Journal #6: Word Choice

Anouilh repeats the words yes and no several times in the conversation between Antigone and Creon. I believe that Anouilh chose to rewrite this play and use yes and no so often is to show the significance of making one's own decisions, which is a big theme in Antigone. Other Greek tragedies are deeply rooted in the idea of fate and gods controlling decisions, but Antigone is prevalently rooted in the idea of choice and creating one's own destiny, which Anouilh must have found important.

Anouilh uses the ambiguous term of life in the conversation as well. Creon sees it as opportunity, but Antigone sees it as something that can become worthless and should end when the time is right. Such a conversation between the two can get twisted if their interpretations of life are very different.

Journal #5: Motivation of Jason

Jason is motivated to be angry with Medea by the fact that she killed his sons. Not only is he angry that she killed them, but he feels that she does not understand Jason's point of view. Jason believes he is completely justified in marrying another woman, because he is supporting Medea. But Medea, after sacrificing so much for Jason, wants him all to herself because she believes she deserves him. Jason does not understand the idea of monogamy, apparently, and the pair definitely does not see eye to eye. So Jason is appaled and furious with Medea, who goes to such lengths as to kill Jason's bride and sons.

"You miserable, mephitic woman! Beyond abhorrence..." (74)
"Leave me to mourn my destiny of pain: my fresh young wedding without joy, my sons begot and reared and lost..." (75)
"Poor children, what a monster fate gave you for a mother!" (75)

Journal #4: literary techniques and their effects

Imagery: "...through the smell of them and their cruel, roaring laughter." Ismene is very afraid of getting into trouble, and the use of imagery highlights her characteristics of being a good, obedient woman.
Repetition:"Stronger than all fever..." (14) The repetition of strength provides the idea that the Nurse is very important to Antigone and will play a significant role later in the book. It also highlights the role of men versus women in a position of strength, as Sophocles puts men in the strong role and Anouilh is being different by putting women in a strong role.
Metaphor:"A little young for what, my kitten?" (14) Anouilh uses terms of endearment for Antigone to show that she is a sweet girl that one should feel sympathy for. The nurse loves Antigone, and we shall, as well.
Foreshadowing:"And we shall suffer..." (12) This use of foreshadow plays with the fact that the audience knows what will happen, so it is a form of dramatic irony. Also, the chorus at the beginning lets the reader know what will happen, which is a further use of dramatic irony.

Journal #3: What do you know about the 1940s in Europe and how do you predict that will influence Anouilh's version of Antigone?

Anouilh was a Frenchman during WWII when Antigone was written, which was a very turbulent time. The harsh realities of war are most likely reflected in the book, when the two brothers are fighting and kill one another. The line separating absolute good and absolute evil may have been blurred, as there could have been people that Anouilh knew serving both sides of the war, which also appears in the story when Antigone is conflicted with the fact that she loves her brother and that he was a bad person.

Antigone Journal #2: Casting Antigone

Antigone- "Justice, that dwells with the gods below, knows no such law."
"Publish it to all the world! Else I shall hate you more."
"Ismene dear, my dear Ismene!"
Kate Winslet-compassionate but focused on doing what's right, serious and driven
Brown hair, thin, pretty

Ismene- "We are women; it is not for us to fight against men"
"O sister, sister, let me share your death"
"How can I still help you?"
Rachel McAdams-normally bubbly but sobered by the serious situation, anxious
very thin, brown hair, very pretty

Haemon- "By your wise decisions my life is ruled"
"It isn't a question of age, but of right and wrong"
"Let those that will be witness of your wickedness..."
Leonardo DiCaprio- serious, a good guy, muscular

Antigone Journal #1
Knowledge Level (The recall of specific information):
What is Antigone's sister's name?
Which of her brothers was hated by the people of Thebes?
Comprehension Level (An understanding of what was read):
Why does Ismene not want to help Antigone?
Why is it dangerous for Antigone to bury her brother?
Analysis (The comparison and contrast of the content to personal experiences):
Why does one feel conflicted about the burial of one's brother?
How does one respond to the death of a sibling?
Evaluation (The judgment and evaluation of characters, actions, outcomes, etc…):
Why does the death of a close one prompt two unique responses?

Journal #3: Compare the elements of tragedy in Medea and Oedipus

Tragedy is a complex theory to give an exact definition for. It is a play in which the audience goes through catharsis, or purging of fear and pity. In Oedipus, the title character is the one that the audience feels pity and fear for. Oedipus is a strong, dignified leader, and he gets these unfortunate circumstances with his parents that crushes his dignity. Interestingly enough, the audience, including myself, wants to get to the end of the story where Oedipus falls apart. It makes me feel a bit disgusting that I want to see the downfall of a dignified man, but that is what tragedy is. Medea has a similar effect, in which I want to see how the story ends, and how characters react in the end. But I am vying for Medea to get revenge in the end, because I felt pity for her about the Jason situation. But my fear that I felt in Oedipus was for Oepdipus's wife/mother, who kills herself. I feel fear toward Medea, but I feel more anger toward Jason and desire for revenge.

Journal #2: How are Jason's and Medea's attitudes and interactions with the gods different?
Jason uses the gods to justify that he is a good person, while Medea uses the gods to prove that Jason is a bad person. "O Zeus and lady daughter, Justice, O resplendent Sun! And you my friends, at last we are on the road to vengeance" (764-766). Medea thanks the gods for their help in securing her plan against Jason. "Zeus, do you hear how I'm at bay[?]" (1405) shows that Jason is speaking of the gods to show that he is a humble man, and that he believes his life is controlled by the gods. The fact that he often brings up the subject of the gods gives Jason a "holier-than-thou" complex so his image of a good, strong, dominating man is not ruined. Medea seems to find more value in the gods, and actually prays for their help instead of appearing payerful. Both Jason and Medea reference the gods often, however, showing they are a prominent aspect of people's lives in the time of Euripides.