Antigone (Hackett Classics) Characters and Conflicts: A Study of the Roles and Relationships in the Play
H1 Antigone (Hackett Classics) Download: A Review of the Play by Jean Anouilh --- --- H2 Introduction H3 What is Antigone about? H3 Who are the main characters? H3 Why is Antigone a classic? H2 Summary of the Plot H3 Part I: The Chorus introduces the players H3 Part II: Antigone buries Polynices and is arrested by Creon H3 Part III: Haemon tries to persuade Creon to spare Antigone H3 Part IV: Antigone and Creon confront each other H3 Part V: The Chorus comments on the tragedy H3 Part VI: Teiresias warns Creon of his fate H3 Part VII: Eurydice learns of Haemon's death and kills herself H3 Part VIII: Creon realizes his mistake and begs for death H2 Analysis of the Themes and Symbols H3 The conflict between divine law and human law H3 The role of fate and free will H3 The power of love and loyalty H3 The symbolism of light and darkness H2 Conclusion H3 What is the message of Antigone? H3 How does Antigone relate to modern times? H3 Where can you download Antigone (Hackett Classics)? And here is the article I wrote based on the outline: Antigone (Hackett Classics) Download: A Review of the Play by Jean Anouilh ## Introduction If you are looking for a classic play that explores timeless themes such as justice, morality, family, and courage, you might want to download Antigone (Hackett Classics) by Jean Anouilh. This play is a modern adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy by Sophocles, which tells the story of Antigone, a young woman who defies the tyrannical king Creon to bury her brother Polynices, who died fighting against his own city. In this article, we will review the plot, the characters, and the themes of Antigone, and show you where you can download this masterpiece for free. ### What is Antigone about? Antigone is set in Thebes, a city that has just been ravaged by a civil war between two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, who both claimed the throne after their father Oedipus died. Eteocles defended the city, while Polynices attacked it with a foreign army. Both brothers killed each other in battle, leaving their uncle Creon as the new king. Creon decrees that Eteocles should be buried with honors, while Polynices should be left unburied as a traitor. Anyone who dares to bury Polynices will be punished with death. Antigone, the sister of Eteocles and Polynices, believes that her brother deserves a proper burial, according to the laws of the gods. She secretly covers his body with dust, but is caught by Creon's guards. She does not deny her act, and challenges Creon's authority. Creon is furious, and sentences her to be locked in a stone vault until she dies. He also ignores the pleas of his son Haemon, who is engaged to Antigone, and the warnings of the blind prophet Teiresias, who foretells that Creon will bring disaster upon himself and his family if he does not spare Antigone. Creon's stubbornness leads to a tragic outcome: Antigone hangs herself in the vault, Haemon kills himself out of grief, and Creon's wife Eurydice stabs herself when she learns of her son's death. Creon is left alone and broken, wishing for his own death. ### Who are the main characters? The main characters of Antigone are: - Antigone: The protagonist of the play, she is a brave and loyal young woman who values her family and her faith more than her life. She defies Creon's edict to bury her brother Polynices, and accepts the consequences of her actions. She is engaged to Haemon, Creon's son, but she does not let her love interfere with her duty. She represents the ideal of divine law, which transcends human law. - Creon: The antagonist of the play, he is the king of Thebes and the uncle of Antigone. He is a harsh and arrogant ruler who believes that his word is law. He refuses to listen to anyone who disagrees with him, and punishes Antigone for her disobedience. He values order and stability more than justice and compassion. He represents the ideal of human law, which is based on power and reason. - Haemon: The son of Creon and the fiancé of Antigone, he is a young man who loves Antigone and respects his father. He tries to persuade Creon to spare Antigone, but he is rejected and insulted by him. He chooses to die with Antigone, rather than live without her. He represents the ideal of love, which is stronger than death. - The Chorus: A group of elders who comment on the action and the characters of the play, they act as a bridge between the audience and the actors. They provide background information, express opinions, ask questions, and give advice. They represent the voice of reason and moderation, which is often ignored by the main characters. - The Guards: Three soldiers who are in charge of watching over Polynices' body and arresting Antigone, they are comic relief characters who contrast with the seriousness of the play. They are indifferent to the tragedy that unfolds before them, and care only about their own safety and comfort. They represent the voice of common sense and pragmatism, which is often overlooked by the main characters. ### Why is Antigone a classic? Antigone is a classic because it deals with universal themes that are relevant to any time and place. It explores the conflict between individual conscience and social authority, between divine law and human law, between fate and free will, between love and duty, between light and darkness. It also portrays complex and realistic characters who face difficult moral dilemmas and tragic consequences. It challenges the audience to think about their own values and beliefs, and to question their own actions and responsibilities. ## Summary of the Plot Here is a brief summary of the plot of Antigone, divided into eight parts: ### Part I: The Chorus introduces the players The play begins with the Chorus introducing the main characters: Antigone, Haemon, Ismene, Creon, Eurydice, and the Nurse. They also explain the background story: how Oedipus killed his father and married his mother, how he blinded himself and left Thebes, how his sons Eteocles and Polynices fought for the throne and killed each other, how Creon became king and ordered that Polynices should not be buried. They also foreshadow the tragedy that will happen: how Antigone will rise up alone and die young. ### Part II: Antigone buries Polynices and is arrested by Creon The scene shifts to Antigone's house, where she sneaks out in the early morning to bury her brother Polynices. She returns home and meets her sister Ismene, who tries to dissuade her from her plan. Antigone reveals that she has already done it, and sends Ismene away. She also meets her fiancé Haemon, who does not know what she has done. She tells him that she will never marry him, and asks him to hold her tight. He leaves confused. Meanwhile, Creon learns from one of his guards that someone has covered Polynices' body with dust. He orders them to find out who did it and keep it secret. The guards catch Antigone in the act of burying her brother again. They bring her to Creon, who is shocked to see his niece as the culprit. He questions her, but she admits her guilt proudly. She argues that she obeyed the laws of the gods, not his unjust laws. Creon decides to lock her in a stone vault until she dies. ### Part III: Haemon tries to persuade Creon to spare Antigone Creon's son Haemon comes to see his father. He tells him that he loves him and respects him as a king. He also tells him that he loves Antigone and begs him to spare her life. He says that the people of Thebes sympathize with her and think that she did a noble deed. He warns him that if he kills Antigone, he will lose his son as well. Creon does not listen to Haemon's words. He accuses him of being a weak fool who is blinded by love. He says that he will not let a woman rule over him or tell him what to do. He says that he will bring Antig Here is the rest of the article I wrote based on the outline and the search results: ### The power of love and loyalty Another theme of Antigone is the power of love and loyalty. Love and loyalty are the motives that drive Antigone to bury her brother, Haemon to support his fiancée, and Eurydice to follow her son. Love and loyalty are also the forces that bind the characters together, despite their differences and conflicts. Antigone shows her love and loyalty for her brother Polynices, who she considers a hero and a victim of fate. She does not care about his crimes or his enemies, but only about his dignity and honor. She says that she would not have done the same for her husband or her children, because they can be replaced, but not her brother. She also shows her love and loyalty for Haemon, who she loves deeply and sincerely. She regrets that she will never marry him, but she does not regret her choice to bury her brother. Haemon shows his love and loyalty for Antigone, who he admires and respects. He does not care about her defiance or her fate, but only about her courage and virtue. He says that he would not have loved anyone else, because she is the only one who matches his soul. He also shows his love and loyalty for his father Creon, who he loves as a son and as a subject. He tries to persuade him to spare Antigone, but he does not rebel against him. He chooses to die with Antigone, rather than live without her. Eurydice shows her love and loyalty for her son Haemon, who she loves as a mother and as a queen. She does not care about his passion or his suicide, but only about his grief and pain. She says that she has no other son, because he was the only one who gave her joy. She also shows her love and loyalty for her husband Creon, who she loves as a wife and as a partner. She does not blame him for their son's death, but she curses him for his crimes. ### The symbolism of light and darkness One of the main symbols of Antigone is the contrast between light and darkness. Light represents life, hope, reason, order, and justice. Darkness represents death, despair, emotion, chaos, and injustice. Antigone is associated with darkness throughout the play. She buries her brother at night, under the cover of darkness. She is locked in a dark vault, where she will die alone. She prefers to die in darkness than to live in light. She says that she belongs to the dead more than to the living. Creon is associated with light throughout the play. He rules over Thebes by day, under the sun of law and order. He exposes Polynices' body to the light, where it will rot in shame. He prefers to live in light than to die in darkness. He says that he belongs to the living more than to the dead. However, the play also shows that light and darkness are not absolute or exclusive. Antigone has moments of light in her life, such as her love for Haemon and her faith in the gods. Creon has moments of darkness in his life, such as his pride and his tyranny. The play suggests that both light and darkness are part of human nature and human destiny. ## Conclusion In conclusion, Antigone is a classic play that explores timeless themes such as justice, morality, family, and courage. It portrays complex and realistic characters who face difficult moral dilemmas and tragic consequences. It challenges the audience to think about their own values and beliefs, and to question their own actions and responsibilities. ### What is the message of Antigone? The message of Antigone is that there is no simple or easy answer to the conflict between divine law and human law, between fate and free will, between love and duty, between light and darkness. The play shows that both sides have their merits and flaws, their strengths and weaknesses, their virtues and vices. The play also shows that both sides have their costs and benefits, their rewards and punishments, their joys and sorrows. The play does not offer a clear or definitive solution to this conflict, but rather invites the audience to reflect on it and to find their own balance between them. The play also warns the audience of the dangers of extremism and absolutism, of ignoring or rejecting one side or the other completely. The play suggests that a wise ruler should respect both divine law and human law, and be humble and compassionate. The play also suggests that a wise person should follow both fate and free will, and be courageous and loyal. The play also suggests that a wise life should embrace both light and darkness, and be hopeful and realistic. ### How does Antigone relate to modern times? Antigone relates to modern times because it deals with issues and questions that are still relevant and important today. For example: - How do we balance our individual conscience and our social authority? - How do we respect the laws of the gods and the laws of the state? - How do we honor our family and our country? - How do we cope with the consequences of our choices and actions? - How do we deal with the tragedy and suffering in our lives? Antigone also relates to modern times because it inspires us to stand up for what we believe in, to challenge injustice and oppression, to defend our rights and dignity, to love and be loyal to our loved ones, and to face our fate and destiny with courage and faith. ### Where can you download Antigone (Hackett Classics)? If you are interested in reading Antigone (Hackett Classics) by Jean Anouilh, you can download it for free from the following website: [https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/31492](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/31492) This website offers a free ebook version of Antigone (Hackett Classics) in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, HTML, and TXT. You can also read it online or print it out. Alternatively, you can also buy a paperback or hardcover edition of Antigone (Hackett Classics) from Amazon or other online bookstores. I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful. Thank you for reading!
Antigone (Hackett Classics) Download
71b2f0854b