ANTIGONE by Sophocles – Antigone.
TOMORROWS WISH by Wade Bradford –
Juniper
I choose to do a monologue from Antigone by Sophocles because of my passion for Greek theatre. Two of my all time favourite playwrights are Sophocles and Euripides. My passion for their work stems from my amazement and awe that something written over 2,500 years ago has stood the test of time and is still such an integral influence in today's modern theatre. Also, I wanted to show the audition panel that I am very compassionate about classical theatre. I choose to do Juniper's monologue from Tomorrow's wish by Wade Bradford because I was looking for a character that contrasted Antigone in character, setting, and context. Another reason why I choose Tomorrows wish is because I have read and thoroughly enjoyed some of Bradford's other work, and as a writer I admire his work.
The two characters I have been working on have some small similarities such as age and gender; however I believe that in characteristics they differ greatly. Juniper is a very naive innocent young girl who has been sheltered from the world for most of her childhood, whereas Antigone is a teenage girl who is much more exposed to the world and is experienced in how it functions. Antigone has had to witness a lot of evil and pain and death in her life, and has been forced to deal with much more serious issues than most girls her age would ever have to. I believe that because of this Juniper is a very simple and narrow minded young girl, contrasting Antigone's feisty and rebellious character.
Another way in which the monologues differ is in setting. Sophocles wrote Antigone as the first of the Theban plays in 442BC, and then went on to write the prequel King Oedipus in 429BC and Oedipus at Colonus shortly before his death in 406BC. All three plays are mostly set in the city of Thebes in Ancient Greece, and within the plays there are many references to various other places such as Athens and Colonus. Tomorrow's wish is set in 21st century America in a small suburban area. The difference in era changes the context of both texts drastically. The issues and themes looked at in Tomorrow's wish would be unimportant and highly irrelevant in an Ancient Greek setting. And the drama and action that takes place in the three Theban plays would seem out of places and abnormal happening in modern day America. This also leads onto the linguistics of the two texts. Tomorrows wish is a play written in modern day English, whereas the language in Antigone is very archaic and poetic. The difference in the style of writing in the two speeches also helped me make my decision.
Another way in which the two monologues contrast is in content. Simply put, the two girls are talking about completely different things. Antigone has just admitted to disobeying an order from her uncle who also happens to be the king of Thebes and has a lot of power and status. In the monologue itself Antigone is justifying her actions not only to King Creon, but also to herself. Juniper however, talks about the first and only time she has ever kissed a boy. Through the monologue her boredom with her hometown and homeschooled life seeps out, and her learning disabilities can be seen in her repetition of specific parts of the text.
I choose to do a monologue from Antigone by Sophocles because of my passion for Greek theatre. Two of my all time favourite playwrights are Sophocles and Euripides. My passion for their work stems from my amazement and awe that something written over 2,500 years ago has stood the test of time and is still such an integral influence in today's modern theatre. Also, I wanted to show the audition panel that I am very compassionate about classical theatre. I choose to do Juniper's monologue from Tomorrow's wish by Wade Bradford because I was looking for a character that contrasted Antigone in character, setting, and context. Another reason why I choose Tomorrows wish is because I have read and thoroughly enjoyed some of Bradford's other work, and as a writer I admire his work.
The two characters I have been working on have some small similarities such as age and gender; however I believe that in characteristics they differ greatly. Juniper is a very naive innocent young girl who has been sheltered from the world for most of her childhood, whereas Antigone is a teenage girl who is much more exposed to the world and is experienced in how it functions. Antigone has had to witness a lot of evil and pain and death in her life, and has been forced to deal with much more serious issues than most girls her age would ever have to. I believe that because of this Juniper is a very simple and narrow minded young girl, contrasting Antigone's feisty and rebellious character.
Another way in which the monologues differ is in setting. Sophocles wrote Antigone as the first of the Theban plays in 442BC, and then went on to write the prequel King Oedipus in 429BC and Oedipus at Colonus shortly before his death in 406BC. All three plays are mostly set in the city of Thebes in Ancient Greece, and within the plays there are many references to various other places such as Athens and Colonus. Tomorrow's wish is set in 21st century America in a small suburban area. The difference in era changes the context of both texts drastically. The issues and themes looked at in Tomorrow's wish would be unimportant and highly irrelevant in an Ancient Greek setting. And the drama and action that takes place in the three Theban plays would seem out of places and abnormal happening in modern day America. This also leads onto the linguistics of the two texts. Tomorrows wish is a play written in modern day English, whereas the language in Antigone is very archaic and poetic. The difference in the style of writing in the two speeches also helped me make my decision.
Another way in which the two monologues contrast is in content. Simply put, the two girls are talking about completely different things. Antigone has just admitted to disobeying an order from her uncle who also happens to be the king of Thebes and has a lot of power and status. In the monologue itself Antigone is justifying her actions not only to King Creon, but also to herself. Juniper however, talks about the first and only time she has ever kissed a boy. Through the monologue her boredom with her hometown and homeschooled life seeps out, and her learning disabilities can be seen in her repetition of specific parts of the text.
Another contrasting element in the two texts is the family surrounding the two characters I have chosen offer very different support networks. Juniper was looked after by her single mother until their relationship became toxic due to her special ability. She then moved in with her grandma, where she has lived a homeschooled sheltered life. She has been metaphorically bubble-wrapped by her grandma for most of her life. Antigone on the other hand was born as the youngest child to her mother and her brother, Jocasta and King Oedipus. Her father and brother Oedipus died a painful and dishonourable death after blinding himself, her mother committed suicide, and her two brothers killed one another. Nearly everyone that Antigone has ever known and loved has died, except her uncle Creon, Ismene her elder sister, and Creon's son Haemon to whom she is betrothed. At the point in the play where the monologue I have chosen is, King Creon has ordered my death for giving burial to my brother, and even threatened to have my only remaining sibling Ismene killed as well. Haemon and Antigone are meant to marry soon, but now she is certain of her impending death she knows she shall die unwed. Personally I enjoy the irony that Creon is happy to sentence his "sons bride" to death. Overall, both young girls Antigone and Juniper have very unstable support systems, however Juniper has not had to deal with the concept of death whereas Antigone has been overexposed to death.
Also what's at stake for both of the characters are at completely different ends of the spectrum. Antigone is, in a way fighting for her life, even though she "knew she would have to die." Whereas for Juniper her secret and the relationship with her cousin Juniper is at stake. Although in comparison it seems like Antigone's worries are much more significant and worthwhile than Juniper's issues, Juniper is just as invested in her own problems as Antigone.
To conclude, I believe I have found two very contrasting monologues that can show off and exemplify certain aspects of my own personality, whilst still challenging me to better myself. I also believe both the monologues i chose have some very clear readable objectives and both have a strong emotional journey and narrative.
