Antigone (715-753)

And in the same way the pilot who keeps the sheet of his sail taut and never slackens it, upsets his boat, and voyages thereafter with his decking underwater. Father, give way and allow a change from your rage. For if even from me, a younger man, a worthy thought may be supplied,

by far the best thing, I believe, would be for men to be all-wise by nature. Otherwise—since most often it does not turn out that way—it is good to learn in addition from those who advise you well.

My king, it is right, if he speaks something appropriate, that you should learn from him

and that you, in turn, Haemon, should learn from your father. On both sides there have been wise words.

Men of my age—are we, then, to be schooled in wisdom by men of his?

Not in anything that is not right. But if I am young, you should look to my conduct, not to my years.

Is it worthy conduct to honor disrupters?

I could not urge anyone to show respect for the wicked.

And is she not in the grasp of that disease?

All the people of this city of Thebes deny it.

Shall Thebes prescribe to me how I must rule?

See, there, how you have spoken so much like a child.

Am I to rule this land by the will of another than myself?

That is no city, which belongs to one man.

Does not the city by tradition belong to the man in power?

You would make a fine monarch in a desert.

This boy seems to be fighting on the side of the woman.

If you are a woman, for, to be sure, my concern is for you.

You traitor, attacking your father, accusing him!

Because I see you making a mistake and committing injustice.

Am I making a mistake when I respect my own prerogatives?

Yes. You do not respect them, when you trample on the gods’ honors.

Polluted creature, submitting to a woman!

You will never catch me submitting to shamelessness.

You do. Your every word, after all, pleads her case.

And yours, and mine, and that of gods below.

You can never marry her, not while she is still alive.

Then she will die, and in death destroy another.

What! Does your audacity run to open threats?

How is it a threat to speak against empty plans?