A sentry brings Antigone to Creon, retelling how he and his men wiped the corpse clean of the dust from the first burial rite and then how they caught Antigone trying to bury Polynices again. Antigone proudly proclaims her guilt to Creon, but also declares that the king had no authority to forbid burial. In disobeying Creon, Antigone claims obedience to a higher law.
The attendants drag Ismene before Creon. When she claims to have helped in the burial, Antigone denies that her sister had any role in the rebellious act. Ismene pleads with Creon to spare her sister’s life for the sake of his son Haemon, who is engaged to marry Antigone. Creon refuses and announces his intention to execute Antigone for disobeying his order.
