Analysing perspectives in Antigone

In World Literature you are asked to show independence of thought, to develop a personal response to literature. One way to help you do so is toanalyse different perspectives or viewpoints a reader may have to a character, theme or idea in a text. By exploring two perspectives you can reach a greater understanding about how and why the author has constructed the character theme or idea that way. Firstly let s explore two different representations of , Antigone s character.

Antigone
First perspective: Antigone is a courageous martyr the heroine in the play Statement: Antigone is constructed as a young, innocent girl who is loved and in love. She is shown to be too young to stand up, alone, against a king and yet she pursues her goal with tenacity and fortitude. Supporting evidence from the play: y Initial stage direction shows Antigone her hands clasped around her knees, sitting on the top step (p9). y Chorus introduces Antigone as young thin and alone in the prologue (p9, p10). y Antigone tells Nurse When you cry like that, I become a little girl again; and I mustn t be a little girl today (p17). y Antigone buries her brother with a toy shovel (p40). y Polynice is home from the hunt. I owe it to him to unlock the house of the dead in which my father and my mother are waiting to welcome him. Polynice has earned his rest (p41). y Antigone replies to Creon, I never doubted for an instant that you would have me put to death (p42). y Creon offers to lie for Antigone and get rid of the guards yet Antigone replies You are going to a lot of trouble for no good reason. You must know that I ll do it all over again tonight (p41). Second perspective: Antigone is a wilful and self centred creature the villain in the play Statement: Antigone s defiant and naive traits are foregrounded to build an image of a woman insistent on getting her own way, regardless of the cost. Supporting evidence from the play: y Ismene tells Antigone she is impulsive , stubborn and lacking the ability to understand others perspectives (p19). y Antigone even describes herself as a nasty brat , a wilful wicked girl who disobeys and deserves to be punished (p19). y Creon describes her as proud Nothing less than a cosy tea party with death and destiny will quench your thirst (p43). y He goes on to say stubborn though you always were (p44) finally exclaiming Prideful Antigone! (p46). y Antigone states to Creon that she acted For nobody. For myself (p46). y During the climax of the play, in the conflict between Antigone and Creon her tone is described in stage directions as contemptuous (p52). y Antigone is almost convinced by Creon to return to her room (p56).

Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: stage directions 1. 2. 3. Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about citizenship? About Antigone? Anouilh depicts the belief that even those who are small and powerless are capable of standing up against oppression. The toy shovel is symbolic of childhood; leaving it behind at Polynice s grave illustrates that for Antigone her time of play and innocence is over now that she has defied the king s orders. The shovel also constructs Antigone s determination, as she has no other tools to help her yet she still perseveres. What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded? Anouilh demonstrates through Antigone s actions that laws made by tyrannical leaders are less significant than a person s obligation to their family and individual conscience. Antigone s desire to provide rest for her brother following his metaphorical hunt reveals her need to give comfort and rest to her sibling. As a result, audience members are provoked to consult their own moral compass, rather than relying on the direction set by society.

Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: 1. 2. 3. Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about citizenship (what makes a good or bad citizen)? About Antigone? What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded?

What final, greater understanding or conclusion have you reached about Anouilh s decision to portray Antigone as a character with both heroic and villainous traits?

Now in your group of two or three explore two different representations of Creon s character:

Creon
Creon is a tyrannical leader the villain in the play Group 2 Statement: Group 3 Statement: Supporting evidence from the play: (max 3 quotes) Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about leadership? About Creon? What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded? Supporting evidence from the play: (max 3 quotes) Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about leadership? About Creon? What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded? Creon is a practical and reliable leader the hero in the play Group 4 Statement: Group 5 Statement: Group 6 Statement: Supporting evidence from the play: (max 3 quotes) Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about leadership? About Creon? What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded? Supporting evidence from the play: (max 3 quotes) Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about leadership? About Creon? What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded? Supporting evidence from the play: (max 3 quotes) Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about leadership? About Creon? What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded?

Group 1 Statement: Supporting evidence from the play: (max 3 quotes) Technique/s used by Anouilh to construct this representation: Analysis: What is Anouilh revealing about leadership? About Creon? What attitude about an individual s duty to self, family and the state (country and authority) is foregrounded?

After reading all the groups perspectives, what conclusion have you reached about Anouilh s decision to portray Creon as a character with both heroic and villainous traits?

Homework activity

Ms, How do I study for English?

Write a paragraph which explores how Anouilh s characterisation of Antigone constructs the theme of individual conscience versus social conformity. Write a paragraph which explores how Anouilh s characterisation of Creon constructs the theme of freedom. Write a linking sentence at the end of the first paragraph to act as a bridge between the two ideas. Extra, extra activity: Complete an analysing perspectives task for another character, such as Haemon.