The Transformative Value of Antigone on the Arab Stage: Amplifying Voices of Resistance and Justice

In contexts marked by human rights abuses, state violence, and gender-based injustices, theatrical performances in the Arab world offer a vital platform for marginalized voices. By exploring the transformative power of modern adaptations of Sophocles’ Antigone, particularly in this unique context, this study reveals how these performances serve as poignant reflections of resistance, justice, and societal transformation. Antigone is renowned for its exploration of political themes and moral dilemmas and continues to resonate across cultures and epochs. Through an adaptation theory lens, this study examines various Arab adaptations of Antigone, demonstrating the global reach and influence of this classic work. Drawing on Linda Hutcheon’s theory of adaptation and Julia Kristeva’s concept of intertextuality, the paper delves into how these adaptations dialogue with the source material while incorporating new elements and cultural nuances. Hutcheon emphasizes the importance of viewing adaptations as creative reimagining rather than mere reproductions. This study demonstrates how adaptations of Antigone in the Arab world transcend being mere theatrical performances, serving as platforms for social commentary, cultural reflection, and collective memory. Through their creative reappropriation of Sophocles’ classic, these adaptations illuminate the enduring relevance of Antigone’s timeless themes and their resonance with contemporary struggles for justice and human rights.