8/18/2019 Anouilh Passage

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Chr   Dialogue PgCreon She has spoken now. All Thebes knows what she’s

done. I must have her put to death.

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H (tearing himself free). Let me go!

Pause. They stand facing one another.

Chorus (approaching). Can’t you think of something -

say she’s mad, have her shut up?

Creon They’ll say it isn’t true. That I’m sparing her

 because she was going to marry my son. I can’t.Chorus Can’t you try to gain time, and have her escape,

tomorrow?Creon

 The mob knows already. They’re all round thepalace, yelling. I can’t turn back.

H  The mob! What does it matter? You’re the

master!

Creon Under the law. Not against it.

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H But I’m your son – you can’t let them take her

away from me!

Creon Yes, my boy – I can. Come now – courage!

 Antigone can’t go on living. She’s already left us.

H  And do you think I can go on living, without

her? Do you think I’m going to accept that life you talk

about? Ever day, morn till night, without her? All

 your bustle and blather, all your emptiness… without

her?

Creon You’ll have to. To every man there comes a day,

soon or late, sad or happy, when at last he has to accept

that he’s a man. For you that day’s 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

 you turn away and go through that door, it will be over.H (drawing back; low). It’s over already.

Creon Don’t judge me, Haemon. Don’t you judge me

8/18/2019 Anouilh Passage

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too.H (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

really you, do you think?

Creon (humbly). Yes.

H  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 who’s supposed to consider

himself lucky just to be alive?Creon Yes.

52H (crying out like a child, throwing himself into

Creon’sarms). Oh, Father, it isn’t true, it isn’t you, it

isn’t happening! We’re not both driven into a corner

 where we can only say yes! You’re still strong, like

 when I was small. I beg you, let me admire you still! I’m

too alone, the world’s too empty, if I have to stop

looking up to you.

Creon ( putting him away). We are alone. The world is

empty. And you’ve looked up to your father too long.

Look me straight in the eyes. That’s what it means to be

a man.

H (looks at him, then recoils, and bursts out).

 Antigone! Antigone! Help!