عنوان

Political rebellion in Sophocles' 'Antigone', Anouilh's 'Antigone' and Fugard's 'The Island'

Number

TLets443779

Title Proper

Political rebellion in Sophocles' 'Antigone', Anouilh's 'Antigone' and Fugard's 'The Island'

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Christianaki, Elpida

Subsequent Statement of Responsibility

Robinson, Philip ; de Medeiros, Ana ; Cardinal, Agnes ; Anderson, Graham ; Bartley, Adam

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Kent

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2006

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of Kent

Text preceding or following the note

2006

Text of Note

This thesis presents the transformation of Antigone as a symbol of political rebellion in three plays: Sophocles' 'Antigone', Jean Anouilh's 'Antigone', and Athol Fugard's 'The Island'. Through charting the transformation of Antigone from a symbol of unmediated unity through fragmentation, conflict and disillusionment to a symbol of mediated unity in these plays I will demonstrate that the nature of Antigone's political rebellion changes from one play to the next. These changes, in turn, reflect the differing modes through which the leading character(s) find their identity. The first chapter examines Antigone's political rebellion as presented in Sophocles' play. Fragmentation is presented here as arising from the inability of specific Sophoclean characters to follow a consistent line of reasoning when debating their political cause with other characters. Conflict arises from the distinct views each character has on upholding the law. Disillusionment springs from the characters' awareness at the end of the play of the fact that their belief that they were right has blinded them into taking action against the state (Antigone) or against a rebel (Creon) in the form of an idealized cause. Chapter two defends the position that in the case of Anouilh's Antigone, Antigone's fragmentation is realized while she comes to re-think the aftermath of her rebellion against others. Conflict is seen as a series of confrontations between Antigone and other characters of the same play on the theme of political rebellion. Disillusionment is viewed in terms of the playwright's efforts to reclaim Antigone's myth for his time by presenting a dramatic rift which revolves around the changing apprehension of the consequences of Antigone's and Creon's actions. Chapter three discusses fragmentation in relation to the characters' realization that their present self is a pathetic reflection of their past aspirations. Conflict is apparent in those parts of the play where the characters face each other on the grounds of their enclosed environment. Disillusionment is studied in relation to the fusion of comic and tragic elements in 'The Island'.

P Language and Literature

Christianaki, Elpida

Anderson, Graham

Bartley, Adam

Cardinal, Agnes

de Medeiros, Ana

Robinson, Philip

University of Kent

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y