export_ofoct.com_Audio Denoise

[00:00.41] The gods watched as Oedipus’ daughter, Antigone, stole out of the palace in Thebes the morning after a devastating battle.

[00:10.50] Antigone was on a dangerous mission to do what she felt was right, though it meant risking her life.

[00:18.47] Oedipus had been king of Thebes, and his exile sent the city into chaos.

[00:25.11] His younger son, Eteocles, claimed power for himself and sought to banish his older brother Polyneices.

[00:33.34] The two incited a bitter war, and both brothers fell at the city gates.

[00:39.72] Oedipus’ brother-in-law, Creon, declared himself the new king, having first aligned himself with Eteocles and denounced Polyneices as a traitor.

[00:54.86] Now, he ordered that Polyneices be denied burial, leaving his body on the battleground, surrounded by guards and circled by vultures.

[01:04.96] Anyone who violated his proclamation would be stoned to death.

[01:06.28] Antigone and her sister, Ismene, were at their uncle’s mercy.

[01:10.53] The fact that Antigone was betrothed to Creon’s son, Haemon, seemed to earn her no favor.

[01:17.44] Despite the dangers, Antigone secretly visited her sister and whispered her intentions to honor their brother through burial.

[01:25.14] In doing so, she would be defying Creon but abiding by divine law, which insisted that one must bury one's own flesh and blood.

[01:34.44] When Ismene refused to join her, insisting that girls shouldn’t disobey men, Antigone set out alone.

[01:42.94] She knelt by Polyneices’ corpse, undetected, and began sprinkling it with dust.

[01:49.85] When the guards realized and reported the disturbance, Creon ordered them to find the man who so defiantly committed the crime.

[01:57.28] At midday, Antigone returned to perform a more complete burial, when suddenly a thick dust storm whirled onto the plain and choked out the sky, as if conjured by the gods to aid her.

[02:12.16] Creon's guards, blinded and disoriented, didn't see as Antigone's stole into their midst and covered her brother’s body with more earth and water.

[02:22.52] As the tempest dissipated, the soldiers were shocked to see that the culprit was a girl, and the princess no less.

[02:32.35] Creon barraged Antigone with accusations and insults.

[02:36.87] Hoping to protect her sister, Ismene confessed to the crime. But Antigone was steadfast.

[02:44.30] She insisted she’d acted alone and according to divine laws.

[02:49.35] Haemon urged his father to be reasonable and merciful.

[02:54.13] But Creon was convinced forgiving Antigone would be a critical admission of weakness.

[02:59.71] He spared Ismene, but ignored his son’s unremitting pleas.

[03:04.76] To evade direct blame for the young princess’ death, Creon ordered a passive execution: Antigone would be shut away in an underground cave.

[03:17.24] As the guards dragged the sisters away, Ismene was filled with remorse, wishing to die by Antigone’s side.

[03:24.68] Creon maintained his show of power and Thebes fell into a fearful state of mourning.

[03:31.85] But then Creon was visited by the wise, blind prophet Tiresias.

[03:37.69] He told Creon that his hubris was polluting Thebes, and the underworld’s fiercely avenging divine Furies were lying in wait should he not yield.

[03:48.58] At last, Creon ordered his guards to free Antigone and to bury Polyneices.

[03:54.69] But he had delayed too long— and it would cost him dearly.

[04:00.27] Haemon had just reached Antigone’s prison, determined to save her.

[04:05.85] Descending into the underground chamber, he discovered with horror his beloved fiancée hanging from her wedding veil.

[04:14.09] Moments later, when Creon entered, he was met by Haemon’s broken, hateful glare.

[04:22.05] Haemon spat in his father’s face, drew his sword, and lunged.

[04:27.63] But as Creon dodged the thrust, Haemon turned the blade upon himself and wrapped his arms around Antigone, in one last tragic embrace.

[04:39.05] Word of Haemon and Antigone’s deaths reached Thebes before Creon’s return.

[04:45.96] And upon hearing the devastating news, the queen took her own life at an altar, cursing her husband with her dying breaths.

[04:56.32] Failing to yield to Antigone’s righteous rebellion, Creon, in all his pride, had learned his lesson too late.

[05:05.35] Anguished, hands bloodied, and all hopes dashed, Creon’s attendants led him back into the palace.