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khepiari's review
5.0
The pleasure of holding an illustrated book has never changed for me. When I held the first illustrated Ugly Duckling, I was awestruck and when I hold the illustrated Oedipus the King, I drool at the art and typesetting.
This story is as old as time, at least the myth is. A myth that describes a psychological complexity between a parent and child, and is the root cause of discord in seventy percent of Indian families (pun intended). Actual play of Sophocles' has elements of detective novel, where poor Oedipus is obsessed with finding clues to the immoral task (murder of King Laius) that happened in Thebes and because of which Thebes is plagued and blighted. The retelling of the play has retained the curious mind and king complex of Oedipus.
Begins with collective voice of common masses of Thebes, the chorus. Who are beautifully distinguished with red letters. Throughout the narration they try to remain honest and faithful to the king. Each section is divided by detailed symbols each varied from other. The whole book is aesthetically pleasing, from its typesetting to margins to spacing between words, everything is neat.
I loved the art that is obviously inspired from Greek Pottery and the use of colours, half of which I can't name. Though it's a tragic story I read, holding the book makes me feel purged and happy. I have two more illustrated Greek plays to finish by the same trio.
For me moral of each Greek tragedy with prophecy in it, is that, don't try to control your future especially your tragedies, you will cause more trouble. Queen Merope and King Polybus are casualties of one man's stupidity that is Laius. They could have raised a perfectly healthy son, educated him, told him about the prophecy, and then sent him to war to command first line of defence like David sent a certain soldier to steal his wife.
This story is as old as time, at least the myth is. A myth that describes a psychological complexity between a parent and child, and is the root cause of discord in seventy percent of Indian families (pun intended). Actual play of Sophocles' has elements of detective novel, where poor Oedipus is obsessed with finding clues to the immoral task (murder of King Laius) that happened in Thebes and because of which Thebes is plagued and blighted. The retelling of the play has retained the curious mind and king complex of Oedipus.
Begins with collective voice of common masses of Thebes, the chorus. Who are beautifully distinguished with red letters. Throughout the narration they try to remain honest and faithful to the king. Each section is divided by detailed symbols each varied from other. The whole book is aesthetically pleasing, from its typesetting to margins to spacing between words, everything is neat.
I loved the art that is obviously inspired from Greek Pottery and the use of colours, half of which I can't name. Though it's a tragic story I read, holding the book makes me feel purged and happy. I have two more illustrated Greek plays to finish by the same trio.
For me moral of each Greek tragedy with prophecy in it, is that, don't try to control your future especially your tragedies, you will cause more trouble. Queen Merope and King Polybus are casualties of one man's stupidity that is Laius. They could have raised a perfectly healthy son, educated him, told him about the prophecy, and then sent him to war to command first line of defence like David sent a certain soldier to steal his wife.
pagesfullofstars's review
4.0
"Fear? What has a man to do with fear? Chance rules our lives, and the future is all unknown. Best live as we may, from day to day."
I first read Oedipus the King back in high school but I had to re-read it for my literature class now and I enjoyed it much more than the last time. One thing that always baffles me when I pick up classical literature is not only an extremely high quality of it, but also the fact that most of the truths which the author included in this play would be still pretty much relevant nowadays. And it poses a question that has troubled people through centuries - does free will matter or is our fate already predetermined? Definitely a worthy read and good introduction to Greek Tragedy.
I first read Oedipus the King back in high school but I had to re-read it for my literature class now and I enjoyed it much more than the last time. One thing that always baffles me when I pick up classical literature is not only an extremely high quality of it, but also the fact that most of the truths which the author included in this play would be still pretty much relevant nowadays. And it poses a question that has troubled people through centuries - does free will matter or is our fate already predetermined? Definitely a worthy read and good introduction to Greek Tragedy.
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