Antigone a Monologue of Missy Maramara

FLAME Creatives

8 Nov 202207:17

Summary

TLDRIn this dramatic script, Antigone defies the king's edict to bury her brother Polynices, asserting her familial duty and moral obligation. She challenges the authority and the law, questioning the king's definition of happiness and life's purpose. Her passionate speech reflects a deep conflict between personal ethics and societal norms, culminating in a powerful rejection of a complacent existence in favor of a life lived with conviction and integrity.

Takeaways

🪦 **Duty to the Dead**: The character feels a strong obligation to bury her brother, highlighting the ancient belief in the necessity of burial for the deceased's peace.
🏺 **Family Loyalty**: Despite societal rules, the protagonist's loyalty to her brother is unwavering, emphasizing the bond of family over legal mandates.
🚫 **Defiance of Authority**: The character's actions demonstrate a bold defiance of the king's edict, showcasing the conflict between personal ethics and state law.
🎭 **The Role of Women**: The script challenges traditional gender roles by presenting a female character who is not only defiant but also articulates a strong moral stance.
🌿 **Eternal Rest**: The concept of the unburied wandering without rest is mentioned, underscoring the cultural importance of proper funeral rites.
🔒 **Unlocking the House of the Dead**: There is a symbolic gesture of unlocking the afterlife for the deceased, suggesting a belief in an afterlife that can be accessed through burial.
👑 **Power and Responsibility**: The king's power is contrasted with his responsibility to uphold both the law and the moral fabric of society.
🗣️ **The Voice of Rebellion**: The character's words represent a voice of rebellion against unjust laws and the demand for personal autonomy.
🤔 **Questioning Happiness**: The script explores the idea of happiness and what it means to live a fulfilling life, questioning the societal norms that dictate happiness.
🌐 **Life's Demands**: The character's desire for a full and meaningful life is juxtaposed with the limitations placed upon her by society and the state.

Q & A

What is the main conflict in the script?
-The main conflict is between the protagonist, likely Antigone, and an authority figure who opposes her decision to bury her brother, Polynices, despite the edict against it.
Why does the protagonist feel obligated to bury her brother?
-The protagonist believes it is her duty to bury her brother because those who are unburied are thought to wander eternally without rest.
What does the protagonist say about her brother's return from the hunt?
-The protagonist mentions that her brother, Polynices, came home weary after a long day of hunting, and she feels she should have tended to his needs.
What does the 'House of the Dead' mentioned in the script signify?
-The 'House of the Dead' likely refers to the afterlife or a burial place, where the protagonist's parents are, and where Polynices should be welcomed.
Why does the authority figure consider the protagonist a rebel and traitor?
-The authority figure sees the protagonist as a rebel and traitor because she defies the edict against burying her brother.
What does the protagonist's response to being called above the law indicate about her character?
-The protagonist's response indicates that she does not believe her royal status exempts her from the moral duty to bury her brother, showing her commitment to her family and principles over power.
What is the protagonist's stance on the law regarding her brother's burial?
-The protagonist does not accept the law as a valid reason to deny her brother a proper burial, suggesting a belief in a higher moral law.
What does the protagonist imply about her willingness to accept the consequences of her actions?
-The protagonist is aware of the punishment for her actions but is willing to accept it, showing her determination and the importance she places on burying her brother.
What is the nature of the 'happiness' the authority figure speaks of?
-The 'happiness' mentioned by the authority figure seems to be a mundane, compliant form of happiness that requires the protagonist to ignore her moral obligations.
How does the protagonist express her disdain for the idea of a life that 'Must Go On' without fulfilling her duty?
-The protagonist vehemently rejects the idea of a life that continues without questioning or challenging authority, showing her desire for a life with meaning and integrity.
What does the protagonist's final statement about 'wanting everything of life' suggest about her values?
-The protagonist's final statement suggests that she values a life of depth, meaning, and authenticity over a superficial existence that ignores moral and familial duties.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 Burial and Loyalty

The first paragraph sets a dramatic tone with a character expressing gratitude to an uncle, despite the hardships faced. The speaker is determined to bury their brother Polynices, driven by the belief that the unburied wander without rest. The speaker acknowledges the traditional duties of care for a returning hunter, suggesting a sense of familial responsibility. The narrative introduces a conflict between personal duty and the law, as the speaker defies an edict to bury their brother, who is labeled a 'rebel' and 'traitor.' The speaker's defiance is rooted in familial bonds and a sense of justice, challenging the authority that would deny them this right. The paragraph concludes with a confrontational exchange, questioning the speaker's understanding of happiness and the sacrifices required to achieve it.

05:02

🔥 Defiance and the Pursuit of Authentic Happiness

The second paragraph delves deeper into the protagonist's internal struggle and defiance against societal norms and expectations. The character is portrayed as rejecting a passive acceptance of happiness and life's limitations. They express a desire to live life on their own terms, seeking a full and unfiltered experience rather than a mundane existence. The speaker challenges the idea of 'happiness' as defined by others, spitting on the notion of a humdrum life that requires compromise and denial of one's true desires. The paragraph ends with a powerful assertion of the speaker's demand for everything life has to offer, unapologetically and without reservation.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Antigone

Antigone is a character from the ancient Greek tragedy 'Antigone' by Sophocles. She is the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta and sister of Polynices and Eteocles. In the script, Antigone is depicted as a strong-willed individual who defies the king's edict to bury her brother, Polynices. Her actions represent the conflict between familial duty and state law, highlighting the theme of loyalty and the moral dilemma of following one's conscience over the law.

💡Edict

An edict is a proclamation or decree issued by a ruler or authority. In the context of the script, the king's edict forbids the burial of Antigone's brother, Polynices, who is considered a traitor. This edict is central to the conflict in the play, as Antigone's decision to defy it leads to her punishment and subsequent tragic fate, emphasizing the clash between personal morality and political authority.

💡Burial

Burial refers to the act of interring a deceased person's body in the ground or another place. In the script, Antigone's determination to bury her brother, despite the king's edict, is a key element of the narrative. It symbolizes her adherence to religious and familial rites, as well as her belief in the sanctity of the dead, which is integral to the play's exploration of duty and honor.

💡Polynices

Polynices is a character in the play 'Antigone' and the brother of Antigone. He is a tragic figure who dies in battle against his own city, Thebes. In the script, Polynices' unburied state serves as a catalyst for Antigone's actions, illustrating the importance of burial rites in ancient Greek culture and the consequences of leaving the dead unattended to their proper resting place.

💡Duty

Duty refers to a moral or legal obligation one is expected to fulfill. In the script, Antigone's sense of duty towards her brother and her family is a driving force behind her actions. She believes it is her duty to bury Polynices, even if it means defying the king's edict, showcasing the internal conflict between personal ethics and societal expectations.

💡Law

Law, in this context, represents the rules and regulations set by the state or governing authority. The script highlights the tension between the king's law, which forbids the burial of Polynices, and the 'unwritten laws' of the gods, which dictate that the dead should be buried. This conflict underscores the theme of the supremacy of divine law over human law and the consequences of disregarding it.

💡Happiness

Happiness, as discussed in the script, is a complex and subjective concept. Antigone rejects the idea of a 'humdrum happiness' that comes from conforming to societal norms and obeying unjust laws. Her pursuit of a deeper, more meaningful happiness leads her to choose her moral convictions over a life of superficial contentment, reflecting the play's exploration of the true nature of happiness and fulfillment.

💡Rebel

A rebel is a person who resists or defies authority. Antigone is referred to as a rebel in the script due to her decision to defy the king's edict. This label underscores her role as a symbol of resistance against oppressive power and her commitment to her principles, even in the face of severe consequences.

💡Eternity

Eternity in the script refers to the endless existence of the soul after death. The belief that the unburied wander eternally without rest is a central theme, as it motivates Antigone to perform the burial rites for her brother. It reflects the ancient Greek belief in the importance of proper funeral rites for the peace of the deceased's soul and the order of the cosmos.

💡House of the Dead

The 'House of the Dead' metaphorically represents the realm of the deceased or the afterlife. In the script, Antigone's desire to unlock this 'house' for her brother signifies her belief in the necessity of burial rites to ensure the deceased's peaceful transition to the afterlife. This concept is crucial to understanding the cultural and religious significance of burial in the play.

💡Conscience

Conscience is an individual's moral compass, guiding their actions based on personal ethics. In the script, Antigone's conscience drives her to defy the king's edict, as she feels a stronger moral obligation to bury her brother. Her struggle between her conscience and the law highlights the play's central theme of the individual's moral responsibility versus societal rules.

Highlights

Thank you, uncle, for your help despite the difficulties.

The protagonist is determined to bury their brother, regardless of the consequences.

The belief that the unburied wander eternally without rest is a central theme.

Duty and obligation to family are emphasized, even in the face of societal norms.

The protagonist's readiness to perform their familial duties is highlighted.

The return of Polynices from the hunt is a pivotal moment.

The protagonist feels a deep sense of obligation to welcome their brother home.

The House of the Dead is a symbolic place of rest for the protagonist's family.

Polynices is portrayed as having earned his rest, despite being labeled a traitor.

The protagonist's defiance of the law and their commitment to their brother is underscored.

The protagonist's status as a daughter of kings does not exempt them from the law.

The protagonist challenges the idea that their social status should influence their actions.

The protagonist's willingness to die for breaking the edict is a testament to their convictions.

The protagonist's rejection of a mundane happiness in favor of a life of meaning and purpose.

The protagonist's demand for a life where they can be truly happy, not just complacent.

The protagonist's disdain for a life that requires compromise and dishonesty.

The protagonist's desire for a life where they can say 'life must go on' without reservation.

The protagonist's challenge to the idea that happiness can be achieved by not asking too much of life.

The protagonist's assertion that they want everything life has to offer, without compromise.