Film Adaptation of Antigone by Sophocles

Essay by lametrainHigh School, 11th gradeA, June 2005

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The film adaptation of Sophocles' Antigone portrays the text substantially well in several ways. The filmmaker's interpretation encourages the audience to be discerning as their perception of the Greek tragedy is enhanced. The play becomes profound and reverberant because of the many interesting elements of production. These include musical score, set design, and the strategic costuming - all of which advocates an improved comprehension of Antigone.

The musical score proficiently provides the viewers with a sense of what is happening in the scene which could not be communicated through text. Dramatic music is played for Creon's entrance; this immediately communicates to us that he is a man of great importance and power. When Antigone enters after being arrested, the music is dynamic and tense. This conveys the seriousness and desperate atmosphere of the scene. The score is also a representation of the varying moods of the characters. An example of this is when Antigone is anxiously trying to appeal her sentence.

The music makes the audience drawn is drawn to feel sympathy and pity her when she is preaching her views on death. For instance, a solemn melody is played when Haemon's dead corpse is brought to King Creon. Creon grieves by himself as he is overcome with devastation caused by his foolish actions; his emotions are intensified by the sorrowful and sombre background music. The music is able to complement the play, while accentuating the more significant events.

The design of the set is the most essential element of the production because it serves as the backdrop for the entire play. When the film starts, there is a wide shot of the Theban palace. There are two very large portraits of Creon hanging from the ceiling; this instantly establishes that Creon is the ruler of the state.