THE CLIMAX OF A DRAMATIC WORK DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR IN AN EXPECTED PLACE. DISCUSS THE PLACEMENT OF THE CLIMACTIC MOMENT IN ANTIGONE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE DRAMATIC ACTION OF THE PLAY.

THE CLIMAX OF A DRAMATIC WORK DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR IN AN EXPECTED PLACE. DISCUSS THE PLACEMENT OF THE CLIMACTIC MOMENT IN ANTIGONE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE DRAMATIC ACTION OF THE PLAY.

THE CLIMAX OF A DRAMATIC WORK DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR IN AN EXPECTED PLACE. DISCUSS THE PLACEMENT OF THE CLIMACTIC MOMENT IN ANTIGONE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE DRAMATIC ACTION OF THE PLAY.

The climax is often considered to be the single most prominent feature of a dramatic piece of work. It is the moment, or period, in a work that represents the culmination and coming together of all the events, consequences and ancillary concepts in any literary work. However, it is also the moment when the key underlying message, or messages, of the piece of work is conveyed most effectively to the reader or audience. As such, it is the most anticipated moment of the dramatic work and, perhaps, the most crucial and critical aspect of the work that the author or playwright needs to work on. Frequently, the climax occurs close to the end of the dramatic work, and usually following a sequence of events which suddenly ends or changes during the climax. In Antigone, the climax is best represented by the moment when Creon realizes the suicides of his Son, Haemon, and his future daughter-in-law, Antigone. Shortly after this tragedy, Creon also discovers the suicide of his wife, Eurydice, which some may consider to be the climax of the play. However, for the purposes of this essay, the former shall be considered the climax of the play, as it fits in more appropriately with the usual definition of a climax, as circumscribed above. In this play, the climax does indeed occur in an expected place, although the entire climax itself isn’t very predictable. The placement of the climactic moment in Antigone is critical and has significant implications on the dramatic action of the play.
Perhaps the most important dramatic effect of placing the climax in an anticipated position is the consequence it has upon the timing of the play. Right up until the climax, the sequence of events is such that it consistently strengthens and reaffirms the arrogance and stubbornness of Creon in his punishment...