Anouilh's Vs Sophocles Antigone

682 Words3 Pages
Tragedy is an element that has been the subject of many great works of literature. It is through suffering that the author allows the characters to reveal themselves completely. But throughout time, how has suffering changed? Have there been differences in ways one deals with suffering, or is it suffering itself that has been altered? Suffering is a key element of complexity that ultimately reveals a character, and brings suffering upon others. In Sophocles’ Antigone and Anouilh’s Antigone, the past events affect, positively or negatively, the present actions, attitudes, or values of the characters.
From the very beginning of Anouilh’s Antigone, there is an immediate difference in attitude. The substitution of the Choral Odes for a single character representing the chorus adds more of a modern take on the play. This version can be seen as much less complex than Sophocles’ version, although the characters still face the same issues from their past. In the original Sophocles, Creon is adamant in his conviction of Antigone and he refuses to yield to any means. He is viewed as more of a tyrant than an uncle. But in Anouilh’s version, his character is much more lenient and forgiving. Despite the absurd actions that Antigone puts everyone through without any regard for the law, Creon still reasons with her. By offering to execute the guards to save Antigone’s life in Anouilh’s Antigone, Creon drifts away from the tyrannical role he played in the original Antigone, and becomes a forgiving and somewhat reasonable person. According to Oxford Journals, The character of Antigone took on the role of the French Resistance and Creon took on the role of the Government, symbolizing the power struggle that was taking place in France at the time. Publishing this play was very risky for Anouilh, considering the circumstances.
In ancient Greece, during the Peloponnesian wars,

More about Anouilh's Vs Sophocles Antigone

Open Document