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540 reviews for:
The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; Antigone
Sophocles
3.86 AVERAGE
540 reviews for:
The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; Antigone
Sophocles
3.86 AVERAGE
I'm not sure why there isn't commentary for the first play or why the dedications have no translation even though the authors clearly realize they're writing for an audience that doesn't read Greek. But it's nice to have all three plays bound together so I now know what exactly happens before Antigone since that's the only one I read/watched in school.
It is a powerful play about the tragic death of Antigone, revealing the truly tragic effects of pride.
This is the first piece of classical literature I've loved from the beginning.
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ah! Ah! The agony and pain of mortals!
I actually only read Antigone (for the first time) and dang that play is bonkers, would recommend.
Read Antigone for english class and I honestly found it quite interesting
Antigone is one of the greatest, most thought-provoking plays I've ever read.
I think Oedipus at Colonus fleshes out some of the nuance missing from Oedipus Rex and gives some necessary understanding for Antigone's character. With that said, I think there's not much more to Oedipus Rex than the story - if you know the plot or story arc, reading the play doesn't add much, other than an introduction to Creon (for reading Antigone, of course). I'm sure there's much that I'm missing, but I just didn't feel Oedipus Rex really delves into its themes in the way Antigone does. Perhaps Oedipus at Colonus does somewhat, as it remarks that Oedipus unknowingly committed his crimes and shows his moral growth in releasing himself to the will of the gods, but it really all pales to the conclusion to the Oedipus Cycle, Antigone, an absolutely beautiful play that questions God's laws vs human laws. Though the play seems to settle Sophocles' matter on the subject, it's a topic I can't help but return to time and time again as I contemplate our modern world. When compared to Antigone, Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus are mostly interesting only because they provide background for understanding the world of Antigone.
I think Oedipus at Colonus fleshes out some of the nuance missing from Oedipus Rex and gives some necessary understanding for Antigone's character. With that said, I think there's not much more to Oedipus Rex than the story - if you know the plot or story arc, reading the play doesn't add much, other than an introduction to Creon (for reading Antigone, of course). I'm sure there's much that I'm missing, but I just didn't feel Oedipus Rex really delves into its themes in the way Antigone does. Perhaps Oedipus at Colonus does somewhat, as it remarks that Oedipus unknowingly committed his crimes and shows his moral growth in releasing himself to the will of the gods, but it really all pales to the conclusion to the Oedipus Cycle, Antigone, an absolutely beautiful play that questions God's laws vs human laws. Though the play seems to settle Sophocles' matter on the subject, it's a topic I can't help but return to time and time again as I contemplate our modern world. When compared to Antigone, Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus are mostly interesting only because they provide background for understanding the world of Antigone.
I think I underestimated the Greeks. That may be obvious because I hadn’t read Homer, or any Greek literature, until this year.
There is an intensity to these plays that speaks to the soul, if you let it. My favorite was Antigone, but Oedipus the King is a close second. There can be a lot said for the dichotomy of fate and freewill, which Sophocles deeply explores.
It was a pleasant surprise to see I had Fagles’ translation. Bernard Knox’s introduction was insightful and enjoyable, and I’m someone who finds introductions dry and tedious.
Now I ought to read Aeschylus and Euripides. Or maybe, who knows? Get crazy (for me) and delve into some Plato and Aristotle.
There is an intensity to these plays that speaks to the soul, if you let it. My favorite was Antigone, but Oedipus the King is a close second. There can be a lot said for the dichotomy of fate and freewill, which Sophocles deeply explores.
It was a pleasant surprise to see I had Fagles’ translation. Bernard Knox’s introduction was insightful and enjoyable, and I’m someone who finds introductions dry and tedious.
Now I ought to read Aeschylus and Euripides. Or maybe, who knows? Get crazy (for me) and delve into some Plato and Aristotle.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ok yayyy finally i finished reading this. love to that intro to poli sci professor five years ago who made us buy the whole book just to read antigone, i prefer this translation to what i'd read b4. interesting to be reading this alongside learning about freud's oedipal complex, freud seems to have done a very modern thing in attaching a name to something that doesn't quite share its meaning. antigone will be one of my favourites forever, but oedipus at colonus sneakily got me with how much it's like king lear