CLASSIC VERSE NEWS
FROM ANTIGONE
BY SOPHOCLES (442 BC)
CREON: But anyone who’s proud
and violates our laws or thinks she’ll tell
our leaders what to do, a woman like that
wins no praise from me. No. We must obey
whatever man the state puts in charge,
no matter what the issue—great or small,
just or unjust. For there’s no greater evil
than a lack of leadership. That destroys
whole cities, turns households into ruins,
and in war makes soldiers break and run away.
When men succeed, what keeps their lives secure
in almost every case is their obedience.
That’s why they must support those in control,
and never let some woman beat us down.
If we must fall from power, let that come
at some man’s hand—at least, we won’t be called
inferior to any woman.
This passage has been adapted from the translation of Antigone by Ian Johnston of Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
Pictured above is Cindy Sheehan. For news about the march, click the . . .
