Theme Journal

GENDER ROLES:

In Medea, the gender roles of men and woman really stand out. Not only are woman considered lower to men in status but they are thought of as a tool for reproduction and pleasure and to take care of the man. When Jason left Medea, he didn't think twice about the fact that he was cheating on her or being unfaithful. In fact, he assumed that it was the right thing to do and that Medea should just deal with the situation because of her place. This is very similar to the way women are supposed to behave in both versions of Antigone. They are to act with reverence and respect to the men because they are underneath them. The men dominate the women but are afraid when the women suddenly take charge and become strong as humans.

BLINDNESS:

In Oedipus, blindness is a prominent theme throughout the story. It reveals the lack of sight that Oedipus uses to solve problems and to see the world but not the physical sight. Oedipus is blind to reality and refuses to face the truth even though at times truth is staring at him in the face. This theme can also be seen throughout the play of Antigone although the blindness is seen in Creon. Creon is smacked in the face with the truth and morally right decisions through Antigone's strength and reluctance to give into what is wrong but he refuses to open his eyes and do what is right because of his inner fear of losing power.

Choose two themes and discuss how each theme is similar or different to a theme in the other plays.

Journal: Word Choice

Journal: Word Choice
Creon uses the word "happiness" very often. This idea of one being satisfied in life reflects Creon's character as well as Antigone's character. Anouilh uses the term to help the reader understand what Creon and Antigone want out of life. Creon believes that happiness can be achieved and therefore pushes the idea on others. Antigone believes that only a select few obtain happiness and only find it when they peacefully lay at rest in the afterlife. This outlines the manner in which both of the characters act and how each of them end up in the story.

Anoulih's usage of ambiguous terms allows the reader to feel uncertain about the characters and their motives. When he uses these terms, it is hard to relate to exactly the character is trying to say and what the message Anouilh is trying to convey. The lack of details and clarity provides some wiggle room for the reader to make their own conclusions to some degree and extent. The terms often leave room for an opinion other than what the writer was originally expressing.

Journal for Character

MEDEA

The motivation behind the character Medea comes from her eagerness to get back at her husband Jason for deserting her for another woman. She decides to do the worst possible thing that could hurt him the most, take away his woman and take away his children. Because of the intensity and cruel intentions behind her motives, she carries them out without a moments hesitation and the plan does work. 

EVIDENCE

"Death take you all--you and your father: The whole house wither" (Medea 37).

"I kill my sons--my own--no one shall snatch them from me... Never again alive shall he see thesons he had by me, nor any child by this new bride of his" (Medea 58).

Antigone 3

Journal: 4 literary techniques and their effects

Repetition: "Stronger than all fever, stronger than any nightmare, stronger that the shadow of the cupboard that used to snarl at me and turn into a dragon on the bedroom wall" (Antigone 14). This repetition of the word "stronger" emphasizes the amount of strength that Antigone needs to perform the task of burying her brother against the law. She must change her personality from weak to strong.

Personification: "Your arms around me aren't lying are they?" (Antigone 17). Antigone speaks about Haemon's arms as "lying" conveys the message that she is making sure that Haemon is not just putting his arms around her because he has to but because he truly is showing Antigone that he loves her. His arms are conveying that he loves her and Antigone is reassuring herself that he truly does before she dies.

Foreshadow: "But if there was a reason why I couldn't go on talking to her--" (Antigone 15). This foreshadows the end of Antigone's life and what will happen to her once she is caught. She will never be able to speak to her dog again.

Similie:  "A little young for what, my kitten?" (Antigone 14). This comparison of Antigone to a kitten is used to help the reader to understand the kind of motherly affection that the nurse has for Antigone. She calls her a kitten to show affection and to make her feel comfortable during her time of sorrow.

Antigone 2 Anouilh's Version

Journal:

The 1940s in Europe were mostly centered around WWII. This could have greatly influenced Anouilh in writing Antigone because he was also French and were facing a great amount of pain and suffering. He probably went through a lot of hard times that influenced the way that he wrote the play and how he may have depicted the different circumstances in Antigone. He might have used the circumstances in the war to interpret his version of Antigone. 

Antigone 1

Knowledge Level 

How is Antigone related to Haemon?

Why is Antigone condemned to death?
Comprehension Level 

What was Antigone's reason for turning herself in?

Why did Antigone insult her uncle, Creon?
Application Level 

How do human beings defend other human beings?

How does society influence one's decision?
Analysis 

What is the importance of symbols?

How does foreshadow play a role in Antigone?

Synthesis 

How does the chorus play an important role in Greek tragedies?

Why does the creator chose to use figurative language?

Evaluation 

Why does doing what is right bring about pain and suffering?

Was Antigone in the right or was she only rebelling?

Medea Journal 3

Journal 3:

The elements of tragedy in Medea are very similar. In the plays Oedipus and Medea, both tragic heroes bring about their own downfall, both of their ends are determined by fate and pity and fear are invoked in the audience which helps the audience to relate to the characters and the plot. Media does not act out of selflessness nor does she try to have vengeance for others but instead all of her motives are centered around herself. Oedipus's actions and attempts are for the greater good of the community and the city, not as much for himself. They both are very emotional and have a great amount of pain and suffering in their lives that affects everyone around them. They both are susceptible  to error and use their free will which ultimately determines their fate. Overall, Medea and Oedipus are both very similar tragic characters.

3 TECHNIQUES!

• Symbol - money: The symbol of money in Antigone is used for Creon to use as an excuse for what is really the reason he has become so power hungry. He speaks about the negative effects of money on the society in order to change the direction of the irresponsibility from him to the people. In this way, Creon gets away with any sense of injustice or immorality because he just "blames it on the money".
• Foreshadow - "He is my brother and -- deny as you will --" (61): This is foreshadowing the possibility that Ismene will deny taking any part in burying her brother when Antigone is caught. This shows the different character types of the two women as well as how they both will act under deathly penalties.
• Personification - "Rough talk flew thick and fast..." (72): The effect of this statement is to emphasize how quickly rumors and information spread throughout the guards and how important the words were.

Medea Journal 3

The gods in the play Medea both act as a scapegoat and a reference for Medea and Jason. Jason and Medea respect and honor the gods in Medea by Sophocles but use the gods as a source to help them prove their points of view and how to obtain what they want.

 

JASON

q      "Do you suppose the gods of old no longer rule?" (Medea 48). Jason refers to the gods when he wants to prove a point or to really emphasize something to Medea. He says this to point out to Medea that nothing has changed and that she should except the fact that

q      “Well, as far as I am concerned, it was Aprodite and no one else in heaven or earth who saved me on my voyage” (Medea 50). Jason does not believe that he was helped through his voyage but only refers to the gods out of fear and respect.

q      “In that case, heaven be my witness…” (Medea 52). Jason says this because the gods hold such an important role in the Greek traditions and they are greatly feared and respected.

 

MEDEA

q      “O Zeus, what made you give us clear signs for telling mere glitter from true gold, but when we need to know the base metal of a man no stamp upon his flesh for telling counterfeit?” (Medea 49). Medea looks to the gods to confirm what they desire rather than actually asking for what they wish.

q      “O Zeus, remember the author of this crime” (Medea 43). She says this because they will act as the source of her revenge and a witness to the situation.

• “O might Themis, and Artemis, Queen…” (Medea 38). She calls upon the gods whenever she is in distress or needs help. They are her “friends”.
  

OUTLINE 2

Lion King Vs. Westside Story II

I.               Intro

A.    It’s hard to do what is right.

B.    In the movies Lion King and Westside Story, through the use of foreshadow and plot conflicts the creators show that doing what is right requires sacrifice. This is important because the society does not support this concept and therefore the desire to do what is right is rapidly decreasing.

II.             Body

A.    Simba and Anton

1.     Discussing the significance of the different ways the creator uses Simba and Anton to foreshadow what is to come. What he does and says to reveal how things will turn out in the end

2.     Analyze the meaning behind his action and compare them to Anton.

B.    Scar and Simba; Hispanic gang and American gang

1.     Discuss the different plot conflicts of the fighting within groups and the struggle to survive.

2.     Analyze each gang

3.     Analyze the comparison to each gang

III.           Conclusion

A.    Restate Thesis

B.    Worldview: Without motivation to do what is right from the world around one cannot expect to sacrifice for good.

OUTLINE 1

Lion King Vs. Westside Story

I.               Intro

A.    It’s hard to do what is right.

B.    In the movies Lion King and Westside Story, through the use of foreshadow and plot conflicts the creators show that doing what is right requires sacrifice. This is important because the society does not support this concept and therefore the desire to do what is right is rapidly decreasing.

II.             Body

A.    Foreshadow

1.     Discussing the significance of the different ways the creator uses the characters to reveal what is to come. Both movies have characters that say and do different things revealing things to come in the movie.

2.     Analyze two different characters with examples of how each of them foreshadows future events.

3.     Simba

4.     Anton

B.    Plot Conflicts

1.     Discuss the different plot conflicts of the fighting within groups and the struggle to survive.

2.     Analyze the conflicts between the two gangs

3.     Analyze the conflicts between Simba and Scar

III.           Conclusion

A.    Restate Thesis

B.    Worldview: Without motivation to do what is right from the world around one cannot expect to sacrifice for good.