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547 reviews for:
The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; Antigone
Sophocles
3.86 AVERAGE
547 reviews for:
The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Colonus; Antigone
Sophocles
3.86 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Antigone: 4.0/5.0
Oedipus Rex: 3.0/5.0
Oedipus at Colonus: 1.5/5.0
Oedipus Rex: 3.0/5.0
Oedipus at Colonus: 1.5/5.0
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually rather enjoyed these, which I was quite surprised about since I'm not usually one for reading plays, especially tragedies but these were actually rather enjoyable. Together they tell the tale of Oedipus as he becomes king and finds that he has commited some of the most treasonous and despiccable acts without thought or realisation and the consequences of these events for both him and his remaining family. This translation is very readable and thoroughly engrossing, keeping the reader interested throughout each of the stories. The introduction adds meaning and clarity to each of the plays and sheds a little light on the writer and his motivation without bombarding the reader with too much detail or ruining the enjoyment of the plays themselves.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5 stars because of robert fagles
"Mortals cannot escape their destiny."
To say each play is a tragedy would be an understatement. Happy to have finally read the source of Freud's Oedipux complex. As always, the women of ancient Greek society were always belittled and disrespected by the men.
To say each play is a tragedy would be an understatement. Happy to have finally read the source of Freud's Oedipux complex. As always, the women of ancient Greek society were always belittled and disrespected by the men.
Dramatic and fast-paced, Sophocles delivers three well-crafted plays that stand the test of time.
Though not meant to be a proper trilogy, I think reading them in chronological order (Rex, Colonus, Antigone) is probably the best way of reading them. However, each play can be read by itself and is pretty self-contained. One does not need to read them in chronological order because Sophocles gives the proper context every time.
While Oedipus Rex is easily the most well-known of the plays (thanks to Freud), I think Antigone is probably the most moving play thanks to Antigone and the emotional weight of her actions and feelings.
Well worth the read, I would say these are better than Aeschylus' Oresteia. Again, though not a proper trilogy like the Oresteia, Sophocles nonetheless delivers impactful and dramatic stories that could move even the hardest to tears.
Though not meant to be a proper trilogy, I think reading them in chronological order (Rex, Colonus, Antigone) is probably the best way of reading them. However, each play can be read by itself and is pretty self-contained. One does not need to read them in chronological order because Sophocles gives the proper context every time.
While Oedipus Rex is easily the most well-known of the plays (thanks to Freud), I think Antigone is probably the most moving play thanks to Antigone and the emotional weight of her actions and feelings.
Well worth the read, I would say these are better than Aeschylus' Oresteia. Again, though not a proper trilogy like the Oresteia, Sophocles nonetheless delivers impactful and dramatic stories that could move even the hardest to tears.
I really enjoyed these. Short and gripping & interesting character dynamics. Plus some really beautiful writing!
Read Oedipus for one of my modules.
A play that looks at the limits of Hellenic knowledge - Oedipus who was on a quest for knowledge, but was horrified at the truth of himself and blinded himself so he would never see his shame anymore. The play inverts the usual idea of knowledge=light, ignorance=dark; Oedipus' self-blinding puts him forever in the dark, and seems a mark of having attained full self-knowledge (e.g., Tiresias the blind prophet who sees all). There's also the idea of sight passing on knowledge - he blinds himself so he can't pass on the shame of his truth; others want to see him, but can't bear to look at him for fear that his knowledge is 'contagious', in a sense.
The play is centuries old, but the dreadful tension and intensity that escalates and escalates to a fever pitch till the truth is revealed is as compelling as if it were a modern play. Really liked this play.
A play that looks at the limits of Hellenic knowledge - Oedipus who was on a quest for knowledge, but was horrified at the truth of himself and blinded himself so he would never see his shame anymore. The play inverts the usual idea of knowledge=light, ignorance=dark; Oedipus' self-blinding puts him forever in the dark, and seems a mark of having attained full self-knowledge (e.g., Tiresias the blind prophet who sees all). There's also the idea of sight passing on knowledge - he blinds himself so he can't pass on the shame of his truth; others want to see him, but can't bear to look at him for fear that his knowledge is 'contagious', in a sense.
The play is centuries old, but the dreadful tension and intensity that escalates and escalates to a fever pitch till the truth is revealed is as compelling as if it were a modern play. Really liked this play.