I am too late. Antigone has hung herself and Haemon has taken his own life. When I returned with my dear son's body, weighed down by guilt, I was fed yet another tragic piece of news. My lovely wife had committed suicide, first having cried bitterly and cursed at me. Oh, how my heart weeps!

The horror and destruction have I brought upon my family and the kingdom is all my fault. Had I been less proud, less stubborn, and less cruel, my family would not have been doomed with such a curse. My knowledge of this is more than I can bear. I have learned this grievous lesson much too late. Now I must live in misery and repent for what I have done.

Oh dear, what shall I do? Teiresias' terrible prophecy has placed me in such a dilemma. If I do not act quickly, my reputation will be tarnished and death will be imminent. The prophet is never wrong so please, Elders, what advice have you to offer me?

How dare Haemon lecture me? A son must always be loyal to his father yet when Haemon decided to pay me a visit, he merely questioned my leadership and principles and proceeded to call me unwise. Is he unable to understand that anarchy is our worst evil? ..and that any treacherous woman who dares disobey the law is a criminal and shall be looked down upon? He is a woman's slave for defending that criminal! He is too young and naive to understand that, instead, he should be thanking me. There are plenty other women, more loyal and obedient, for him to choose from. He deserves much more than that vile Antigone, and surely, her death will break off their marriage!

Antigone shall now be killed. While I have decided to spare Ismene's life, for she did no wrong, Antigone will be left in the tomb to die alone!

I am shocked and appalled to find it was Antigone who had disobeyed my order. Because she is family, I gave her a chance to deny the deed—to redeem herself and spare her own life. However, she continued in a stubborn and conceited manner, telling me that she was well aware of the law and the consequences of breaking it, but still insisted on acting against it. She then dared tell me that she served not I, but the higher power of the Gods.

Let me tell all of you, though, that eternal laws and morals must sometimes be sacrificed for human laws. Political necessity demands of this. The human law is not only practical, but also rational. Following the law is the only way to enforce the peace and stability we have all been seeking for. Thebes has been cursed with misery for too long! Therefore, it is my duty to reinstate the law. It is my role, as the leader, to restore order even if it means to rule in a firm harsh manner. Family cannot get in the way of doing what is right for the state.

Just as Polynices had committed a crime against the state, so had Antigone. For the good of the state, I now have no choice but to sentence her to death. Ismene will receive the same charges, for she must have conspired with Antigone!

I am outraged! What is this madness? Someone has dared defy the law and buried Polynices' body. The Elders must be delusion if they think the Gods are behind the burial. He knows of Polynices' evil deed and would never honor or approve of it. It must be money. Someone must have bribed some greedy man to bury the body.

If the Guard does not catch this person, he will not live to see another day!

You ask me why I have declared such harsh law?

I ask you, is it fair that I treat both brothers equally when one was loyal to his state while the other was traitorous? Does he, who left our city in a state of destruction, chaos, and misery, deserve to be honored? Does he, who dared ally with others and attack his own hometown, deserve to be honored...? He who committed treason...? No. This is inconceivable. Polynices must be punished for he has lost the respect of Thebes once he spilled the blood of his own blood. He is a traitor—the enemy of the state. Polynices' corpse deserves to be defiled and humiliated while Eteocles' honored. This is the only way to right the wrong that Polynices has committed. This is justice.

Thebes needs to return to a state of normalcy. To peace. Justice. We cannot afford to let our city fall into the hands of a traitor and disrupt this stability once again. We cannot afford anymore death nor misery. We need order.

What a glorious day! This is a moment to be celebrated, to be cherished, for the city of Thebes is safe once again. The Theban victory will finally help retain the peace and joy that has been robbed of us and revive our damaged hope.

Although both sons of my sister, I have decided that Eteocles will be honored for the brave fight he had put up for our homeland while the treacherous Polynices will be disgraced for the bloodshed he had brought upon his own people. Our city needs no more death nor destruction. So I promise, with the power invested in me, I will do whatever it takes to maintain the order that once existed and prevent our city from going astray and falling into anarchy.

Therefore, while Eteocles will be granted with proper burial, Polynices will be left out to rot—for animals to prey on. I demand that no one touch Polynices' wretched body or mourn his shameful death. Whoever dares act against this is a traitor to the state and as a result will be sentenced to death! I will not hesitate to carry out this punishment. My mind will not be easily swayed. I can only hope that I be accepted as your new King, to be able to gain your respect, and to earn the loyalty you have once shown Oedipus.