Journal Entry 5 Anouilh Antigone

One theme that was central to the story of Anouilh's Antigone was how family is important, for it can leave to a kind and stable life. However, in all of the Greek tragedies that I read, this is not the case. In Oedipus, he kills his father and marries his mother, who kills herself. In Medea, Jason forsakes Medea and his children, only to have it come back and hurt him in their deaths and Medea's treachery. In Antigone, Creon shows no emotion of heart break or sorrow for killing Antigone, and also loses both his son Haemon and his wife Eurydice. each of those stories, the families break up ever since the beginning of the play: Oedipus was almost killed when he was a child and killed his parents; Medea killed her brother and a king, only to then be cast aside by Jason for another; and Antigone, with her father, mother and brothers dead, doesn't listen to her sister and kills herself. Anouilh's Antigone is the only one that emphasizes the importance of family at all. This can be seen in how Anouilh included a scene of romance between Haemon and Antigone, and when Creon told Antigone about her 2 brothers. In both of those, the people showed that the other were important to them, Antigone is important to Haemon because he loves her, and important to Creon since Haemon loves her.

There is also this theme of equality of the sexes in Anouilh's Antigone. In Anouilh's Antigone, women are given a more equal part, which can be seen in how Antigone is given more lines in the play, as well as having the main focus on her. Though it also includes Creon a good deal as well, and Haemon a little more as well. So there is a more equal gender roles. In all the other plays, either one gender or the other is more domineering. In Oedipus, Oedipus was the main focus, in Medea, Medea was the main focus, and in Antigone, Creon was the main focus. All of those plays appealed more to feminism and men instead of equality of gender.

Journal Entry 4 Anouilh Antigone

During Antigone and Creons debate, Anouilh repeated a lot of different words and phrases. This produced different effects in the story. One of the repeated words or phrases was fastidious. Creon first used the word in order to describe himself, that he is "fastidious. [He] like[s] things clean, shipshape, well scrubbed" (pg 34). This shows how even though Creon is kind of laid back at times, he will not stand around and do nothing when the time arises for someone to help. However, Antigone then turns the word against him by saying "You [Creon] are too fastidious to make a good tyrant" (pg 35). This implies that Creon is a bad tyrant, since he can't be pleased like most ones, he keeps looking for more. What this repetition does is emphasize the insubordiantion versus a power, in how Antigone blatently went against what Creon said and made it worse. A phrase that was repeated was the phrase kitchen politics. Creon first says it when he is reminiscing about Oedipus, and trying to tell Antigone "what went on in the back room, in the kitchen of politics" (pg 39). This shows that Creon nkows all of Oedipus' story of what happend to him. Though once again, Antigone rebukes Creon: "Creon, you spoke the word a moment ago: kitchen of politics. You look it and you smell of it" (pg 43). By saying this condescening thing about Creon, Anitgone is saying that Creon looked too much into Oedipus' life and may have interfered with it.

Antigone also uses phrases that could be interpreted different ways. One phrase was "You [Creon] are too fastidious to make a good tyrant" (pg 35). This could mean 2 different things. It could mean what I said above, that Creon is more of a bad tyrant, since he is never pleased with his people. Or, it could also mean that Creon could not be a tyrant at all, since who would want to be a bad one. Another phrase that could be interpreted in different ways is "When it was absolutely certain that nothing, nothing could save him. Then he was at peace; then he could smile" (pg 43). This is when Antigone is talking about her father, Oedipus. One way to interpret the phrase is to say that he really was at peace, that he was happy that now his question had finnally been answered. However, it could also mean resignation; Oedipus could have just given up on fighting the prophecy and become happier.

Journal Entry 3 Anouilh Antigone

The character that I am playing in the group performance is the Chorus in Anouilh's Antigone. The only real motivation that the chorus person has, since it is only one person, is to try and account the events of the play and explain certain aspects of the play. That is why the Chorus explains the characters in the begining and then defines tragedy later on in the story. This motivation affects the story because it pauses what's going on in the story and then offers an explanation to what is going on. This helps establish a closer relationship with the audience since most do not know the story, since it is conveying more to a modern generation, instead of ancient Greece. Some evidence:

"Well, here we are. These people are about to act out for you the story of Antigone" (pg 3)
This was done to get the audinece introduced to the characters of Antigone. To get them used to the story.
"The spring is wound up tight. It will uncoil of itself. That is what is so convenient in tragedy." (pg 23)
This was used in order to explain to the audience tragedy and its significance in the play.

Journal Entry 2 Anouilh Antigone

Literary Devices

• Smooth Silken Hair of Isemene (Image): Your Beautiful hair! How easy it must be never to be unreasonable with all that smooth silken hair so beautifully set round your head" (pg 10): This image of Isemene establishes her rank in society and how she thinks. Since society has always expected her to look a certain way and help her to look that way, it also made her act a certain way too. Isemene's hair shows her obedience, for it is not wild and our of control, but primped up and beautiful, thanks to the beauty products that society gave to Isemene.
• Foil: "I'm older than you are. I always think things over, and you don't. You are impulsive." (pg 11): This foil is between Isemene and Antigone. This foil shows just how different the 2 sisters are. Antigone was raised up to be a little bit more wild, which is why "little boys- [and] little girls" (pg 16), who are some of the most wild, look up to Antigone. They look up to her as a kind of idol. However, Isemene talks about how she always thinks things through. This is because she thinks about how to work with the societal laws and restrictions, while Antigone just goes with her passion.
• Parallel Structure: "There you go, frowning, glowering, wanting your own stubborn way in everything" (pg 11): This alliteration helps out in a certain way. By having multiple -ing endings, it tells of how Antigone is always doing these actions, never anything else. Also, the "i" in "-ing" could represent Isemene herself. By having that in there, Isemene could just be trying to convince herself that she is not the same as Antigone.
• Symbol of Earth, Wind, and Water: Why didn't I "understand that I must not play with water- [...] Or with earth [...] or run in the wind so fast[...] (pg 11): All of these symbols help to emphasize Antigone's character. Water represents her how she is able to flow around anything, to find a way around or out of trouble, but also shows that she goes where she pleases. The earth shows how Antigone has a stubborn resolve. And the wind shows again how she is free, but also a little bit playful and mischievous. Curious to note the absence of fire, which was in the Sophocles' play about Antigone.
• The Number 1000: "A thousand arms will seize our arms. A thousand breathes will breath into our faces. Like one single pair of eyes, a thousand eyes will stare at us" (pg 12): This shows the enormity of the forces working against Antigone and Isemene. It also shows that Isemene thinks that there is no way to work against Creon, for he has the power to call these odds against the pair of sisters.
• Stereotype: "It's all very well for men to believe in ideas and die for them. But you are a girl!" (pg 13): This is the stereotype of how men can go and do whatever they want while women stay in the background in the same place forever. It also tells of social status issues. A man can fail at something and still work to get his reputation back. If a woman were to lose her reputation, Isemene thinks that the woman would have a hard time getting it back.
• Foreshadowing: " Antigone: I'll tell you everything. [...] Haemon: We'll have other evenings my sweet. Antigone: Perhaps we won't" (pg 16): This foreshadows Antigone's death, even though the audience already knows. It tells also of how resolved Antigone is, for she is facing the destiny to die head on, instead of faltering. She tries to make preparation for her death

Journal entry 1 Anouilh Antigone

There were a lot of things that happened in the 1940's that could have influenced Anouilh as he wrote his own version of Antigone. For starters, women were given more freedoms, and allowed to "put themselves out there" more and more, meaning that the women were not tied down by the thoughts of others. This can be seen on how men would ogle at the girls, and then the girls would ogle back in the play. Also, there are going to be technological advances made in a more modern Antigone. This can be seen on how Antigone asked her Nurse to go get her some coffee, as well as the new sense of time of o'clock being used instead of just night and dark and sun and light. Also, as everyone knows, the Second World War began in the 1940's. This could give more shape to the conflict between Antigone and Creon, for Antigone could try to bury her brother out of religion, but Creon may not like that, (at least if he is German). Also, the marriage system in the 1940's was different then in ancient Greece. In ancient Greece, normally a woman was put up with a man if the man desired said woman. In the 1940's, that practice was abandoned, and men then had to ask the woman to see if they would desire to be wed, giving the woman the opportunity to back down if the person asking is not a suitable husband. One other thing that would influence the book is the responsibilities of man. In the 1940's, men had a sense of duty, that when it came down to them needing to do a task, they would fulfill it. This can be seen in how Creon takes over Oedipus' kingdom after Oedipus' sons die. These are just some of the things that could influence Anouilh while he wrote his own version of the tragedy of Antigone.

Journal entry 2 Antigone

Antigone
"Save yourself, I don't grudge your survival" (88, 624).
"I'll hate you all the more for silence-tell the world!" (64, 100-101)
Physical Appearance- moderate height, slight blond hair, soft facial features, around 16 years old, confident yet passionate voice.
Personality- fiery,passionate, yet loving, caring and reverent. Strong morals and stubborn resolve.
Why- Moderate height does not give a person a feeling of superiority or inferiority. Blond shows rebelliousness, more passionate color. Fiery and passionate are the defining qualities of Antigone.

Isemene
"Yes, if you can, but you're in love with impossibility" (64, 104)
"What do I care for life, cut off from you?" (87, 618)
Physical- 18, Slightly taller than Antigone, brunette with rich flowing hair, a little older features, yet still same softness, a little bit more developed and brown eyes, sweet voice.
Personality- Nice, passionate about family, hesitant with challenges, caring for sister.
Why- Slightly taller helps to establish the older sister persona. Brunettes feel a little more calmer, especially paired with brown eyes, but also can become passionate. Brown eyes also give soothing feel. Hesitancy shows how Isemine was in beginning, yet passion, to emphasize her later on. Sweet voice shows how Isemine just wants what is best for Antigone.

Creon
"What? The city is the king's- that's the law!" (97, 825)
" I warn you... a worthless woman in your house, a misery in your bed" (93, 725-726)
Physical- TALL, robust, slight pot belly, balding hair, dark brown hair with streaks of grey. Hard, steel eyes. Big nose, yet not huge, and regular eye shape. Muscular, yet showing signs of lack of working out; becoming out of shape. Booming voice.
Personality- Stubborn as heck, worried even more. Not trusting, second-guesser. Almost never happy.
Why- Booming voice establishes one in charge. Pot belly and degeneration of muscle show a luxurious, kingly life. Yet balding hair shows the stress the man is going through. Hard steel eyes to emphasize his stubbornness and one way of thinking.

Haemon
"Father, I'm you son... you in your wisdom set my bearings for me- I obey you" (93, 709-710)
"But if I seem young, look less to my years and more to what I do" (96, 815-816)
Physical- young, around 18, handsome, good build, short brown hair, deep, blue eyes, normal nose, not pointy or chunky.
Personality- Wise yet naive to situation of love, obeying of father, yet rebel with love. Very loving, and a little immature. Loyal to family and lover.
Why- Gives picture of a picturesque Greek Prince. Also, good build will help to get ladies, such as Antigone to love him more. Deep blue eyes and blue hair give off the romantic prince look. Immaturity personality helps to show age, and that emotions can blind him.

Sentry
"I didn't do it, didn't see who did- be fair, don't take it out on me" (70, 269-270)
"I'll never come back, you've seen the last of me. I'll saved, even now, and I never though, I never hoped-" (373-375)
Physical- lanky, not much muscle. 27 years old, in prime, yet heading towards old age. Only moderate height. Darting eyes, nasally voice, and a sharp nose. Short cropped hair.
Personality- shy, careful, slightly annoying, and apologetic.
Why- lanky look gives off inferiority as a person, as does not a lot of muscle. Moderate height lets others be higher and dominate him, yet allow him to do his job, as he can then tower over others. Darting eyes, nasally voice and sharp nose contribute to annoying feeling.

Leader of the Chorus
"Like father like daughter, passionate, wild... she hasn't learned to bend before adversity" (82, 525-527)
"You'd do well, my lord, if he's speaking to the point, to learn from him," (96, 810-811)
Physical- old, 60s, white hair/beard, kind of an old/grandfatherly voice, limp, shining teal eyes.
Personality- Compliant, passionate, chivalrous, believes in older traditions, yet is open to new ideas.
Why- Shining teal eyes show wisdom in words spoken. Limp provides a mean to give others a feeling of superiority over him, even though a limp is not all bad. Grandfather voice means the man will be heard, for the crowd will listen to the voice of someone wise. Compliant personality since the Leader needs to please just about everyone in the play.

Journal Entry 1 Antigone

Knowledge Level (The recall of specific information):

• Who is Creon's son?
• How does Isemene become involved in Creon's fantasy of judgement?

Comprehension Level (An understanding of what was read):

• Why did Creon's son defend Antigone, and all other women?
• Why didn't Creon accept the advice given to him by his son?

Application Level (The converting of abstract content to concrete situations):

• How does love affect the relationship between Creon and Haemon?
• What sort of bond is shared between Isemene and Antigone?

Analysis (The comparison and contrast of the content to personal experiences):

• Would Haemon's actions be considered an ancient form of chivalry?
• How does Creon show greed, though he resents it by refering to money and rule?

Synthesis (The organization of thoughts, ideas, and information from the content):

• How could Haemon have reworded his speech to appease his father and teach him at the same time?
• Is Antigone going to submit to the sense of morality within the society?

Evaluation (The judgment and evaluation of characters, actions, outcomes, etc…)

• Should Creon be looked upon as the same as Oedipus was in Oedipus Rex?
• Will Isemine reveal another self within her, or is she always compliant with another person's decrees.

Journal Entry 3 Medea/Oedipus Catharsis, Antigone

In Medea and Oedipus, both of them have similar forms of tragedy within them, such as a high character, an implied moral order, fate, and catharsis. For starters, both stories have a central, tragic protagonist that is risen to great hieghts before being torn down. Oedipus was king of Thebes, and then was cast out as a beggar. Medea was a too be queen, and then became a murderer and wanderer. Both of the stories have implied morals too. Oedipus just wanted to try to help his people as much as possible, while in Medea, it was wrong for Medea to kill her sons just to torture Jason. Both also have their ties in fate. Oedipus was tied into his fate since the Oracle at Delphi proclaimed his prophecy, and Oedipus ultiamtely fulfilled it due to his own actions. Medea had her own fate to kill all who hurt her, and this was influenced by her desire to hurt Jason. Lastly, both have Catharsis. In Oedipus, the audience is purged of greed and arrogance at the sight of Oedipus' downfall. In Medea, the audience is purged of blind rage and revenge, else they err in judgment, and make a decision like Medea to kill her sons and to poison a woman and king.



3 Literary Terms in Antigone

1. Rhyme- "There's noting, no pain-our lives are pain- no privates shame no public disgrace [...]" (Antigone, pg 59, line 5-7). This Rhyme emphasizes the agony of not being able to live life the way that they wish. It also helps to show that Antigone is one wisdom, for to speak in rhyme usually means wisdom.
2. Imagery- "He grappled the Dragon none can master-Thebes- the clang of our arms like thunder at his back" (65:138-139). This quote does 2 things. It tells of how powerful and resiliant Thebes is to be able to resist the Argons. But it also gives a bit of foreshadowing. By saying that Thebes is a dragon no one can master, it could mean that Creon will once more be led to his downfall.
3. Repetition- "Zeus hares with a vengeance all bravado, the mighty boasts of men" (65 140-141). Zeus is often repeated throughout the whole of the book. This means that Zeus could be a chief diety among the people of Thebes. Also, shows foreshadowing again. Creon may get to full of himself, and boast of Thebes. That is when Zeus will strike down Creon, and tragedy will ensue.

Journal Entry 2 Medea

Both Jason and Medea have a very different outlooks on the different of the Gods. Besides evoking the names of traditional gods, such as Zeus, the characters appear to hold a certain regard towards other gods. Medea seems to have more respect for the gods, espeacilly Hecate, or Artemis, who is the goddess of magic and witchcraft. This can be seen in how Medea states that "Hectate, [...] the goddess who abides in the shrine of my inner hearth-the one I reverence most of all the gods and chosen to abet me" (pg 45, line 396-399). This choosing of a female goddess represents how she is a feminist and believes in the power of women, instead of a more traditional woman who puts faith into Zeus and Apollo or even Posiedon. It also makes it sound like Medea works with the gods, instead of getting them to do things for her, and holding reverance towards them. Jason has a much different outlook on the gods. Jason also talks a female goddess, the goddess Aphrodite. Yet, Jason says how "it was Aphrodite adn no one else in heaven or earth who saved me on my voyage" (pg 50, line 526-527). By saying it in this way, Jason seems not to hold as much respect for the gods, since he is not speaking about Aphrodite with reverance. Also shows how men hold themselves above women, since he is saying how Aphrodite did his bidding for him and saved Jason.

The comparison of Medea and Jason's beliefs in the greek to emphsize the aspect of men in society. It is significant, for it shows that men see themselves above women in all aspects, even the women gods themselves.