Jean anouilh antigone biography definition us history

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Why was antigone written

Introduction-Act 1, Page Act 1, Pages Character Analysis. Important Quotes. Essay Topics. Discussion Questions. Anouilh had to content the Germans in his portrayal of a ruler. In the end, the playwright was able to find a balance in Antigone , which became his most famous work. Get access to this full Study Guide and much more!

The central theme of choosing between moral conscience and obedience to authority is a direct parallel to the choice faced by the people of France during World War II. In Antigone , Anouilh used a literary device called anachronism , which is a deliberate mixing of historical periods. Anouilh mixed the world of Ancient Greece with that of the s, making the story more contemporary and therefore more immediate for his French audience.

Although none of these connections are explicitly stated in the play, it is likely that many French audience members would have been able to make the connections for themselves. Anouilh had to handle the character of Creon with extreme care. Any portrayal of a ruler, especially a dictator, could be seen as a critique on the Nazis by the censorship.