Summary

The Chorus laments what is about to happen as Antigone comes out of the palace, prepared for her journey to the cave and speaking of her regret at not being supported. The Chorus reminds her that she is dying with dignity, but Antigone again cries out that she is dying “with no friend’s mourning … alive to the place of corpses … never at home with the living nor with the dead.” The Chorus suggests that she might, in fact, be living through another manifestation of the curse that ended her father’s life, and Antigone admits that this is her greatest fear. The Chorus praises her independence, but reminds her that, in not obeying the law, she has brought about her own death.

As Antigone prepares to leave, Creon comes out of the palace, suggesting that Antigone is trying to talk her way into...