The Cell

The cell in which much of the play's action takes place represents both physical and moral imprisonment. Design suggestions in the text suggest that the walls of the cell are not necessarily literal, but are in fact evoked by the placement of light. This means that for audiences watching the play, the cell walls become a function of their imagination, and therefore a component of the play's thematic consideration of imagination's power.

The Sand

The sand moved by John and Winston in the dialogue-free first moments of the play represents the futility and the suffering associated with their situation. They are charged with moving sand back and forth from one section of the beach to another, an endless and unproductive punishment seemingly designed to numb their sense of individuality, trigger fatigue, and arouse tensions between them.

Antigone (the play)

The Classical Greek play Antigone, written...