An Analysis of Two Key Passages in Antigone - 2661 Words

An Analysis of Two Key Passages in Antigone During the Nazi occupation of France, Jean Anouilh produced an adaptation of Sophocles’ tragedy, Antigone, as a representation of the struggle between those collaborating with the occupants and those resisting them. While it is possible to read Anouilh’s Antigone as a ‘texte de la Resistance’, it can also be interpreted as an apologia for the Nazis’ severe, authoritarian behavior. The two key passages selected are crucial to the development of the play in that they highlight the clash between ideologies. While Antigone’s speech offers an insight into her idealistic world view, Creon’s dialogue exposes his pragmatic approach to life. This conflict of thought and action epitomizes the conflict†¦show more content†¦The harshness of Antigone’s outlook is emphasised by Anouilh yet again when he has her say that Oedipus only became beautiful â€Å"when all hope was gone, stamped out like a beetle†[Passage A, line 26]. The violent nature of this simile reinforces Antigone’s strong belief in the value self- renunciation. Simultaneously, it emphasizes that the majority of ordinary citizens blindly follow the dictates of Creon’s government and his pedestrian mode of thought, aiming for nothing more than the contentment of getting on with their lives. Repellent natural imagery is further utilized to distinguish Antigone’s higher aims from those of Creon and all those who are attached to life at any cost: â€Å"You [Creon] are all like dogs that lick everything they smell†[Passage A, line 7]. This degrades Creon and his followers—or fellow Collaborators—to mere animals in that they live by their animalistic impulses, most of all the will to live, rather than upon any higher aim. This implies that pragmatism requires minimal thought or emotional effort, while idealism on the other hand, demands a powerful self-control that can sublimate the animal will to live, and requires an advanced intellectual and emotional level. It demands the renunciation of the saint, but as an existentialistShow MoreRelatedThe Greek and Roman Influence over Modern America1431 Words   |  6 Pagesphilosophical views, they sought after a definition of everything and believed in the apollonian concept based upon reason, brightness, and intelligence. They even held large assemblies where they held discussions which led to decision making and the passage of laws. The Greeks gained respect and remembrance through these traditions. Any individual who studies Greek culture can see a clear similarity between the ways the Greeks ran their civilization and the way Americans run their country today. GreeksRead Moretheme of alienation n no where man by kamala markandeya23279 Words   |  94 Pagesï » ¿ANTIGONE KEY LITERARY ELEMENTS SETTING This tragedy is set against the background of the Oedipus legend. It illustrates how the curse on the House of Labdacus (who is the grandson of Cadmus, founder of Thebes, and the father of Laius, whose son is Oedipus) brought about the deaths of Oedipus and his wife-mother, Jocasta, as well as the double fratricide of Eteocles and Polynices. Furthermore, Antigone dies after defying King Creon. The play is set in Thebes, a powerful city-state north of Read MoreA Doll House by Henrik Ibsen7379 Words   |  30 Pagesmind throughout his life. Furthermore, he is so narcissistic that it would be impossible for him to bear to understand how he appears to her, as selfish, hypocritical and more concerned with public reputation than with actual morality. Nora leaves her keys and wedding ring and as Torvald breaks down and begins to cry, baffled by what has happened, Nora leaves the house, slamming the door behind herself. Upon reading the plot, we might assume that it revolves around a feminist heroine making her way to