IB English Lit A HL - Ms Basel

Q2. What themes does each version choose to highlight more and what effect does it have?

The British version of Antigone highlights out the theme of feminism (shown through the characters Antigone and Ismene), how it was over-powered by men, more specifically, by the character Creon. 

When Antigone first enters the scene, we can see clearly that she was in a rush and was very nervous. However, as soon as her plan of going against the rule was brought across, we immediately see that she changes from being a fear-dominated character to a brave one. 

The character of Ismene was then brought into the scene. Unlike Antigone, Ismene stands for how feminism was dominated by males. Through her speech, we understand that she has absolutely no intention of helping in her brother's burial (although it was the duty of the women to do so at that time). The conversation between Antigone and Ismene was successful in portraying how powerless women was.

Also, we see several portraits of Creon being put up in different angles and different corners of a room. This immediately create a sense of ultimate power and dominance to this character. While Antigone and Ismene were having their conversation on the burial of Polynices, portraits of Creon were in the background staring down on both of them, making Antigone's plan seems so weak, which again highlights out power and dominance of men at that time.

The Greek version of Antigone highlights out the theme of tragedy using scenes of death, war, ruined city. To have the secret conversation between the sisters carried out in the middle of all that, the audience can sense the rush and the danger of Antigone's burial plan. This version is less symbolic then the British one as it doesn't have the portraits of Creon watching over the sisters.

Q3. Which version did you like the most and for what specific reasons?

I personally like the Greek version more because to me, the character of Antigone in this version is much stronger than the British Antigone. Irine Papas' facial expressions and speech was much more slow, firm and stable while Juliet Stephenson's expressions was shifting very quickly. This makes the audience feel like she somehow still isn't strong enough. Also, the use of props and costume in the Greek version was more "Greek-like" so it seems more dramatic and real.