Antigone

Dream's English class has been reading the Greek tragedy, Antigone. We've all been reading parts of it.

While certain to bore, annoy and frustrate teenagers, the play does have many redeeming qualities. I like the references to the gods, the law, leadership, family, country, love, contempt, money, age and the potential of mankind. In particular, the conflicts between and among these values is interesting.

Of course translations from ancient Greek will vary widely. Here is one version on an ode about love:

O love, thou art victor in fight, thou makest all things afraid;
Thou couchest thee softly at night on the cheeks of a maid;
Thou passest the bounds of the sea, and the folds of the fields;
To thee immortal, to thee the ephemeral yields.
Thou maddenest them that possess thee; thou turnest astray
The souls of the just, to oppress them, out of the way;
Thou hast kindled amongst us pride, and the quarrel of kin;
Thou art lord, by the eyes of a bride, and the love-light therein;
Thou sittest assessor with Right; her kingdom thine,
Who sports with invincible might, Aphrodite divine.