List of Events
-Polynices and Eteocles have killed each other in battle.
-Creon declares Polynices shan't be buried and anyone that does so much to grieve him will be put the death
-At a ball, Haemon asks Antigone to marry him and she agrees
-Antigone knows she will die and thinks intensely
-She sneaks out to talk to Haemon
-They quarrel
-Nurse catches her
Reflection
Anouilh begins the play with the chorus who narrates the preceding and succeeding events. The tone is very casual even when talking about the deaths to come. She does this in order to give the audience the whole picture of the plot. A tragedy always ends in death so it does not matter that the ending is revealed, rather, the explanation prepares the audience for the cathartic reactions to the performance.
Antigone's motivation is to go against King Creon which is punishable by death. That is why her actions are kept secretive and she secludes herself. When the nurse catches her she purposely talks strangely and repeats things over and over as if mocking the Nurse. She uses many words to describe the beauty and wonderfulness of the night. "The garden was lovely. It was still asleep. Have you ever thought how lovely a garden is when it is not yet thinking of men?" (6). Her tone becomes precise as she tells the truth. "Antigone [soberly]. No. Not wicked" (7). It is soon revealed, that Antigone is afraid. After the argument with Isemene she begs Nurse to give her strength. With that strength she goes to tell Haemon that she cannot marry him. Antigone's actions are very well thought out, although she shows mild fear, she is determined to follow her plans. Anouilh shows what Antigone did during the night through Antigone's conversation with Haemon to better understand her feeling and motivation. Instead of showing the scene played out, the audience sees it through Antigone's view. This causes the audience to relate with Antigone more.
No comments:
Post a Comment