Antigone by Jean Anouilh

Antigone is the eponymous title of a dramatic play in which a large number of themes are confronted. First written by Sophocles in 442 BC and then reinterpreted during the Occupation of 1944 by Jean Anouilh, this work is certainly one of the most famous in classical literature.

Antigone as told by Jean Anouilh

's rewriting of Antigone was a great success for various reasons, including the fact that he placed the main character at the center of many central societal themes. Whether out of personal attachment, school memories, or theatrical emotion, audiences continue to flock to theaters offering reinterpretations and re-readings of this play. The first performance of Jean Anouilh's rewriting took place at the Théâtre de l'Atelier in Paris in February 1944. For his work, the playwright chose to structure it in four acts. He described it thus: "Sophocles' Antigone [...] was a sudden shock to me during the war [...]. I rewrote it in my own way, with the resonance of the tragedy we were then experiencing."

Indeed, the reason this play had such a profound impact at the time is that it brought to light a number of essential themes, including the conflict between morality and politics, as well as the conflict between generations. Almost 80 years later, the subjects addressed in the play Antigone still seem relevant.

What is a dramatic play?

To recognize a dramatic play like Antigone, it's essential to understand all its specific writing and performance conventions. While theater is governed by established writing styles, it's crucial to remember that its primary purpose is to be seen. Depending on the play, its genre, the playwright's intentions, and the era, everything that constitutes a theatrical production changes and is transformed: the number of acts, acting styles, sets, lighting, sound, and so on. 

Aristotle, whom we know for his philosophy, considered the dramatic genre the best way to set human actions in motion, creating a distance that serves a fictional experience. This is one of the essential aspects of catharsis. Although a dramatic play may at first appear complex, it is enough to lift the veil to understand that it is in fact a chain of simple actions and consequences that can be real on the scale of the human experience. 

Therefore, to establish what is called "verisimilitude," playwrights like Jean Anouilh must demonstrate significant textual dexterity. They play with genre, using it as a tool for destabilization to challenge values ​​and sow discord.

Jean Anouilh: why should we discover his Antigone?

Jean Anouilh's play was controversial in various media outlets but was largely well-received by audiences and the press at the time of its initial performances. Its symbolic scope, reflecting a tragedy of its era, seemed to allow each reader to find their own moral or morals within it. This is the very essence of writing: to allow each individual to make the text their own. In Antigone, collective implications can also have personal repercussions; the decisions and actions of one or more people can impact one or more others. Despite the 80 years that separate us from the play's publication, it is highly likely that anyone could see a connection to the lives we lead today, to the society in which we live and which we face. And this is true in many countries around the world.

For a truly cathartic experience, Jean Anouilh's play Antigone awaits you! See it from September 25th to December 18th, 2022 at the Laurette Theatre in Paris!