Yusra Alam Khan (1815132) Play Analysis (Antigone)

BSMS 2A

PLAY ANALYSIS
-Assignment # 01-

Yusra Alam Khan

1815132
BSMS 2A
Submitted to: Zeeshan Haider
Yusra Alam Khan (1815132) Play Analysis (Antigone)
BSMS 2A

?What does the sequence of events achieve in terms of its dramatic function??

?What does the sequence of beats within a division (scene, choral song) achieve in terms of?
?its dramatic function??

As the play Antigone opens, we are immediately introduced to Antigone and Ismene, two sisters talking
about the recent tragedy their family has faced with the death of their brothers who took each other’s
lives for the throne. And now their uncle (the new king) is honoring one brother and depriving other of a
proper burial. The writer compellingly showcases the essence of flattering in hope for favorable
outcome through Antigone’s dialogues, when she tries to persuade Ismene to go against their uncle and
bury their other brother, Polyneices too. However, Ismene turns her down and they both end up on a
bad note.

This scene leaves the audience feeling sorry for the sisters and hatred for the king, who shows such
cruelty and injustice for his own deceased nephew. However, the audience is made to reevaluate their
stance after the choral song, which shuns light on the perspective of the citizens of Thebes. The choral
song is a celebrating song, which speaks about how they were victorious against the Polyneices army.
Also, we are introduced to Creon (the new king) and his speech, where he priorities the city to utmost
and announces the harsh punishment for Polyneices (who tries to harm the city) and whoever who tries
to go against his orders of non-burial for Polyneices. Props to the writer, who subtly laid out the
unstable relationship between Creon and the chorus. And the way chorus is trying to say neutral to the
current situation. The scene becomes more captivating with the news of Polyneices burial not soon after
the announcement of the king. Surfacing of this news makes us anxious and curious about the fate of
the culprit (Antigone) and most importantly how she was able to pull off this act in presence of the
guards.

The next scene is intense and reveals many answers to audience curiosity. The choral song, in the
beginning, develops the tension, and the anticipation that things are not going to go well from here on.
Soon the scene provides us with a detail of the crime and Antigone’s attitude towards it. Also, a heated
argument takes between Antigone and Creon which compels us to try to understand each of the
characters standing and the reasons for their actions. The sudden change of events took place when
along with Antigone Ismene is held captivity too, this somehow makes you question Creon ruling.

In the next scene, we are introduced to Haemon, son of Creon’s son and Antigone’s fiancé. Initially,
Haemon doesn’t appear to be unlikable, since he takes his father side, but further into the conversation
his character shifts and tries to reason with Creon, here the audience realizes that initially like Antigone
with Ismene, Haemon was just trying to flatter and persuade his father to look from his side. But he
turns out to be unsuccessful in his attempt. Creon tells him that he let a woman cloud his judgement,
which caused a heated argument and eventually haemon storms out.

The way Antigone is supposed to be killed is also unveiled in the conversation between Chorus and
Creon. The fate of Ismene is also revealed. The quick turn of events keeps the audience in awe, from
Yusra Alam Khan (1815132) Play Analysis (Antigone)
BSMS 2A

trying to prevent Antigone from her punishment to immediate call for her fate’s implementation. The
unsettling rush for emotions is hard to deal with for an audience, straight from hope to disappointment.
This also keeps the audience uncertain for the further scene, how things will unfold.

Up till now, we are made to believe that Antigone is a strong character far more composed and
determined as compared to other women in that era, but as she comes closer to her death, we see a
different side of her, under all that rebellion is a woman who dreamt of having a prosperous married life
and since her fate is not allowing her to do so, this regret has broken her. She cries for what life has
stored for her. She still justifies her actions and begs the Gods to punish her punishers. This analysis is
achieved by observing the conversation that took place between her and the chorus.

You dive into the play, thinking that it will be about Antigone, she would be the main character, but as
the play starts to come to an end, you tend to focus on Creon, his character development, and you can’t
stop to wonder that he might be the protagonist, not Antigone. In the last scenes of the play, Tiresias
comes to talk some sense into Creon, he further elaborates that his actions are going against Gods will.
However, somehow Creon seems not to understand it accuses Tiresias of being bribed. He then warns
Creon that he would have multiple deaths in his family if he doesn’t change his ways.

After His departure and chorus’ much persuasion, Creon gives up and goes to free Antigone. But he
arrives too late, Antigone dies along with Haemon, whereas back home, his wife commits suicide as
well.

You are astonished to see, that despite a drastic character improvement, nothing changed. The play
started with tragedy and ended with tragedy. The play was unexpected and captivating. Even the small
characters enhanced the unfolding of the story. And every single storyline and character had a
significant impact on the ending of the play. However, many questions are left unanswered, for
example, how is Creon going to deal with the loss, fate of Ismene and the city? What are Gods going to
do etc.? The unexpected transpire of events is the heart of the play, that is what keeps the audience
interested and longing for more.

The choral songs between the scenes have a huge impact on the audience. It can be viewed as a
connotation. Each song depicts what might have happened in that era, the structure, the living. This
helps the audience to better understand the unfolding of the play. Within the choral song, you are
provided with two aspects to look at. Which aid us in understanding the play better? Whereas, the beats
within a scene appears as an obstacle that comes in the way of the character and their wants. For
example, the sequence where the watchman is providing Creon with unnecessary details and story and
not answering the question. This creates tension with the character and audience and anchors their
attention