COMPARISON OF SOPHOCLES and ANOUILH

The composition of Jean Anouilh's Antigone is apparently based on the plan of Sophocles' classical play, for there are many similarities. As in the ancient model, Antigone buries Polynices despite Ismene's advice. She defies Creon, and the king orders her death. Both end with the deaths of Antigone and Haemon and Creon's misery.

There are even more differences in the two plays. Anouilh's character of Creon is very different from the brutal, proud king of Sophocles. Creon in this play has a desire to help his niece and hates having to make a decision about her death; Sophocles' Creon suffers from a much greater obstinacy. Anouilh also invents the character of the nurse and allows Haemon to make his appearance on stage. As a result, the sensitivity and the youth of Antigone are emphasized. In Sophocles, the dialogue between Antigone and Ismene precedes the younger sister's attempt at burial. In Anouilh, Antigone has already made her first attempt to cover Polynices' body when the two sisters talk. Also in this play, Antigone is much more cut off from the world, remaining distant from those who once surrounded her. She already belongs to the tragic universe, as it is defined by the author, with its emphasis on death. Anouilh also introduces a new scene, in which Antigone is the target of the guards' brutality. Finally, the Chorus in Sophocles' play gives the tragedy a mythical backdrop, which is not found in Anouilh's play.

The dialogue between Creon and Antigone is much more forceful in Anouilh's than in Sophocles' play. The verbal combat and the powerful debate between these two characters is thrilling to see on stage. On the other hand, Anouilh tones down the Chorus. Its subdued role in this play serves to demystify the original play. Additionally, Anouilh's play is almost over after Creon's decision. On the contrary, Sophocles' tragedy is only half way through. Unlike Sophocles, Anouilh emphasizes the question of human happiness in the play.

1) In the scenes that precede the dialogue with Creon, Antigone breaks, one after the other, the chains which link her to her routine, simple happiness. Hence, the dialogues with the nurse, with Ismene and with Haemon are crucial.

2) The first half of her dialogue with Creon slowly exposes the lack of rational thinking in the young girl's arguments. But in mentioning the word, 'happiness,' he has identified the innermost reason for Antigone's refusal.

3) Antigone, finally knowing herself, justifies her acts by a refusal of time and of existence, which can be considered as a form of suicide.

The two tragedies, Sophocles' Antigone and Jean Anouilh's Antigone have points of similarity and distinction in theme, technique, content, and style of presentation. Both are brilliant tragic plays exploring a universal issue. But they also have many differences that make both plays interesting to study.

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