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Comparing Anouilh 'And Sophocles' Antigone

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Scarborough 1

Paula Scarborough
Professor Cearley
Eh 102 Reading and Research
March 2, 2015
The original drama of Antigone was introduced by Sophocles during 441BC; centuries later the same drama was presented by French composer Jean Anouilh. What was the difference between the two plays? What was Anouilh’s purpose of reconstructing a classical Greek drama to a French modern drama? Although both dramas are similar, they are having different content in them. Anouilh will clear up some of the questions. Anouilh’s drama looks similar to Sophocles, with the exception of an added character. It is sunrise when the play begins and Antigone has to make a decision about the burial of her brother. In the first …show more content…

In Anouilh’s version, Antigone admits her actions. Anouilh’ version, after Antigone admits her wrong, Creon tells her he can get rid of the guards. He tells her she is to return home. Antigone, however is adamant about a proper burial she informs him saying “Uncle Creon, you are going to a lot of trouble for no good reason. You must know I will do it all over again tonight. I owe it to him (Anouilh).” Antigone speaks of her brother’s death as if he was out on a hunt and would return tired, hungry, and exhausted. She insists that her parents are eagerly waiting to welcome him to eternally rest. The respect she has for the dead is based on her spiritual beliefs. She believed that it was her duty as his sister, to give Polyneice a proper burial. However, Creon is willing to negotiate; however Antigone tells Creon “Stop feeling sorry for me. Do as I do. Do your job. But if you are a human being, do it quickly. That is all I ask of you. I’m not going to be able to hold out forever (Anouilh)”. Creon constantly tries to change the mind of Antigone yet to no avail and desire to be sentence before she recants. As Creon assumes that Antigone will give her life up for her brothers, Antigone decides to consent and go back to her room; she is also advised to find Haemon and marry quickly. Antigone realized that her concept of happiness and life is far from the view of her Creon her uncle …show more content…

In Anouilh’s version of the drama, Antigone not only questions Creon’s scope of happiness but she also tells him “ I spit on your happiness.” She is uncomfortable with him, it scares her and she wants to die, his attempt to console her makes the situation worse, because she is completely against his consolation. Anouilh’s play, Creon and his son Haemon encounter was brief, and Haemon not understanding why Antigone was being put to death by his father; Creon attempts to explain that he did all he could in order to save her life, this is what she wanted-death. Haemon asked that this not happen and Creon replies as the guards carries Antigone way “I can’t stop them. It’s too late. Antigone has spoken.” Haemon appeals to

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