire of their desire. The Chorus quotes one of the wise men of ancient Greece as saying that the mind often mistakes evil for good. In this present time and age, the Chorus considers few people to be able to live a life free of troubles.

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Notes
The subdued note that the Chorus strikes in this Stasimon is in sharp contrast to the note of celebration evident in the previous choral song, “Many a wonder lives.” This Choral song sets the mood for the remainder of the play: a mood of solemnity and tragic gloom.
The image of a storm in the sea near Thrace is used to describe the nature of the problems faced by the House of Cadmus. Cadmus was the legendary founder of Thebes and the son of the King of Tyre. He was turned into a serpent and taken to Elysium, and all of his daughters met with disastrous ends. Thus, for a long time, “the stock of Cadmus” has suffered tragedies. Laius, Oedipus’ father, was the great-grandson of Cadmus. When he was the King of Thebes, Laius was killed by his own son, Oedipus, who was ignorant of his father’s identity. Oedipus himself had a tragic life. He unknowingly married his own mother, Jocasta, and ended his life in tragedy. Now it is the turn of Oedipus’ daughter, Antigone, to face death. Already her two brothers have fought against and killed each other. Therefore, as the Chorus rightly puts it, this is a family destined for disaster. The gods do not ever seem to smile kindly on them

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The new smiling light” that the Chorus admires is Antigone, who will soon be lost “in dark Nonentity.” She used to think about the facts surrounding her birth and life. In a way, the Chorus reiterates that she, like her father before her, is destined to die a wretched death.
For the Chorus, it is the gods who control the lives of men. Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, rules men’s lives from the lofty Mount Olympus. Olympus is the highest mountain in Greece. According to Greek mythology, twelve Olympian gods lived on the summit of the mountain

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The Chorus now sounds pessimistic. They believe that misery is endemic to the world in general, and even if hope exists, it soon results in destruction because it gives rise to fatal desires. The days seem full of despair, and one cannot tell the difference between evil and good, for the “angry God” of desire that rules man’s mind also makes him blind to the truth.
Thrace was a region in the northeast of the Balkan Peninsula. Historians believe that Greece owes the beginnings of its music, mythology and philosophy to the early inhabitants of Thrace

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Lines 624-784
The Third Episode:
Creon and Haemon
Summary
The leader of the Chorus announces the arrival of Haemon, Creon’s youngest child. Haemon appears to be mourning since he has heard of Antigone’s misfortune. The leader of the Chorus wonders whether Haemon is mourning because Antigone will be lost in the prime of her youth or because he is to lose a bride.
When Haemon enters, Creon asks him whether he is angry with his father for having sentenced Antigone, Haemon’s “promised bride,” to death, or whether he will unquestioningly accept his father’s will. Haemon mildly responds that he will follow Creon’s orders and that he prefers his father’s “wise government” to the fairest bride

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Creon is pleased with his son’s response and enters into a lengthy monologue on the virtue of having obedient children. He is happy that Haemon has bowed his “constant mind” to his father’s will. A child’s loyalty to his father, remarks Creon, is important because the child can support the father in moments of danger. But a child who is disloyal brings, according to Creon, only sorrow to his unfortunate father. Creon advises Haemon against giving up his own worth for the sake of a woman. He explains that a “wicked wife,” such as Antigone, brings no comfort. He asks Haemon to reject such a woman and to leave her to her wretched fate.

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Antigone was the only one among all the Thebans who refused to submit to Creon’s law. Creon has asserted that she must die, and now he cannot break his “word before the state.” Creon cannot tolerate rebels within his own state. He believes that the law of the state must be respected and obeyed at all costs. His speech now turns into a lecture on the politics of the state. Creon argues that it is law-breakers, like Antigone, who destroy law and order, thereby bringing about the downfall of cities. Such “traitors” cause wars which consequently bring death and destruction. Creon asserts that he must “defend the law” at all costs and not submit to a woman’s will. He declares that he would rather be struck down by a man. The Chorus praises Creon for speaking wisely

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Haemon initially accepts that his father speaks wisely, insofar as he (Creon) is concerned with protecting the safety of the state. But Haemon warns Creon that the citizens of Thebes are unhappy that their monarch has condemned Antigone to death. Haemon observes that the citizens are unable to speak out against Creon’s decision for fear of pument. The Thebans in the street, reveals Haemon, mourn for Antigone and hold her in high esteem for her glorious deed. They feel that Antigone’s deed merits the highest praise. Haemon labels this unrest among the people as “the dark rumor spreading silently.”

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Haemon declares that his father, a king of high renown, is precious to him. Children glory in their parent’s fame, notes Haemon. Yet he advises Creon against neglecting to take into consideration others’ points of view. Haemon states that the man who presumes he alone is wise is actually a fool. He tells Creon that it is no disgrace to listen to the voice of reason. Haemon cites the example of the tiny plant which yields to the flow of torrential waters in order to save its twigs, while the huge tree, which stubbornly resists the torrent, is swept away. Similarly, Haemon speaks of the mariner who does not loosen the sail when caught in a storm, and consequently causes his vessel to capsize because his sail is too tightly set. Haemon pleads with Creon to relent and accept change, as it is inevitable. Haemon understands that it is good to possess wisdom, but he also recognizes that man is not infallible, as far as his judgment is concerned, and so he must learn to accept criticism

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The Chorus now begins to realize that Haemon’s arguments are correct. The Chorus asks Creon to learn from his son, but it also advises Haemon to be guided by his father. The truth lies somewhere between the two extreme stances adopted by father and son.
King Creon will not tolerate being lectured to by his young son. Haemon responds to this by saying that when it comes to the question of what is right and what is wrong, age makes no difference. Creon asks Haemon whether he (Haemon) considers Antigone to be a criminal. Haemon’s reply is that the whole of Thebes denies the allegation that she has committed a crime. Creon rebukes him by asking, “Am I ruled by Thebes?” Haemon candidly remarks that a single person does not make up a city. Creon now accuses Haemon of defending Antigone, to which Haemon replies that he cares about Creon, his father