The lighting is dim. A slow ballad is playing in the background. Voices are heard as the Chorus walks onto stage left. There is a throne in the back center of the stage, in which we see Ismene sitting alone, pondering her role as Queen of Thebes. To her left there is a book on a stand, and to her right a daybed. There are windows to both sides of her, but she ignores them. The chorus quiets, the music fades and the then speaks:
Well, here we are. One year later after the death of her sister Antigone, Ismene sits as Queen. This task should never have been for her, it is not in her blood. Creon felt the same strife as Ismene feels now. He died because of the strife. Ismene is thinking this, thinking of her fate. Thinking of how the crowd of angry Theban peasants took Creon and hung him in the square, for all to see. All to see except Oedipus and Antigone, who should have seen it.
Ismene sits up, and walks over to the book on her stand.
This book that she holds is a diary of her life since the day Eteocles and Polynices were killed. She has kept it well, and remembers all.
A tall, handsome man of twenty walks in, and approaches Ismene. She looks up and gives him a smile, one that does not show deep sincerity.
This is Diomedes, prince of Corinth. He is to marry Ismene tomorrow, but not for love. There is to be no love in Ismene’s cursed life. Her father’s curse was never lifted. She does not know his treachery, Diomedes’ sinister plot.
The chorus exits.
DIOMEDES: Ismene, it is late. Why are you still awake at these hours? You should be
resting, you have a long day ahead tomorrow with our wedding. Come now, shut
your eyes.
ISMENE [looking up with sorrow]: I know, but I still can’t forget Antigone, and her
wedding fate. I have thought this out over and over in my head, but I still can’t
see why I have last regrets. We love each other, right?
DIOMEDES [with slight hesitation]: Of course, otherwise we would not be getting
married tomorrow morning. You just need you rest. Come, I’ll escort you to your
room.
ISMENE: I guess you are right. Nervous, who me?
DIOMEDES: Now that’s my Ismene, always the optimist.
He takes her to her room [offstage], kisses her goodnight, and walks back to the throne room. He sits down in the chair and begins to smile.
DIOMEDES [to himself]: Soon, this will all be mine. I won’t have to listen to her
constant chatter about my ‘impulsive actions’. Tomorrow night on our
honeymoon to Athens, I will leave to gather her flowers, being the loving husband
I am. Tyrea will them come to our room, and kill her, and when I return, the
spoiled brat will be forever out of my mind. Her kingdom will be in my hands,
however. And then it is Piraeus, and then Pátrai, and then Athens! He picks up
her diary. “May 1st, May Day was a beautiful celebration. Flowers and lilies are
everywhere; little children were dancing the May Pole. I am proud to be Queen
of Thebes, to be able to witness this, and have the whole city look up at you in
respect. Now, if I could only give them back the same joys – Antigone would
know what to do. Sister, tell me what to do. No, I know what you would have
done. You would have joined the festivities along side the children, but that’s our
difference…Diomedes seemed very pleased today, the wedding is in a week, and
I can’t wait for that night…Oh Diomedes, I wish you were close now, protecting
me…” he pauses. Stupid fool.
Diomedes walks off stage after replacing the book. The chorus enters and comes center stage as the lights dim and scenery changes.
Poor Ismene, to suffer a fate like her father and sister’s. The family is doomed for eternity; thank the gods she will bear no children of the curse.
The night passes, and Ismene is awoken by her familiar nurse of old.
The stage lights to reveal Ismene’s bedchambers. There is a white bed, with flowers all around. A miniature pond with goldfish swimming in it is in the middle of the room. A bathing pool is to the left of it.
NURSE: Well now miss Ismene, I was worried sick when I saw you were not here last
night.
ISMENE: I was in the throne room, thinking about Antigone, and the wedding. Do you
remember when you used to sing to us as children, nurse?
NURSE: Why, yes, in fact, I do. You used to love that song about Perseus.
ISMENE: Nurse, could you sing that again for me? Just one last time?
NURSE: Why, that is an odd request from the Queen of Thebes! You don’t need a nurse
to sing to you. You need a strong husband who loves you, and Diomedes is just
the young lad!
ISMENE: I think I’m having regrets.
NURSE: Why Ismene, we all do before a wedding. You just need to chipper up, and
think of all the good times ahead of you!
ISMENE: I guess you are right. I’ve given a lot of thought to this wedding, and it is for
the better. Plus, Thebes will become allied with Corinth, which will be
strategically advantageous.
NURSE: Well, that’s a mighty big word for so early in the morning! Get over her and
wash up.
Ismene slowly steps to the wash and the lights dim. The chorus scatters across the stage, and the background changes. Random voices are heard from within the chorus, now acting as a crowd before the Queen’s wedding.
Voice 1: Where is she? This was supposed to start thirty minutes ago!
Voice 2: She’ll be here any minute, women are always late.
Voice 3: Hey, look over at Diomedes.
They turn to see Diomedes approaching from stage right, in royal garb.
Voice 1: If you ask me, he looks like an overdressed bear.
Voice 4: No, more like a rat.
Voice 2: I’d say a wolf.
DIOMEDES [turning to look at them]: Be quiet. I do not have time for the likes of you.
This is not your wedding day.
Voice 5 [mumbling]: Nor is it yours.
Soft music begins to play as the wedding commences.
Ah! Behold the splendor of Ismene! Always the beautiful child of Thebes. Time has turned her into a bloomed flower, and time will make her wilt as well. But no bother with that now, this is a day of joy, for the moment. The wedding vows have been exchanged, and the contract sealed and bound.
They kiss.
Ah, the sweet kiss of the serpent. The poison sinks deeper into the Lilly’s veins, and she is wrapped in his hypnotic spell, along with all of Thebes.
Ismene beams at the crowd of Thebans and Diomedes gives a quick smile. Her grabs her arm and leads her off to their carriage bound for Athens. He seats her, and then gives her another embrace. The carriage begins to pull away, and Nereus looks back during their kiss. A black hooded figure waves at the newly weds, and Nereus slyly smiles, and waves back…
1,494 words
Works Cited
Anouilh, Jean. Antigone. Trans. Lewis Galantière. New York: Random House, 1946.
