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Best to describe the different and the similiarity between the book and the movie. Personal perspective is not necessary for the essay.
here is the link for the movie
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Student’s Name
Comparison and Contrast of Themes in Sophocles’ Inexorable Tragedy
The Good Life-Spring 2018 Section
Jamal Benin, Ph.D. Asst. Prof. of Instruction
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Comparison and Contrast of Themes in Sophocles’ Inexorable Tragedy
Antigone is a play presented by two different personalities. Sophocles first wrote it in 441
BC. However, it was later filmed into a movie by the French playwright Jean Anouilh. Notably,
the plot is the same in both since Creon who is the king forbids the proper burial of Polyneices
who is termed as a traitor since he killed his brother Eteocles. Nonetheless, Antigone who is the
sister of Polyneices wants a decent burial for her brother. Hence, she disobeys orders restricting
her from burying the brother correctly, and she goes ahead to do it. She is later killed. Thus, the
two plays are almost alike; hence, there are numerous similarities. Nevertheless, there are also
noticeable differences in the two plays. Therefore, the paper aims at comparing and contrasting
different renditions offered by Sophocles and Anouilh in the two plays.
Firstly, there is the aspect of men’s unyielding authority. In has some similarity in the two
plays. In both cases, it can be seen that it is the men who are after power. Firstly, Oedipus
killed his father Laius who was the king. Afterward, it was discovered that he was the murderer.
Thus, as punishment, he was banished, and he left Thebes. It is worth not that his two sons
were the ones who were supposed to take over the throne. However, they were too young;
hence, Creon occupied the seat buying time until they grew up. Afterward, they were big
enough, and the older son was expected to be the king. However, the younger son Eteocles
claimed the throne leaving his older brother. The situation caused some conflict and enmity. As
a result, Polyneices gathered an army to attack Eteocles who was now the king. Nevertheless,
in the battle, they all died.
Hence, it can be seen that Polyneices was the one supposed to be the king but Eteocles
was too hungry to get into power depriving his brother the throne. Besides, Polyneices wanted
to yield into power as well and that is why he formed an army to attack his brother. Hence, the
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need to be powerful led to a battle and they both ended up killing each other. After that, there
was no ruler in the community. Thus, Creon again ascended into power. Notably, the chance
was not given to Antigone since she was a woman. Creon started exercising power manifested
on him and during a conversation with Antigone, he says that he has taken the task of
governing on his shoulders, and he must face the consequences. Additionally, he convinces her
that there must be men who accept responsibilities. Also, despite the fact that Antigone is his
niece, he gives orders for her to be killed just to show his manhood and status. Therefore, it can
be seen that it is only men who yield into authority in both plays.
Additionally, both Sophocles and Anouilh explore the issue of law. Apparently, there are
two types of law as seen in the plays; that is, unwritten natural law and written law. Unwritten
natural law may be defined as the divine law. It is in the conscience of individuals; hence,
humans are obliged to morally obey it. For instance, when Creon restricted a proper burial to
Polyneices, Antigone felt that he was disobeying the divine law. Notably, there is no law stated
that one must be buried under the soil. However, it was in Antigone’s conscience that his
brother should be given a proper burial irrespective of the conditions. On the contrary, the
written law can be defined as the human law. It is developed by humans especially leaders to
aid in the governance of the society. Thus, Creon as a king set his own rules to govern his
people. Nonetheless, he forgot the divine law and at the end, he ordered the death of Antigone.
Hence, the unwritten and written laws are similar in the two plays.
Furthermore, there is the theme of women’s power. It contrasts in the two plays. In
Sophocles play which is acted in the ancient times, Antigone and Creon are involved in an
argument, and everyone gives their point of view. However, the argument is short, and Creon is
the one that mostly dominates the debate. Lastly, he argues that Antigo...