Set Design for Antigone and how it Helps the Audience Understand the Themes

of the play. I will also explore the role the common man plays in the

central to the play. I am going to look at only the first act of the

Antigone is an ancient Greek play, originally written by tragedian Sophocles, that has been adapted by the French playwright and dramatist, Jean Anouilh. This well-regarded interpretation of the play retains its classical plotline but explores theories of tragedy and how tragedy has moulded this classical play. During this theatrical piece, the protagonist, Antigone, ignites disastrous events that gravely impact not only her family, but the city of Thebes. Furthermore, A World Enclosed is an archetype of tragedy that perfectly represents Antigone. This archetype of tragedy is demonstrated in a plethora of ways throughout the play: Antigone’s stubbornness and determination, her over willingness and persistence to obey the gods, and how the chorus, essential and solitary figures in Greek plays, comment on how tragedy functions within the play.

Family is very important and is shown through many ways in society. That family will often be more important than the authority or law. Within the play Antigone, Sophocles shows many situations where the characters are forced to choose between law or family. Throughout Antigone, Sophocles proves his strong devotion to family, even more. Sophocles shows this through the actions of Antigone, Creon and Haimon and the choices that they make throughout the play.

Power is like a virus, once it gets to one’s head, they’re corrupt. In Sophocles’ Antigone, both of Antigone’s brothers killed each other at war for the throne of Thebes. Creon, the new king, only honors and buries one, Eteocles. Creon bans anyone from burying the other brother, Polyneices but Antigone decides that she will in order to honor her brother. Creon gives two speeches, one about how he’s going to rule and how he forbids anyone from burying Polyneices, and another about bribery and how money corrupts people. He says that money is the reason someone has betrayed him by burying Polyneices. In Antigone, Sophocles uses the characterization of Creon to reveal the negative effects in the development of power.

important to note as the play was set at a time of monarchical struggle and the

For centuries men have been finding ways to gain control over everything and everyone. One group that has been oppressed by men throughout history are women. Men have placed rules and regulations upon women making them seen as unequal and inferior. Was it fear? Was it the hunger for power? Was is the highness of superiority? Whatever the reasons were, men had to be seen as the highest being next to whom they worshiped. In the play Antigone by Sophocles, the audience is exposed to the roles of men and women in an ancient Greece society known as Thebes. Although ancient Greece was a male-dominant society where women had as much freedom as a slave, Sophocles’ main character in the play, Antigone, is an example of a brave, strong-minded woman who goes against the limitations that were unfairly set upon women during that time to do what she believes is right. In this play, gender roles assists in the process of portraying the story since it affects some of the decisions of the characters and helps lead the story into the climax.

Antigone is a Greek tragedy which explores the flaws and unfairness of the universe. Written by Sophocles around 441 BCE, it is the third and last of the three Theban plays. Its bold and fearless themes and perspective on the true sorrows of human misery makes it an impactful drama that is a true depiction of Greek tragedy.

shall firstly do a summery of the play and give a basic image of what

Theme is a central idea or message in a work of literature. Theme connects with all events of a story, however, it is not the moral of the story like many may think. Theme is interpreted by the reader. In other words, the theme is just almost every aspect of a story. For example, theme needs characters, protagonist, antagonist, conflict, and speaker to analyze what theme is in a story. The equation for theme is character + conflict and resolution = theme. The story of Antigone for example has many themes. Antigone is the story of a young girl, who's purpose is to honor her brother Polyneices in a burial. Both of her brothers killed each other, however Eteocles, her other brother, fought for the city and got an honorable burial, while Polynieces,

Love can be expressed in many different ways. In Antigone, familial love is central in Antigone’s life because she loves her brother Polyneices even though he was a traitor. In her speech to her sister about Creon forbidding Polyneices’ burial, Antigone makes it clear that familial love cannot be tainted.

The topic I chose to write this essay on is about the examination of the central conflicts that are taking place in the story “Antigone”. Throughout the story and what seems to be the start of many conflicts to come is, Antigone the main character having hard time fathering the fact that she’s not allowed to bury her other brother Polynices. Due to orders given by her uncle Creon. Essentially in the story Antigone struggles with fighting against the social customs of the time, disputes with her sister Ismene, and Creon who represents the state or government and the ultimate enemy.

In Jean Anouilh’s version of the play, Antigone, the protagonist, Antigone, is interpreted as a member of the resistance to despotism that parallels the antifascist French resistance against the Nazi occupation. Anouilh’s controversial play was performed in 1944 under Nazi-controlled Paris, so when Antigone sacrifices her life to defy the oppressive ruler Creon, Anouilh makes Antigone not only a heroine, but also a symbol for resistance. Anouilh based his playwright on Sophocles’ version, which was originally written in 442 BC in Ancient Greece. However, Anouilh uses different literary devices such as anachronisms, allusions, similes and symbolism to relate the story to the most disturbing dilemma during his time in the 1940’s. He writes his play to show the importance in joining the French resistance, but he must also make his play acceptable to the controlling Nazis. As such, the play Antigone can be interpreted as a political allegory of Vichy France.

Sophocles’ Antigone is the third of the three Theban plays written, but has been considered the first; the play was written in or before 441 B.C. In Antigone, Sophocles uses women as a strong and independent figure of the society. This play is the first to display women differently in a male dominated society. He also uses this play to describe women as able to make their own decisions and capable of living without the attention of males. The play Antigone shows the personalities of three women in society: Antigone, the strong, independent one, Ismene, the weak, traditional one, and Eurydice, Creon’s wife and an older traditional woman. Each character represents a woman’s way of living and what is expected and expected of women. Each of these women display many differences, some being the fine line between good and evil and life and death. Going into depth with each female character, the reader could tell that the differences in each character is not displayed in the others. For example, Ismene’s weakness and Antigone’s strong will. Although strength can be important in the play, there is the bravery and the passion

My concept for the play would be tyrannic military force. The idea behind this could be the nazi party vs the german people. This is my concept because Antigone is an heroine that fought against the