One of the best known passages in Greek literature is a speech by Antigone in Sophocles, Antigone in which the title-character defends her actions with an appeal to divine laws.

Actually, though, both translations are potentially misleading.

The word in line 308 is actually Zeus, and a reasonable translation in line 6 would be the gods, rather than God.

Many translations of Antigone are available online, and most handle the passage in a less monotheistic fashion than Fitts Fitzgerald.

For example, Jebbs relatively old translation, now in the public domain, translates H Ps lines 307-312 as follows.

Yes; for it was not Zeus that had published me that edict; not such are the laws set among men by the justice who dwells with the gods below; nor deemed I that thy decrees were of such force, that a mortal could override the unwritten and unfailing statutes of heaven.

It had its British premire by the Old Vic Theatre Company at the New Theatre, London, on 10 February 1949.

Produced by Will Jamieson, with Maurice Weightman, Molly Kauffman, Phyllis Taylor, Joyce Scotcher, Rollo Johnson, Will Jamieson, Rupert Bellairs, Ronald Walland, Robin Parker, Douglas Sibbald, John Traylor and B Sismey.

Lighting was by H Alyn Lane and R Parker and W Bruhuber were the stage directors.

It was the last production in the old Proefteater before the building was demolished to make space for the new Drama Department building and the H.B.

Thom Theatre built in 1966.

The production was staged for one night, on 15 May, in the Nasionale Saal in Parow, Cape Town and in September 1965 CAPAB staged the same production in the Hofmeyr Theatre in Cape Town.

The cast included Lyn Hooker (Antigone), Pietro Nolte, (King Creon), John Ramsbottom, Brigid Reynolds, David Sharp, Joyce Bradley (The Nurse), Alan Prior (First Guard), David Salton, Roy Nieman and Gordon Sara.

Staged at the Gelvandale Community Centre, Port Elizabeth, on June 4, 1969, for the Coloured community and the Leo Baeck Hall, Port Elizabeth, for the White community, from 5-7 June.

Colin Shamley, Anthony Flesch, Beverley Melnick and Michele Maxwell were the minstrel, the chorus and the musicians.

Costumes by Katie Saunders and sets by Danny Keogh, David Eppel, Paul Slabolepszy and Deon Stewardson.

Antigone English Translation