He is a proud but benevolent, kindly king and is recognised as such by his subjects. He wears the golden garland and staff of a king. The centre door of the palace opens and Oedipus enters. He is holding a priest’s staff, which, like the seer’s has a thick rope of cotton wrapped around its upper end.Ĭhorus Oedipus! Oedipus our Lord, help us! Help your people! Standing in front of them, is the Priest. They show suffering and exhaustion under the intense heat. This group of Thebans comprise all ages and both sexes. The lights are switched on again, and again at an overwhelming intensity. The sound of the ancient drums rises again. Small pause before the stage is overwhelmingly lit, symbolising a land ravaged by drought and heat and the assertive and brutal presence of the god Apollo.Īpart from the palace props and the altars at the back, the stage is empty. The calls overwhelm the drums and for a moment the drums are heard only faintly. Oedipus! Oedipus our Lord, help us! Help your people! While stage is dark, we hear the soft but ominous sounds of ancient drums and a flute, mingled with the many loud groans of hunger and pain as well as calls for Oedipus’ help: The altar at SL is dedicated to Apollo (Jocasta will make use of this) and that on SR to Zeus (used by the Chorus) The palace stands three or four steps above the rest of the stage and on either side of it there is a small but obvious altar. In front of King Oedipus’ palace, in Thebes. ISMENE (Antigone and Ismene are daughters and sisters to Oedipus) Under no circumstances should any of this work be used as part of a collage, which includes the work of other writers or translators. For use by any theatrical, educational or cinematic organisation, however, including a non-commercial one, permission must be sought. This work may be freely reproduced, stored and transmitted, electronically or otherwise, for any non-commercial purpose. Translated by George Theodoridis © Copyright 2005, all rights reserved - Bacchicstage ‘Sophocles’ - 'Greek Dramas' (p149, 1900): Internet Archive Book Images

Antigone modern translation