Christopher Gebauer! Cl_Hum 4600 - Classical Tradition! February 6, 2014!

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Pride over Power! Jean Anouilhs Antigone was performed in German occupied Paris, France

during World War II. The censorship council of the Nazi regime approved Anouilhs adaptation, but because of the plays opposition to authority theme it was highly controversial. Although Antigone was originally written by Sophocles, Anouilh adapts the play to t in the war time era. The tragedy itself renders a perfect framework of the overall outcome of World War II. King of Thebes, Creon, symbolizes Germany as the state and power. Antigone illustrates the rebellion against tyranny, along with ghting for the gods. She represents the underdog, which in this case is France. State versus Religion provokes this tragedy through Antigones wishes to bury Polynices, one of her two brother that died ghting over power. She is left with just her sister, Ismene, who fears persecution and represents repression. Her relationship with Haemon, her ancee and son of Creon, demonstrates anguish near the end of the play. Anouilh utilizes the characters in this tragedy, and parallels them to circumstances of the interactions of France and Germany in World War II. By the end of Antigone, Anouilh presents many perspectives of support and opposition in the war.! ! Anouilh writes this dramatic tragedy in France, 1943 under the Vichy regime.

Through his work Antigone, he presents possible support for the occupation of France. Creon epitomizes power and cruelty through his command, portraying Germany and the Nazis. But, this can be debated because of how Anouilh admires Antigone for her loyalty to her family and moral compass. The Vichy regime were merely puppets supervised

closely by the Germans after their victory in 1940 at the Battle of France. Antigone manifests rejection of authority constantly through the tragedy, but Creons ability to control her outburst overwhelms the weight of her rebellion in the eyes of the Nazis. The Germans controlled France and much of Eastern Europe, and had the mindset of all-out victory and nothing less. Creons strength parallels that of the Nazi regime, encouraging the censorship council to produce Anouilhs Antigone. The Chorus, You are out of your mind, Creon. What have you done? Creon, She had to die. (44, Anouilh)! ! The Chorus begins the play telling of the devastation Antigone and Ismene have

felt through the losses of their father and two brothers. Oedipus is gone from rule, along with his two sons leaving Creon with the duty as King of Thebes. Creons new position represents the Germans governing and controlling France. He begins his rule by decreeing that Eteocles may be buried, but Polynices must lie in the eld to be eaten by scavengers and those that attempt to bury him will be killed. This begins the conict of the tragedy, but also represents Anouilhs start of demonstrating Antigone as a French Resistance character. " ! Creon believes he is making the right choices for the state. A resemblance of

Creons repugnance towards morals and common decency towards human life when defying the state rivals that of the Germans. Hard decisions were placed upon Creon, and he began his reign on a bad foundation. The city of Thebes had been cursed by the Sphinx, plagued by Oedipus and Jocastas fullling of the prophecy told to King Laius, and also the Seven Against Thebes. The misfortunes and attacks on Thebes signify French resistance and the submission against the Germans. A different perspective of the afictions associates them with the sanctions on Germany post World War I. They

lead to the masses of Germany deprived in economic turmoil looking for a scapegoat, and to once again be a great nation. " ! Anouilhs Antigone differs from that of Sophocles because the crime has already

been done in Anouilhs version. Ismene attempts to reason with Antigone that Creon has an army of eyes and ears, and that she must leave Polynices alone. Ismene realizes that Antigone will be used to send a message against deance if she proceeded. When news reached Creon he was livid, but ordered for the scene to be disguised." ! Anouilh was inspired to write Antigone from Paul Collettes actions of resistance

against the Legion of the French Volunteers. He nds himself struck with a revival of heroism against powers inuencing him to create his version of Sophocles Antigone. Anouilh embodies Collette as Antigone through both their rebellious spirits and martyrdom. Anouilh empathizes with Antigone for her bravery and moral righteousness. Antigone fought for what she believed in until death. Anouilh perceives Creon as not wanting to be a bad guy, and that his motives and actions are only for the good of the kingdom. The role Antigone plays with Haemon in the legacy of Creons household is important, and he does not want to ruin it. But, he can not put down his pride to save his family. Antigone proclaims that Creon should have allowed Polynices burial, but because of his edict her fate is only death." ! Ismene pleads with Creon for her sisters forgiveness, and that she will bury

Polynices herself then. Ismene, Ill do it alone tonight. Antigone, You hear that, Creon? The thing is catching! Who knows but that lots of people will catch the disease from me! (44, Anouilh) This demonstrates that Antigones resistance is contagious and

spreading. Antigones charism represents the people of France attempting to nd their voice. The resistance she begun illustrated her desire for justice. Antigone symbolizes that one girl, a small light in the darkness, can begin to make a difference in a war.! ! Creon is punished for hubris, and the loss of his family plays the role of his nal

lesson for his pride and cruelty. Creon parallels the Nazi Germans through his application of laws, leading with an iron st, and hubris, the overestimation of ones own capabilities through acting godlike. Just as Creon is punished for his deeds, so were the German occupants for theirs. ! ! Although it can be argued that Anouilh supports the French resistance through

Antigone, it can also be disputed that he sponsored the Vichy regime through Creons condemning of rebellion. Anouilh portrays Creon as a rational and reasonable man as well though, Creon, My part is not a heroic one, but I shall play my part. I shall have you put to death. Only, before I do, I want to make one last appealAntigone, do you know what you are ghting for? (38, Anouilh) In the end, Creon remains victorious standing alone. He lost his family, but he retained his power. The Germans pre-World War II were devastated by New York Stock Exchange Crash in 1929, thrown into a depression built of withdrawn loans. Much like Creon, by 1932 when the National Socialist German Workers Party came into power under Hitler, Germany as a nation was willing to ght and lose everything for redemption and power.! ! Anouilhs Antigone portrays that those of lesser powers can still be heard and will

be seen. But this play does more than that, it is propagandizing France about the ability to revolt, rebel, and resist. Although Antigones fate is that of an earthly lovers tomb,

she condones a sense of beauty and righteousness with her ability to die for what she believed. Anouilh understood that although Creon, the greater power, repressed Antigones resistance exemplifying support towards Germanys Vichy government, Antigones story of standing alone resisting Creons edict is a beacon of hope for the French. Jean Anouilh wrote Antigone to inspire the French people to rise above their German overseers. The tragedy of Antigone fosters the theme of rejection of authority along with moral justice. Antigone contends against a tyrannic ruler, just as the French and Allied Forces against the Nazis. Anouilhs adaptation of the tragedy advocates for the support against the Nazi forces, and to ght the right moral war against the wrong powers.