To direct a production of Antigone, one has to consider the fundamentals of the playtext and the history of the plays productions. The context that the play was written in, the playwright himself and the major themes of the play and issues of characterization must all be considered before setting out on such a task, especially if the play in question happens to be two and a half thousand years old. In the fifth century B.C. Sophocles wrote and produced Antigone, the first of a trilogy that would become the most famous works of that age. The first production of Antigone would have been staged as part of a competition for playwrights in front of up to fifteen thousand Greek citizens. At the Theatre of Dionysus as part of the City Dionysia Sophocles presented Antigone, a play that supports the divine laws over the human, staged around an altar at a religious festival. To have been an audience member at that first staging of Antigone would have been an act of worship in itself. The subject matter of ancient Greek theatre was tied up in the mythology already familiar to its audience, through stories passed down through the previous ages. Therefore the task for the playwright was not just what to tell but how to tell it. Since the audience would have been accustomed with these stories dramatic irony and tension were created because the audience knew the fates of the characters on the stage. Sophocles was the first playwright to introduce a third actor to productions. Up until then it had been customary to only have two actors and a chorus of up to fifty men. Sophocles reduced the size of the chorus to twelve men and opened up the spectrum for himself and other playwrights to have more than just two characters on stage a... ... middle of paper ... ...elf should be noticeably Creon's, business-like, doubling as a conference room with a podium or lecturn with an engraving of his own profile on the front of the lecturn and a large gold edged mirror on the up stage wall to emphasise his obsession with his own self image. The walls should be red to symbolize the wars fought and blood shed in Thebes and also the deaths of Creon and Antigone's family who have gone before. In the fifth century B.C. the themes of Antigone are strong and still relevant to an audience of the twenty-first century. The themes and issues established in Antigone are universal to the human condition because they are not out-dated, their issues remain common in ever changing societies and cultures. Since the plays of Sophocles concern human relationships and not interaction between the divine and human kind, they remain timeless.
This play, Antigone, was titled after one of the play’s main characters; however, the title could have been “Creon”, due to Creon’s influence throughout the play. Creon was a major influence to the play’s plot as it involves Creon within a majority of the scenes, from beginning to end. Throughout the play Creon’s tragic countdown is expressed, beginning with him as king of Thebes to the death of his beloved family. Antigone is merely portrayed as a rebellious nephew, as she consistently defies Creon. Antigone is expressed within the play consistently; however, the play portrays decisions proclaimed by Creon, which displays Creon’s tragic flow. Being titled “Antigone”, does not accurately express the play’s content as Creon’s tragic fate is actually being described and represented.
When the film starts, there is a wide shot of the Theban Palace. There are two very large portraits of Creon hanging from the ceiling; this instantly establishes that Creon is the ruler of the state. The set depicts the castle’s massive foyer, which contains a large staircase. Either than that there are hardly any props; this is advantageous because the presence of props and ornate decorations would divert the audience’s attention away from the dialogue and happenings of the play. Furthermore, the ambience in the palace becomes dark and bleak the moment Antigone commits suicide.
Paralleling ¨The Allegory of the Cave,¨ Creon, the king and antagonist of this play, foolishly believes that his opinion is infallible and the people of Thebes must blindly obey. Similar to how the cave dwellers naively accept the puppeteers images, the Thebans accept Creon's law for what it is, except for Antigone. Antigone is able to recognize that the law is incorrect, because she has seen the light and therefore the truth; this is the beginning of the unraveling of Creon’s reign. Creon rules as a King over those who remain in the dark; however, because Antigone has seen the light and can now recognize the truth, she stands in the path of Creon's leadership. Plato establishes that ¨ The state in which the rulers are most reluctant to govern is always the best. . . The state in which they are most eager, the worst;¨ contrastingly, Creon is represented as a power hungry tyrant ”declaring ¨Is not the city Held to be his who rules it?¨ Ultimately, Creon’s refusal to accept the truth leads to the death of his niece, son, and wife and the undermine of his rule as predicted by
The play was admired by many in the fifth century BC. When there was word of a performance of the play Antigone, every actor hoped to have a part in the production. The theme of this play is referred to by many as “a conflict between secular and divine law” (Harsh 103). This is challenged by philosophers of Greek studies. Greeks did not believe that Creon was a tyrant therefore disposing the idea of conflict. These might be concepts present through the play but these are only formed by the defense of Antigone’s point of view (Harsh 104).
Antigone was a selfless person with pride as a strong characteristic of her personality. She possibly had feelings of loneliness and anger from the way society has looked upon her family from their past. It took a strong willed person who has no fear of the repercussions to stand up to a king as she did. To make everything all the worst she stood up to a king who was her Uncle and she being a female back in those time, standing up and speaking out for herself was not heard of.
Sophocles’ Antigone is one of the most famous plays of all time, and has been debated upon for centuries. One of the most interesting topics within these debates is the idea that Antigone may have been a better ruler than Creon. However, this is not true. Antigone’s personality and inherent nature would have prevented her from ever being a successful ruler of Thebes. She is fiercely independent and passionate about her family and getting justice for her brother. While these may be good qualities as a person, being a good person does not lead to being a good ruler. Antigone is ultimately too stubborn, emotional, young, and inexperienced to be queen. These qualities not only lead to her own downfall, but that of those around her.
A Greek drama is a series of actions within a literary presentation in which the chief character has a disastrous fate. Many Greek dramas fall under the theatrical category of a tragedy due to the tragic events and unhappy ending that cause the downfall of the main character. During the famous play “Antigone” the Greek author Sophocles incorporated several features of a tragedy. These features include a morally significant dilemma and the presence of a tragic hero. The grand debate over which character can hold the title of the tragic hero has been discussed in the literary world for ages.
The greek playwright, Sophocles, was born around 496 B.C., and died in 406 B.C. During his life, he wrote many plays, one of which was Oedipus Rex. Sophocles was the first dramatist to add the third actor to the play. Actors were able to perfrom many different parts, but the play was limited to only three actors and the chorus. (Literature, page 1065)
In the awe-inspiring play of Antigone, Sophocles introduces two remarkable characters, Antigone and Creon. A conflict between these two obstinate characters leads to fatal consequences for themselves and their kindred. The firm stances of Creon and Antigone stem from two great imperatives: his loyalty to the state and her dedication to her family, her religion but most of all her conscience. The identity of the tragic hero of this play is still heavily debated. This tragedy could have been prevented if it had not been for Creon's pitiful mistakes.
Brad Moore, a famous athlete once said, “Pride would be a lot easier to swallow if it didn’t taste so bad.” In Sophocles’ well known Greek tragedy, Antigone, the main character undergoes immense character development. Antigone transforms from being stubborn and underestimated to courageous and open-minded. In reality, it is Antigone’s insular persistence that leads to her ultimate decline in the play as well as others around her. After the death of her two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, Creon becomes the new ruler of Thebes. With this, he grants Eteocles an honorable funeral service for his brave fighting. Claiming that Polynices was a traitor, he shows complete refusal to grant Polynices a respectable and worthy service. Clearly disagreeing with Creon’s inexcusable demands, Antigone declares she will bury Polynices herself so that his soul can be at peace. Entirely aware of the consequences and dangers of this action, which include death, she goes forward vowing her love for her family. Antigone shows strength and determination towards her brother. However, her growing sense of pride leads to her downfall as she sacrifices everything for her family. Antigone develops into an admirable character in which she portrays her defiance and courage, pride and open mindedness, and sense of moral righteousness to show vital character growth as the play progresses.
The play “Antigone” is a tragedy by Sophocles. One main theme of the play is Religion vs. the state. This theme is seen throughout the play. Antigone is the supporter of religion and following the laws of the gods and the king of Thebes, Creon, is the state. In the play Creon has made it against the law to bury Antigone’s brother, something that goes against the laws of the gods, this is the cause of most conflict in the story. This struggle helps to develop the tragic form by giving the reader parts of the form through different characters.
Unlike poetic forms of literature, which do not require a conflict or a resolution in order to work, drama requires both elements in order to be successful. In Sophocles’ famous play, Antigone, it was conflict that drove the story along and it was the resounding resolution that left audiences with a gratifying feeling that hasn’t faltered for centuries. While the roles of both elements are indisputably important to the success of any play, however, there is still much disagreement among literary critics concerning the central conflict of Antigone. Some critics, such as Robin Fox, speculate that the main conflict is the struggle between family loyalty and “kinship rights of burial” (Allbaugh para. 5). Still others believe that the central conflict is the will of the individual verses the will of the State (DeWitt 1). While there is considerable merit to what these critics say, however, the ultimate conflict in Antigone is arguably the struggle between the will of the mortals, the will of the State, and the will of the gods.
Sophocles was one of the most influential people during his time period. He held important positions in offices, participated in around thirty contests, where he won around twenty-four and was never placed lower than second, and he also received the posthumous award of Dexion, or receiver, from the Athenians. However, much of his beliefs and ideals concerning various subjects can only be drawn out through his plays, as little else remains to tell us his beliefs. Antigone in particular reveals facts about Sophocles that shows an interesting light upon him. It, along with his other plays, shows an interesting take on his beliefs about the Greek gods and goddess, and his views on a single person’s morality vs. the power and morality of the state, along with his values and philosophy.
Politics is fascinating, and the effects it has on literature can be evident, if only seen through discussion of the themes and topics seen in the works of literature. Historically, Athens had converted to a democracy in 460 B.C.E., bringing an end to the rule of emperors and kings. In light of this, during the discussion of historical aspects influencing the works, I came to the realization in the group that Antigone could be seen as a social commentary on the danger of kings. This is seen in Antigone, in which Creon brings upon himself a terrible curse and causes destruction among his citizens. Through the discussion, it was determined that Sophocles intends this play to hint at the dangers of kings and to advocate for democracy. The connections I discovered between historically relevant events and the play itself were fascinating, adding depth and meaning to the work as a
The play “Antigone” by Sophocles displays many qualities that make it a great tragedy. A tragedy is defined as a dramatic or literary work in which the principal character engages in a morally significant struggle ending in ruin or profound disappointment. In creating his tragedy “Antigone”, Sophocles uses many techniques to create the feelings of fear and pity in his readers. This in turn creates an excellent tragedy.