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558 reviews for:
The Oedipus Cycle: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone
Sophocles, Robert Fitzgerald, Dudley Fitts
3.87 AVERAGE
558 reviews for:
The Oedipus Cycle: Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone
Sophocles, Robert Fitzgerald, Dudley Fitts
3.87 AVERAGE
Fitzgerald and Fitts' translations aren't the most sprightly or suggestive (I look to [a:Anne Carson|34336|Anne Carson|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1380283628p2/34336.jpg] for joy there), but they service well enough for another re-read of these classics.
Burnt offerings go
Up in stench. The gods are dumb. The birds
Of omen cannot sing
For the longest time, I thought Greek literature was inaccessible to mortals like me (no knowledge of Greek whatsoever, not even that into Greek mythology though I did have the quintessential Percy Jackson phase) but nowadays I find myself so taken by Greek tragedy. There is attention to poetry and audibility while sustaining an engaging narrative. Much of my appreciation is given voice in the introduction to its play form in the appendix - the contextualization confirms my feelings on accessibility, timelessness, and empathy. In Sophocles' Oedipus plays, particularly, I enjoyed the balance-skewing-towards-tension between heroics and human fallibility.
I thoroughly enjoyed Roche's translation and as he hoped, I was both thrilled and moved to tears. Verse, particularly that of Greek tragedy, is becoming my new vice. Something about how the form reigns in the unhinged poetics and tragedy - like a framework for my katharsis. The potency of feeling strains against the form, creating a lovely, calculated tension. Each character feels like the most intense representation of a feeling or characteristic: grief, hubris, purity. However, they're never one-dimensional. There is an authentic human frailty in each that is luscious to consume.
Throughout reading, I kept reflecting on the nature of a Greek tragedy itself: how the perfection of Gods' lives manifests in this jealousy of the scope, risk, and unpredictability of human experience. Why else would they enjoy messing around with predestined curses so much? The depth of feeling drama entices is alluring to both mortals and Gods. I liked the progression of Oedipus from a perfect hero, honorable in his disgrace, to someone made fallible by regret and all the sorrow he's experienced. The pervasiveness of the curse was also something I enjoyed in all its cyclicality and omnipotence. I also liked Antigone's initial characterization as a frail, supportive daughter into one so dauntless in the face of and because of grief. These demonstrate a subversion of archetypes that I was pleasantly surprised with.
New word: tharsonic - delivery of lines that seems both from the stage and the pulpit
Up in stench. The gods are dumb. The birds
Of omen cannot sing
For the longest time, I thought Greek literature was inaccessible to mortals like me (no knowledge of Greek whatsoever, not even that into Greek mythology though I did have the quintessential Percy Jackson phase) but nowadays I find myself so taken by Greek tragedy. There is attention to poetry and audibility while sustaining an engaging narrative. Much of my appreciation is given voice in the introduction to its play form in the appendix - the contextualization confirms my feelings on accessibility, timelessness, and empathy. In Sophocles' Oedipus plays, particularly, I enjoyed the balance-skewing-towards-tension between heroics and human fallibility.
I thoroughly enjoyed Roche's translation and as he hoped, I was both thrilled and moved to tears. Verse, particularly that of Greek tragedy, is becoming my new vice. Something about how the form reigns in the unhinged poetics and tragedy - like a framework for my katharsis. The potency of feeling strains against the form, creating a lovely, calculated tension. Each character feels like the most intense representation of a feeling or characteristic: grief, hubris, purity. However, they're never one-dimensional. There is an authentic human frailty in each that is luscious to consume.
Throughout reading, I kept reflecting on the nature of a Greek tragedy itself: how the perfection of Gods' lives manifests in this jealousy of the scope, risk, and unpredictability of human experience. Why else would they enjoy messing around with predestined curses so much? The depth of feeling drama entices is alluring to both mortals and Gods. I liked the progression of Oedipus from a perfect hero, honorable in his disgrace, to someone made fallible by regret and all the sorrow he's experienced. The pervasiveness of the curse was also something I enjoyed in all its cyclicality and omnipotence. I also liked Antigone's initial characterization as a frail, supportive daughter into one so dauntless in the face of and because of grief. These demonstrate a subversion of archetypes that I was pleasantly surprised with.
New word: tharsonic - delivery of lines that seems both from the stage and the pulpit
The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles includes the following three plays:
.
✨Antigone: Daughter of Oedipus, Antigone's story is quite tragic. After loosing both her brothers in the war, Antigone faces a crisis when her brother Polynices is left to the elements in the battlefield and denied proper burial by King Creon. She decides to take matters in her own hand and is subjected to the wrath of the King.
✨Oedipus Rex: The Story of King Oedipus and his marriage to his mother, after killing his own father.
✨Oedipus at Colonus: The last days of Oedipus' life and the story behind his mysterious burial.
.
If you are fond of Greek wars and tragedies, pick this one up. The dialogues are brilliant (especially the ones by Oedipus). It's very atmospheric and there's a lot of political tension and unrest. And if you are into critical analysis, then you are in for a treat. This is a book full of moral contradictions and fateful interventions.
.
✨Antigone: Daughter of Oedipus, Antigone's story is quite tragic. After loosing both her brothers in the war, Antigone faces a crisis when her brother Polynices is left to the elements in the battlefield and denied proper burial by King Creon. She decides to take matters in her own hand and is subjected to the wrath of the King.
✨Oedipus Rex: The Story of King Oedipus and his marriage to his mother, after killing his own father.
✨Oedipus at Colonus: The last days of Oedipus' life and the story behind his mysterious burial.
.
If you are fond of Greek wars and tragedies, pick this one up. The dialogues are brilliant (especially the ones by Oedipus). It's very atmospheric and there's a lot of political tension and unrest. And if you are into critical analysis, then you are in for a treat. This is a book full of moral contradictions and fateful interventions.
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Antigone: 5/5
Oedipus Rex: 5/5
Oedipus at Colonus: 2/5
Oedipus Rex: 5/5
Oedipus at Colonus: 2/5
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
We read Oedipus Rex in high school, so that play was part of my efforts to reread things from school.
4.5 stars. I really liked Oedipus Rex. If a man is said to have an “Oedipus complex”, this is the story where the guy gets a bit too close to his mother. If you only read one Sophocles play, this is the one to read.
2 stars. Oedipus at Colonus wasn’t my favorite but its inclusion became apparent in the third play whenOedipus’ curse comes true
4 stars. I also liked Antigone although not quite as much as Oedipus Rex. It is definitely tragic thatCreon did not realize in time to make a difference.
My main complaint with the plays goes all the way back to the format of chorus, scene, chorus, scene, chorus, etc. I liked the action of the scenes but found the choruses boring. However, this would have been popular during Sophocles’ time and I can’t really fault a guy 2500 years ago for not still being trendy today.
4.5 stars. I really liked Oedipus Rex. If a man is said to have an “Oedipus complex”, this is the story where the guy gets a bit too close to his mother. If you only read one Sophocles play, this is the one to read.
2 stars. Oedipus at Colonus wasn’t my favorite but its inclusion became apparent in the third play when
4 stars. I also liked Antigone although not quite as much as Oedipus Rex. It is definitely tragic that
My main complaint with the plays goes all the way back to the format of chorus, scene, chorus, scene, chorus, etc. I liked the action of the scenes but found the choruses boring. However, this would have been popular during Sophocles’ time and I can’t really fault a guy 2500 years ago for not still being trendy today.