Antigone (Anouilh) Literary Elements

Tragedy, Political Allegory

French/English Translated

The city of Thebes. A non-existent city that allows for universality.

The play is written in the first person as it is written in the form of a dialogue between characters. However, there is an aspect of narration within the play. The characters of "Messenger" and "Chorus" talk in third and second person in order to provide insight on aspects of the play that can not be conveyed by first-person dialogue. This includes how each character is feeling and the breaking the fourth wall to inform the audience of the nature of a tragedy.

Tragic, determined, passionate, intense

The protagonist is Antigone, the titular character. She is the queen to be that chooses to bring justice to her brothers, sacrificing her life. The antagonist is Antigone's uncle, king Creon. He is willing to do anything to maintain order, even if he has to kill his niece against his own wishes.

Creon places his order to the whole town that one of Antigone's brothers (Polynices) must rot in the sun. He is not to receive a burial or praise, those who attempt to grant Polynices of a proper burial is to be executed. The conflict arises as Antigone went and covered Polynices' body against Creon's orders, twice.

The climax arises when Antigone and Creon's argument heats up. With Creon attempting to keep Antigone under control, and Antigone attempting to force Creon into killing her. The peak of tension between the two characters occurs when Antigone begins to call Creon a "cook" and threatens to let other people know of her rebellious actions. The threats of informing others is also a threat against Creon's power because he fears of an uprising. Ismene enters at this moment to cut the tension at the peak of the climax.

Antigone foreshadows her death by talking to the nurse near the beginning of the play. Notably, she says, "I mustn't be a little girl today".

The chorus foreshadows the nature of a tragedy. Comparing it to a spring that is wound up tight. Because once the story of a tragedy uncoils, it is unstoppable.

Antigone foreshadows the futility of her death. She states "what a roaring noise I seemed to make alone on the road" indicating that it only seemed that she made a loud noise, but in fact, her death, much like the noise she made alone on the road, was not at all impactful.

Antigone understates the consequence of her actions. Saying that the only thing Creon can do is to have her killed. This gives the impression that death is not at all a terrifying or a tragic thing to Antigone. Although, she is ultimately frightened of death.

As Anouilh's 'Antigone' is a modern retelling of the classic Sophocles' 'Antigone' the story has allusions to the original tragedy. The reader is able to predict what happens and understand that Antigone will die regardless as that is what happens in the original version.

Mentioning Oedipus's name is also an allusion. It is an allusion to Greek mythology. Understanding this allows the reader to understand where some of Creon's insults stem from. It also gives the reader a deeper understanding of the context of the play and how Creon came to rule. Importantly, it allows the reader to understand that Antigone herself is the rightful queen of the throne.

Imagery is used when Creon describes Polynices' body and Antigone's brothers' death. This creates a disturbed and disgusted mood with the audience and Creon's unconcerned and composed tone makes the reader see a cruel side to Creon.

Imagery is also used by the chorus to describe the physical appearance of the characters. The reader is able to see the difference between the two sisters, with Ismene being the one who fits the standard of beauty much more than Antigone. This is parallel to how she is not one to fit in with society, she does not just follow orders, she stands up for what she believes in. The reader can also understand the effect that ruling has on Creon, with imagery describing the uglier features on his face that are associated with old age, and someone who is tired.

Finally, imagery is also used to describe the death of each character. The imagery used to describe Eurydice's death creates a peaceful mood. As if she has accepted her fate in a tragedy, she does not fight her death because it is destined to happen. Antigone's death and Haemon's death are also described vividly. The imagery entails that Antigone is dying like royalty, with colors of red and gold.

Antigone's death itself is a paradox. She is dying because she can not be happy by staying alive. However, if she dies, she would be unable to feel happy too.

There are many parallels between Anouilh's 'Antigone' and the time period at which the play was written. The ruler of Creon is parallel to the ruler of France at the time. Pétain, the ruler, wanted good for the city of France, however, he was governing under the Nazi's control which did not actually allow the people of France to be happy. Creon, who wanted the city of Thebes to thrive, did not care about the citizens he governed.

Antigone's futile death is also parallel to Paul Collette's futile, and alone attempt at uprising. Much like how Paul Collette never made a difference with his uprising, Antigone was unable to make a difference with her alone death, her death was meaningless.

Personification used by the messenger used to describe a "voice that came forth" and a "hush that fell" during Haemon's death scene.

There is dramatic tension created when the audience knows information that the characters within the play do not know. This occurs when the audience figures out that Antigone admits her fear of dying, and admits that Creon was right. This engages the audience as Creon could still save Antigone if he found out, adding suspense to the proceeding scene.

The fourth wall is also broken in the play. The chorus and the messenger sometimes speak directly to the audience. This adds dramatic tension as it further engages the audience into the play. Direct language directs the audience's attention to the events of the play. The chorus also acts to inform the audience of aspects of the story that would otherwise not be told through pure dialogue. This helps establish the context for events that happen in the play.