Theatre

Law of man or law of nature This question faithfully relates to the story of Antigone, one of Sophocles finest tragedy. The plot, the scenes, the dialogues of this wonderful drama will engage all readers to their own production their own stage play or film in mind. Reading through the pages of the book is like taking part in the scenes and sorrows of Antigone.

    Antigone is the daughter of Oedipus the King, who ignorantly murdered his father, married his own mother and fathered four children Eteocles, Polyneices, Ismene, and Antigone. Antigone continues the story of the doom that befell the blood of Oedipus. The palace is surrounded with gloomy silence. The sympathy from those who have witnessed the ill fate of the family should better be left unexpressed. King Creon, a stern old man with a thunder voice, announces his tyrannical rule with certain pride and conviction. The people murmur about the king denying Polyneices a fine burial. The death of her brothers causes Antigone an unspeakable pain. In solitude, she weeps for her family, for her dead brother. As she weeps, she thinks about Polyneices cold body that lies on the ground, scorned and disregarded. She carefully organizes her schemes on her mind. The kings indifference to her brothers corpse is purely unjust. She knew the people share her sentiments in silence, but she cannot  compromise anybodys safety by asking his or her assistance on what she is about to do. Then it occurs to her that Ismene, her sister, is the best person to ask.

    In the sisters meeting, one can tell their characters just by looking at them. Ismene is reserved, shy, and feminine. She shudders as Antigone describes the fate of their brothers soul if he will not be granted any rites of burial. She feels like escaping the reality that Antigone states, so she attempts to dissuade Antigone in executing her plans. She wants to save the only family that she has now. On the other hand, the headstrong Antigone has an ashen face that shows her grief and her wide, watchful eyes reflect her unshaken will. Her indignation towards her sisters cowardice only justifies her courage. She calls on the gods to evaluate her plight and judge on her deeds. As she sprinkles the sand with love and pity for Polyneices, the chorus sings a mocking yet menacing tune that aims to cast a feeling of both suspense and satire to Creons authority. 

    The outburst of Creon echoes in the halls of palace. Antigones bold stance and calmness suggests she does not regret her deeds. Her punishment, meanwhile, urges her to finally yield to the dark end that awaits her. The following scenes the death of Antigone, the self-destruction of Haemon, the demise of Eurydice, and the repentance of Creon happen in a fast and rapid blow that will not give the audience a fine time to process them. The chorus in the Exodus (1154-1353) is a little slower to let the audience internalize and evaluate the conclusion of the drama, to feel the emotions and undergo purgation. Although Antigones character has been atoned in the end, Sophocles leaves an underlying question of whether to follow the law of man or the law of nature. Do the reasons of Antigone and Creon justify their deeds