Intro to World Lit paper

Motivation plays a role behind every decision a person makes, whether they are driven by their own greed, self-indulgence, or their individual set of morals something inspires them to make a choice. There are those who have very strong beliefs and certainty behind their decisions while others lack much confidence at all; they let others make their own decisions and do not really care either way. This difference in human beings can be seen between Medea in Euripides’ Medea and Antigone in Anouilh’s Antigone. The revelation of each character’s individual process of decision making, their relationships, along with their actions, illustrates their levels of conviction, ultimately defining the purpose of each character’s life and why they decide to make the choices that they do.

1st Paragraph:
Both Medea and Antigone have to make some very big decisions in these two works, the only difference being how they come to those decisions. Evoking pity from the audience, Medea naturally feels pain and sadness after Jason marries another woman and she asks herself, “What good is left for me in living?” (1.1.145). Depressed, Medea cannot find any motivation for living anymore… until she makes a choice. She tells the Chorus of women, “a test awaits the newlyweds, no little ordeal for the happy pair” (1.1.366-367). This quote foreshadows Medea’s actions in trying to get back at Jason for marrying another woman and Creon for exiling her along with her sons. This reveals that revenge exists as Medea’s only motivation now for living.

2nd Paragraph:
Antigone’s motivation for her actions remains quite the opposite of Medea’s. Antigone, known as being young and reserved; like a “thin little creature” (Antigone 3) who prefers to be alone, has a secret strength that no one sees until she goes against the law set by her uncle, King Creon. Antigone sees going against the law as something destined to happen. While talking with Ismene about the whole idea she compares their actions to Creon’s, “He will do what he has to do, and we will do what we have to do. He is bound to put us to death. We are bound to go out and bury our brother. That’s the way it is” (Antigone 11). She views burying her brother as a duty, something that she has to do not matter what the consequences. Even though Ismene tries to make her understand that the consequence will be death, Antigone feels fully aware of that fact and still wants to carry out the deed. She stands by her own belief of what is right and wrong, not by what the law or anyone else says. Antigone and Medea contrast in that way because purely revenge motivates Medea whereas Antigone’s own set of morals motivates and drives her. Both of these reasons bring about consequences that both women are willing to face, showing their inner strength and courage of conviction.

Anouilh Journal 4

1. One theme in Anouilh's Antigone is the theme of making the play modern. This is completely different from the other plays. Because it is made to be more modern, there are cigarettes, tobacco, talking about having blood taken, etc. These things are never mentioned in the other plays because they are set during the time of ancient Greece so these things were not even heard of them.

2. There is another theme of death, which happens to be in all of the novels. This theme is simply apart of tragedy. If there's tragedy, there's death. It's just how it is. Without death, I believe there would be no tragedy. And it's not even all of the main characters who have to die, it's just someone in general. Tragedy is very sad in that way/how it is accompanied by death. In Anouilh's Antigone death is a very important idea that is repeatedly discussed and questioned about whether life is worth living or if dying is easier and more glorious.

Anouilh Journal 3-Word Choice

1. During Creon and Antigone's argument Anouilh repeats the idea of death. Death has been a theme throughout the book, and it is especially discussed for a while by the two of them. Antigone does not fear death while Creon may not fear it either, he does fear her death in that he doesn't want her to die. It feels as though whether she lives or dies is the only thing she has control over and that's why she's "ok" with dying. This is shown when Creon is asking her why she has done this crime and is willing to die for it. She says she did it, "For nobody. For myself" (Anouilh 33). Anouilh shows Antigone's sincerity and determination as well as Creon's frightened soul by bringing up death again and again.

2. The use of ambiguous terms by Anouilh creates this sense of detachment from the different characters that use such unclear words at times. For example, when Creon says the phrase, "In which beasts say no to hunger or to propagation?" (Anouilh 37). This phrase makes the reader feel uncomfortable because they cannot fulling understand what he is trying to say from not knowing that word. This can distract the reader or it can make the reader pay better attention so that they can try to figure out its meaning through context.

Character Analysis for skit Journal

First, second and third woman:
I don't really think that any of them have some deep motivation other than not wanting the boys to die, but ultimately, they are too timid to even go in there to stop Medea; " Shall we break in, snatch them from death?" (Medea 72). Their motivation for staying out of it is their fear for what Medea would do to them if they tried to stop her. Medea is very powerful so all these women can do is stand outside the room and listen to the boys scream as their mother murderers them... sad.

Chorus:
The Chorus' motivation comes from telling what's right and wrong. In this particular scene they are very angry with what Medea has done to her children calling her a "Woman of stone" with a "heart of iron" (Medea 72). They can not believe that she could do such a thing as kill her own blood. They know that this is wrong and speak the truth in saying so.

Leader:
The Leader's motivation comes from trying to help the characters by speaking the truth and informing them of what is going on. For example, in this scene, he is trying to make Jason understand that his sons are dead, but he has to tell him a few times in order for him to fully comprehend the fact; "You cannot think of them as being alive" (Medea 73). Jason is finally able to grasp the concept and then he talks to Medea. The Leader does his job.

Anouilh Journal 2

4 Techniques and their effects:

1. Figure of Speech
"What is it that's eating your heart out?" (Anouilh 14). This figure of speech is said by the Nurse to Antigone trying to figure out what is wrong with her. She asks her in a very loving tone after calling her pet names such as "My sparrow" showing that the Nurse truly cares about Antigone and what might be bothering her. This helps the reader see the close and intimate relationship between the two women.
2. Simile
Antigone is talking about Ismene with Haemon. "She's like a fruit" (Anouilh 17). Using this simile to describe her sister along with other metaphors shows her jealousy and envy that she has for her sister. This shows Antigone's low self-esteem making Haemon have to convince her of his love and that she is the only one for him.
3. Metaphor
"His mob will come running, howling as it runs" (Anouilh 12). This metaphor creates an aggressive tone while Ismene is trying to convince Antigone that Creon is way more powerful than she and that ultimately, going against him and the law is a very bad idea. This metaphor depicting Creon's followers makes them sound very dangerous and scary.
4. Imagery
"There's shadows, and the fog is beginning to roll in" (Anouilh 21). The Guard describes the "two-o'clock watch" as hard because he had to try to stay awake. As he talks about his struggles, he helps to set the scene by using this image of the fog and there being shadows. It sets an eerie, sort of dark and mysterious tone making the reader see why it must have been hard for him to stay awake and focused.

Anouilh Journal 1

Europe during the 1940s:
-WWII going on
-Coming of the Atomic Bomb
-and world powers coming together

These huge events might have influenced Anouilh's version of Antigone quite a bit. Because he wrote this play while the Nazis occupied France, where he lived, his trials and events that happened while the Nazis were there might have had an affect on his writing. His views and opinions of the whole situation during that time most likely influenced his writing and could have made him more biased towards certain characters that he wrote. His own morals and belief of right and wrong probably had the most influence on anything he wrote during that time period.

Antigone Journal 3-Characters

Antigone~
Quotes:
-"I will suffer nothing as great as death without glory" (Sophocles 64).
-"But if I had allowed my own mother's son to rot, an unburied corpse-that would have been an agony!" (Sophocles 82).
Description:
beautiful, strong, dirt-blond hair that's long and flowy, deep, blue eyes, tall and about 17 or 18 years old.
Personality:
proud, loyal to her family, determined, craving glory even if through death, reverent to the gods and her parents.
Actress: possibly Kate Winslet
Why?:
Because Winslet is very strong and independent as well as determined, but sweet and relatable just like Antigone. She has it set in her mind what she wants to do and she does it. She knows right from wrong and is willing to put her life in danger to do the right thing.

Ismene~
Quotes:
-"we must be sensible" (Sophocles 62).
-"I'd do them no dishonor... but defy the city? I have no strength for that" (Sophocles 63).
-"I'm not ashamed to sail through trouble with you, make your troubles mine" (Sophocles 87).
Description:
Skinny, long dirty-blond hair with chocolate brown eyes; tall but slender, not as curvy as sister.
Personality:
sweet, innocent, peaceful, more levelheaded, loyal, cautious.
Actress: Scarlett Johannson
Why?:
Because Johannson seems sweet and innocent like Ismene and she has that pure look to her like I believe Ismene would. While she's also ready to try to do what's right.

Creon~
Quotes:
-"Absolutely: there are other fields for him to plow"(Sophocles 89).
-"That's what a man prays for: to produce good sons" (Sophocles 93).
Description:
strong, firm, older (between 58 and 62 years old), tall, dark hair and eyes, bearded, slightly overweight
Personality:
arrogant, mistreats women, only wants his glory and power to be recognized, selfish
Actor: Eric Bana
Why?:
Because he is slightly older and he can play evil/arrogant and pompous which Creon is because he even threatens to have something bad happen to his son when his son is trying to save his finance.

Haemon~
Quotes:
-"No marriage could ever mean more to me than you" (Sophocles 93).
-"It's no city at all, owned by one man alone" (Sophocles 97).
Description:
young, strong/lean, dark curly hair and warm green eyes, tall and fit; about 20 years old
Personality:
loyal but willing to stand up for what's right even if that means fighting/disagreeing with his father, smart and wise, in love, kind and honest
Actor: Orlando Bloom
Why?:
Because he is strong physically and morally, he has the look of a Greek and he can show wisdom as well as kindness and well-deserved anger like Haemon does.

Leader~
Quotes:
-"A temper young as his... hurt him once, he may do something violent" (Sophocles 100).
-"Still the same rough winds, the wild passion raging through the girl" (Sophocles 106).
Description:
older, dark and graying hair, medium height, soft and wise blue eyes, around late 50s, early 60s.
Personality:
loyal to authority/whoever is king, obedient while inquisitive and warning-like, observant, realistic
Actor: an older, scrawny man
Why?:
Because the Leader doesn't seem to have a lot of backbone, but he is very smart and understanding of other people's emotions, helping to foreshadow things throughout the play.

Sentry~
Quotes:
-"But no casting lots this time; this is my luck, my prize, no one else's" (Sophocles 79).
-"But all that, I'm afraid, means less to me than my own skin. That's the way I'm made" (Sophocles 81).
Description:
big, strong/buff, built like a soldier/guard, tall, dirty-bold hair with blue eyes around his mid 20s.
Personality:
only looking out for himself/selfish, hungry for recognition
Actor: Brad Pitt
Why?:
Because he is buff and strong looking like he could be the perfect soldier like Sentry seems to be.

Antigone Journal 2

Knowledge Level:
-What does Creon decide to do with Antigone?
-How is Antigone related to Haemon?
Comprehension Level:
-What crime has Polynices committed?
-What does Creon want to happen to Polynices' body instead of it being buried?
Application Level:
-Would Antigone suffer the same fate if she were tried now/today?
-Would Ismene have been accused with her?
Analysis:
-Why doesn't Antigone deny any of the accusations to save her own skin?
-Why is Ismene so unwavering and insistent on wanting to die with her sister?
Synthesis:
-How do the events so far evoke pity and who for?
-Why would Sophocles write this/what is the message?
Evaluation:
-Does Haemon try his hardest to try to save his finance?
-Is Creon right in accusing Ismene along with Antigone?

Comparison Journal (Medea vs. Oedipus)

Journal: Compare the elements of tragedy in Medea and Oedipus. Look specifically at the use of catharsis. Pay attention to how you organize your comparison. Be sure you start with a thesis/topic sentence.

Medea and Oedipus both have elements of tradegy that are interpretted/felt differently by each person who reads or sees this play. The reader/audience feels remorse and pity for Oedipus becuase he does not realize that he killed his father and married his mother. That pity is purged or at least very faint at the beginning becuase the audience knows the story and probably feels this emotion of why would he do that. They probably feel some digust as Jocasta is introduced into the story because she was the one, along with her husband, who decided to kill baby Oedipus, thus pity for Oedipus is created, but then purged at the same time while thinking of the fact that he had kids with his mom. There are so many twisted elements to Sophocles' Oedipus, but it is most certainly a tragedy in that the reader/audience feels pity for the different characters at different times. Then in Medea, once again, the audience/reader knows the story so therefore they have this preexitsting expectation and feeling of pity and fear. They pity Medea who they know loses everything in the end and they feel fear for the other characters because they know how powerful Medea is. Although pity might be felt in the beginning for Medea, the feelings shift to the different characters. First the reader/audience pities the boys, knowing that they will die and then there is even some pity for the Princess Jason makes his second wife in how brutally she died along with her father. Then the pity gets brought back to the boys once they are dead and surprisingly also to Jason a little because of how he loses everything. These two plays both have characters that are pitied and pity that might move from character to character keeping the reader/audience intrigued and motivated to see the story progress.

Medea Journal 2

Both Medea and Jason interact with the gods in different ways. Jason has reverence for them and how they have helped him, whereas Medea sees them as her equals because of her ancestry. This contrast between the two characters and their relationship with the gods shows their true personalities and whether they have humility, or are just plain prideful.

Jason has obvious respect for the gods. He is thankful and slightly in awe as he pays credit to the god he believed helped him through his tough time. "Well, as far as I am concerned, it was Aphrodite and no one else in heaven or earth who saved me on my journey" (Medea 50). This quote shows his appreciation to the gods, particularly to Aphrodite, for their guidance and protection on his "journey". Then Jason also shows this overwhelming need for the gods as he finds out that his sons are dead. "Zeus, do you hear how I am at bay" (Medea 77). This cry to the god, Zeus shows his need and desire for the gods to help him. Ultimately, Jason not only respects the gods, but he has enough humility to ask the gods for help and rely on them.

Then there is Medea who because of her family line believes that she is just as powerful and righteous as a god. This is partly true because of her powers, but since she is half human she is not entirely in the same position as the gods. Like Jason, Medea still asks for the gods' help, but in this manner like she deserves their help. "O you gods-not for me-ever" (Medea). She pleads for salvation from her awful fate, while having this tone of "I don't deserve this". Then she talks about the gods like they are on her side as she fights with Jason and that ultimately they are going to help her. "Zeus the Father knows exactly what you got from me and how you then behaved" (Medea 75). She talks as though Jason is the only one who has done anything wrong and that he will be punished, not her. These quotes show her prideful personality.