Publisher's Synopsis
Translation from French to English 20-12-2018Antigone, tragedy of Jean Anouilh (1944)Jean Anouilh wrote this piece in 1942. It was premiered on February 4, 1944 at the Théâtre de l'Atelier in Paris, directed by André Barsacq. It was published in 1946, at the editions of the Round table and appears in the New black coins published the same year.From the Antigone of Sophocles (441 BC) to that of Jean AnouilhAntigone belongs to the legends attached to the city of Thebes. She is one of the children born of the incestuous union of the king of Thebes Oedipus and his own mother, Jocasta. Antigone is the sister of Ismene, Eteocle and Polynice. She demonstrates unparalleled dedication and greatness of soul in mythology.When his father is driven out of Thebes by his brothers and when, with his eyes broken, he has to beg for food on the roads, Antigone serves him as a guide. She watches over him until the end of his life and assists him in his last moments.Then Antigone returns to Thebes. She knows a new and cruel test. His brothers Etéocle and Polynice are fighting for power. The latter calls on a foreign army to besiege the city and fight his brother Etéocle. After the death of the two brothers, Creon, their uncle takes power. He ordered a solemn funeral for Eteocles and forbade the burial of Polynice, who, in his view, had been guilty of bearing arms against his country with the help of foreigners. Thus the soul of Polynice will never rest. However, Antigone, who considers the duty of burying the dead to be sacred, goes one night to her brother's body and pours a few handfuls of earth upon him according to the rite. Creon learns from a guard that Antigone has covered Polynice's body with dust. Antigonus is brought before him and he is sentenced to death. She is buried alive in the tomb of Labdacides. Rather than starving, she prefers to hang herself.Hemon, son of Creon and fiancé of Antigone commits suicide in despair. Eurydice, Creon's wife can not bear the death of this son she adored and also puts an end to his life.Translation from French to English 20-12-2018