Adaptation Of The Antigone Of Sophocles English Literature Essay

Adaptation Of The Antigone Of Sophocles English Literature EssayThis typography is for a unveiling closely how Brechts adaptation of Antigone could be pave panache for proto-Marxists behaviour and belief in the end of the domain warfare II. The presentation would shed light on how Sophocles master copy persist about presage intervention and early laws in ancient times could obtain direct to passivity in terms of oppression, and how Brecht tried to raise the suppression in his heart and soul of adapting Antigone.Bertolt Brecht was a man of great achievements in the field of Arts. He has helped shaped the world of theatre acting as it is kn sustain at present with his varying styles and approaches1. Throughout his c areer, he has helped transform lives and the artistic industry.When it comes down to it, it could be verbalise that Brecht is among those who are responsible for col the eyes of the hoi polloi for their advocator to revolt and defend their stands against th eir betters. Since the Elizabethan era follows the whims of monarchs and the decrees of royalty and their superiors, those who are paltry are left(a) without a voice to be heard. They go out turn over high taxes if it was asked of them, they will march on to war if their takelord commands them to do so. pastime this logic, it is no wonder that Bertolt Brecht labels Ancient Greeks and Englishmen of that age as barbarians2. They could be classified as barbarians in such a way that they are cover the emotions expressed by the heroes of Sophocles and Shakespeare. Though pretty the dialogue might be, at that place lies a hidden truth in each accusation that the earshot are barbarians in the sense that they are lapping the tragedies and misfortune of otherwise people and using them as their own gauge of how beautiful their lives are. And if it so happens that the barbarians were commensurate to catch a glimpse of how horrid reality was to those who are less fortunate than thei r high statures, then they would continue to ignore it and hap in their daily lives without trying to make a difference. peradventure in order to shed light and shock these barbarians as Brecht refers to the upper class, he adapted a popular antic by Sophocles entitled Antigone. Sophocoles original play was about earthly laws and the king of the betoken and heavens wrath. However, Brechts aptly called The Antigone of Sophocles showed a political play which illustrated how a divided acres could be devastated after a pointless war3. Brechts adaptation of Antigone reflects how familial cataclysm could be turned into a political pawn in a timely manner wherein the Germans are ripe for understanding and mixtures.Yet forrader the speaker brings the listeners deeper into the mind of this unusual mind, it would be most preferable to inject Brechts background and who he was. This will help the audition understand the consideration of Brechts whole works, which will thus enable th em to relate more on how his works could be used to go in accordance with Sophoclean cataclysm.The year 1898 brought to emotional state Bertolt Brecht to a modest family, wherein he was exiled in 1933 when Nazis occupied Germany. He left Germany and disembarked to a journey heading to Austria, and found himself in the Switzerland and the soils of France. He readiness premature roots in Denmark, and had to leave after six geezerhood when the war was its earnest. Brecht at that time eluded it with his loved ones by going to Sweden, and determination refuge in Finland, and by travelling along the length of the Soviet Union. Finally, he found a boat which took him all the way to the land of the free, which is in Los Angeles, California, in the unify States in the year 19414.In the synthetic rubber of Los Angels, California, Brecht wrote his masterpieces entitled Mother Courage, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Good Person of Setzuan, and the illustrious The Life of Galileo. The l ast piece was previewed in Hollywood which stared a outsize name in theatre of that era Charles Laughton, who assisted Brecht in composing the English text. The Life of Galileo was proven to be so beautiful that it was showed in Broadway for a season5.During this time, Brecht was already planning to return to Europe, but it was not fated to be. The House Committee on Un-American Activities as a branch of the US Congress subpoenaed artists, directors, and writers who were allegedly known as having left-of-center sympathies. There were ten writers and directors who were sent to jail because they were uncooperative and insisted on their rights to immunity of Religion and Political Belief. As a result, they were dubbed as the Unfriendly Ten, and were sentenced to contempt.Brecht was the eleventh person to be subpoenaed by the Committee. On October 30th, Committee Chairman J. Parnell doubting Thomas tried Brecht and questioned him about the play Die Massnahme which was set in the Ni pponese Noh and was published in a left-wing publication in the United States. Brecht denied allegiance to any left-wing movements, and was hereby released by the Committee to prosecute his writing.Antigone was written from March 30 to December 12, 1947. Brecht was in Zrich, Switzerland with his family when the play was finished. It was first shown in Chur Stadttheater in February 19486.From its opening night, theatergoers behave mentioned how Brechts The Antigone of Sophocles is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps this could be attributed to the unavailable English translation, which was only made available during 1984. From 1948 to the dismiss of the English translation, the consultation had to make do with Brechts adaptation of the original Sophoclean calamity7.The original play portrays Brechts loose translation of Friedrich Hlderlins prior exposition from Sophocles original drama. A member of the audience notes how an argument between Creon and Antigone becomes political when An tigone berates Creon, yet Creon retorts in anger and demands Antigones silence8. Though it was clear that Creon was in the wrong, society still dictates that a woman cannot hold such bullocky opinions against her betters. Another controversial position about the play is how despite the fact that less than five months prior the plays opening night, Brecht was questioned by the Committee about his loyalty to the country, and yet he wrote such a controversial view wherein Creon was urging the audience to condemn Antigone for her lack of patrionism.Willet (1959) mentions how despite the hired hand being written by Hlderlin, Brecht has changed the lines to fit his message. His style was conservatively interwoven with Hlderlins that is become impossible to distinguish which lines where written by which writer. Therefore Sophocles tragedy was precondition an entirely different meaning from what it was ab initio intended for. Brecht was also famed for using the Chorus to lead the aud ience in their responses.In line with Brechts changes to the deal, it became apparent that Antigone became concerned with the rights and needs of an individual, against the power and needs of the State, which is the situation during its showing in Switzerland9. Though Sophocles initial script indicated how individuals should submit blindly to Fate and to decision of gods at all costs, Brechts interlingual rendition of Antigone displayed how it could be possible that mans fate is man himself10.Perhaps it could be said that Brecht introduced post-Marxist ideals in the play, and how the original beautiful tragedy was translated into a political ploy. Brecht showed the means of a post-war, defeated Eastern Germany, and how he changed Sophocles intention about divine laws upon the reality of state terror after the war.In Brechts The Antigone of Sophocles, it was portrayed how the Berlin of 1945 was in utter disarray. Through the story of Antigone, Breech was able to show how d malign sisters who might have a brother who left his responsibilities and deserted the German force by hanging himself would fare. There are two choices would they essay being caught by the authorities, or should they leave him? Brecht showed how Creon was a very inhuman tyrant, and how the system is smothering the people11.Brecht showed consistency in his works when he repeated how passive acceptance could be ruined people. He mentioned this in Kleines Orpnon as well as in Antigone12.The political message of Antigone is stark and simple. When it was rewritten by Brecht, Europe was still adjusting after the turmoil caused by World War II, and the author had personally witnessed the changes brought about by the closing and stultification of leaders to admit theyre wrong. This goes hand in hand with the message in Brechts Antigone, wherein violence feeds upon itself, and entices those surrounding the violence to a vicious cycle of wars and conflicts that will continue after the people i nvolved are dead, and are low-toned for all their supports13.At the start of the play, Creon launched Thebes in a very bellicose and deadly war against Argos. This was similar to Berlins air-raids during the World War II. Creon consistently brings destruction and violence, and takes down his whole country into destruction, or else of surrendering in order to alleviate some of their home. The audiences of the play have said that this is similar to Hitlers black motives against Antigones white actions to try to give her brother a decent burial. Hitler tried to pull back down all the people, and Brecht was trying to tell the German citizens to raise against Hitler as Antigone argued with Creon to be able to bring peace and harmony within the country14.There were others who mentioned that Antigone was the symbol of hope and all that is good. Creon was the tyrant whom Antigone was resisting to follow his evil deeds. She was the angelic voice of reason and conscience, and that goo dness comes the practical lesson of achieving practical firmness against adversity15.With the Chorus which represents the quite a little in accordance to Creons messages and military victory, they are leading the audience into thinking that war is the proper answer to their problems instead of peace. However, in the end of Brechts written script, the Chorus turns against Creon, and attacks him for launching the unnecessary war16. This could be said to be an eye-opener for the audience, as they felt the power of the masses and how they could share their opinions for the betterment of the group.Yet according to history, the death of Stalin brought about the diversity of East Berlins workers. This uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks, and Brecht was said to have supported the repression17. There were speculations about how Brecht was rewarded for his efforts by having his pieces premiered and performed, and how the Stalin Peace Prize which he was given during 1955 was another emblem of how he supported Marxists behaviors. Nevertheless, after he died in 1956, the world all mourned for the great writer.This presentation shows how Bertolt Brecht was able to change the perspective of people in the turbulent times of World War II. In comparison with Sophocles original piece, Antigone and Creon were given the opportunity to discuss their defensible claims before the tirades of the war went on. In the original story, Polynices was not allowed to be hide for he was deemed as a traitor. Antigone then goes against the decree and buries Polynices, which angers Creon. Thus continues Sophocles tragedy wherein Antigone argues that she was following the divine commands of gods to bury the dead, and Creon was insisting that Antigone went against the States wishes18.Sophocles thesis is simple Antigone shouldnt have buried Polynices because this is against the States orders. Yet with Brechts version, Antigone was the one in the righteous position because she was opening up th e eyes of the State and the people that to deprieve the dead of burial is unjust and unfavoured by gods.In the end the question to be answered is how much the people is willing to raise up against the country. The Antigone of Sophocles in Brechts adaptation opens the possibility of a political play which reflects the horrors inflicted by the war and the concerns of modernity. Is the power of the State so great that even dead men cannot receive justice? Brecht was able to show the different side of the war war wherein the families of deserters were suffering for not being able to pay their loved ones proper respect, and how to swallow their moral philosophy for the sake of not enraging the gods.The speaker strongly believes that in Brechts adaptation of Antigone was given the proper justice it deserves by todays mediums and forms of communication. The Sophoclean tragedy was able to step up and be in accordance to Brechtian Epic Theatre which relieves the past and makes the audience feel the impact of the war. Clearly, it is a matter of addressing which position should the audience play in terms of determining their freedom, and the possibility of controlling a mans own fate, instead of letting the heavens be the judge of the future.