Monday, February 4, 2013

What is an example of alliteration in the story Antigone?

Do not forget that
alliteration is a sound mechanism, in which the same
initial consonant sound is repeated several times within a line or phrase.  It is a
poetic device.  When used in prose the purpose is most often to make a line more
memorable, or have a greater impact.


Keeping that in mind,
it is best if you are reading an early translation rather than a modern translation of
the play.  You will likely find several examples of alliteration in one of Creon's
speeches.  As the king in this play, he is the most flamboyant speaker because he wishes
to sound wise, confident, and powerful.  He does not speak plainly because he wants to
be taken seriously.


One famous line of alliteration in
Antigone comes in Scene 2, when Creon first brings Antigone in to
convict her in front of his people.  At this point of the story, Antigone is clearly
guilty, and now her sister Ismene's part is
questioned:


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Go, some of you, arrest Ismene. I accuse her
equally. Bring her: you will find her sniffling in the house there. Her mind's a
traitor: crimes kept in the dark cry for light, but how much worse than this is
brazen
boasting of
barefaced
anarchy!



Not only does the
alliteration in the final line bring home his point with demand and finality, but his
diction as well.

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