Emma's Reviews > Antigone
Antigone
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Anouilh has created a fascinating version of Antigone, but not one that I prefer to Sophocles'.
Instead of fighting to bury her brother because it is the right and just thing to do according to the eternal and unwritten rules of the gods, she is merely making a point, overwhelmed by youthful emotion, and one which in the final moments, she regrets. This is not the powerful Antigone of Greek Tragedy. Creon is not the hubristic, tyrannical King of old, he is a man forced to perform a difficult task and one that he repeatedly tries to mediate himself out of. I found myself agreeing with several of his points and I usually detest Creon only slightly less than Agamemnon.
The reworking of these characters against the backdrop of Nazi occupied France is something I find intriguing. That it had to pass the Nazi censors is only a small explanation for the changes within the play, especially as both sides could see something to champion in this version. Can't wait to delve more into this.
Instead of fighting to bury her brother because it is the right and just thing to do according to the eternal and unwritten rules of the gods, she is merely making a point, overwhelmed by youthful emotion, and one which in the final moments, she regrets. This is not the powerful Antigone of Greek Tragedy. Creon is not the hubristic, tyrannical King of old, he is a man forced to perform a difficult task and one that he repeatedly tries to mediate himself out of. I found myself agreeing with several of his points and I usually detest Creon only slightly less than Agamemnon.
The reworking of these characters against the backdrop of Nazi occupied France is something I find intriguing. That it had to pass the Nazi censors is only a small explanation for the changes within the play, especially as both sides could see something to champion in this version. Can't wait to delve more into this.
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Reading Progress
July 29, 2016
–
Started Reading
July 29, 2016
– Shelved
August 1, 2016
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Finished Reading
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I suffered so much it can be productized as iSuffer.
Nice review.
Igor"
Ah, I enjoyed suffering so much I did it for my Master's...
Igor
It's fascinating how the smallest changes in character can completely alter the perspective, isn't it? I'm looking at this reimagining for uni at the moment and so pleased to have been introduced to Anouilh, even if I prefer the original Antigone. Perhaps because I'm anti reframing such a strong female in hysterical terms.
I suffered so much it can be productized as iSuffer.
Nice review.
Igor