Here I would try to make it immediately obvious that the messenger thinks that he has the upper hand because he has information.
As the messenger, I would enter proudly with my head held high and strong, knowing steps. I would have my mouth in a small smirk to show that the messenger is boasting about having the power, finally.
This would mean that first of all the audience would not warm to me, due to my obvious power hunger and my arrogance.
Firstly, I address the noblemen of Thebes, ‘you noblemen of Thebes’ showing my confidence and also giving the impression that I rank amongst them, if not higher. I would raise my hand in the air nobly as I shook my head slowly – showing that despite my arrogance I still have respect for them. My voice would be loud and certain and my posture would be tall. There should be obvious elements of the messenger imitating Creon, for example a small but noticeable habit that would be recognised as the messenger’s efforts to be as strong and powerful as Creon. I then go on to say ‘An hour ago, how much I envied Creon!’ this is when I admit my hungry for power and how, as soon as Creon has lost elements of his power, I immediately stop wishing to be like him. I would speak this with a tone of embarrassment and slight humiliation, showing pity in myself but still keeping my strong presence on stage.
I would make it seem as the messenger is talking too much, as though I can not stop talking, since I have heightened in power. For example during my long monologues I would show myself as being detached mentally from my mouth and not actually aware of everything I say. This will add to my naivety – as I do not know when to stop talking, it would also show a weakness within my apparent strong façade.
When the messenger says ‘It is unnatural’ to the chorus, I would make myself seem patronising, also adding to my gullibility because the chorus is omniscient in Antigone and it is silly of me to believe that I am teaching them a lesson. When I say this would look over my shoulder and down my nose at them with a small sincere smile as though to say ‘well done’. Of course this would show the audience that the messenger is simply being self-centred and egotistical.
My last lines in the play would be ‘she heard my bitter story; then she put a dagger to her heart and drove it home’. Here, I would finally show some sort of remorse for the news that I had to deliver, although I would place emphasis on the word ‘my’ to make it clear to Creon that I had played a big part in this event and hinting that I should be rewarded. I would exit the stage through the centre upstage exit, as I would believe that I had the centre of attention within that moment. I would exit looking thoroughly pleased with myself, unknowing the levels of pain that I had set off.
Alicia Day.
Word count: 650
