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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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
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
I enjoyed reading King Oedipus for the first time but I felt a little bad for finding it amusing, as everyone knows how the play goes, so watching him slowly uncover the truth is rough. I liked Antigone, I thought it was more interesting than the second play, and I thought that she was noble to bury her brother, even knowing what it would cost her. Overall I think it would be better to see it performed, rather than read. I was also confused as to the translation of God singular? I will need to look into it.
“I have no desire to suffer twice in reality than in retrospect.”
Ironically the Oedipus cycle was nothing, really but suffering. These plays were interesting.. to say the least. I don’t have much to add that hasn’t been said before.
Is it just me who thinks Oedipus had no reason for guilt? Now the whole situation is complicated as hell and as we are studying the definition of six models of tragedy according to Aristotle it states “the main hero makes a mistake.” While the whole situation of killing your father and marrying your mother definitely is a mistake! I am definitely in no way endorsing incest, just that it would’ve happened in any alternative timeline. You cannot escape fate and he was left in the dark (to some extent.) I can understand wanting to live in exile because of the same but after all these years he still punishes himself?
Oedipus The King had the most action and felt more jointed. The cutting of all the action made me feel disconnected from the story and annoyed I had to hear summaries. I know this was due to the limits of how plays were first performed but it definitely hindered my reading experience.
Seperate reviews for Oedipus Rex and Antigone to come.
Ironically the Oedipus cycle was nothing, really but suffering. These plays were interesting.. to say the least. I don’t have much to add that hasn’t been said before.
Is it just me who thinks Oedipus had no reason for guilt? Now the whole situation is complicated as hell and as we are studying the definition of six models of tragedy according to Aristotle it states “the main hero makes a mistake.” While the whole situation of killing your father and marrying your mother definitely is a mistake! I am definitely in no way endorsing incest, just that it would’ve happened in any alternative timeline. You cannot escape fate and he was left in the dark (to some extent.) I can understand wanting to live in exile because of the same but after all these years he still punishes himself?
Oedipus The King had the most action and felt more jointed. The cutting of all the action made me feel disconnected from the story and annoyed I had to hear summaries. I know this was due to the limits of how plays were first performed but it definitely hindered my reading experience.
Seperate reviews for Oedipus Rex and Antigone to come.
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oedipus tells the classic and horrific tale of humanities lack of control and the powers of fate in the downfall of every individual. It is truly a haunting tale applicable to everyone in all times and places despite its ancient roots.
4 stars only because the classical translation was a bit too formal for me but it’s script format made it still accessible to read and understand.
4 stars only because the classical translation was a bit too formal for me but it’s script format made it still accessible to read and understand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Self harm, Suicide, Murder
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
A fine group of plays small yet pack a punch. Wish my copy of the plays where in the right order by putting Antigone last. Oedipus is more complex than what pop culture turn it into.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Suicide, Murder
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Massive King Lear vibes. This trilogy truly had everything I hoped for. I’m only wondering whether the Eurydice in this play is at all related to the one from Metamorphoses.
It is difficult to give this specific book a rating because it is a collection of three plays plus analytical essays describing each play and the historical/mythological context. Essentially, there are so many facets to this book, it is difficult to provide one overarching rating.
I will say, however, that I think the book is overall very well put together. The translations allow for the drama and tragedy to shine through (but could we really expect anything less from Robert Fagles? I love him). Additionally, there is an ample amount of information about each of the plays and about Sophocles' life. That brings up another difficult aspect to reviewing this book: there are essentially two authors. Sophocles wrote the plays but Robert Fagles translated them and provided the contextual essays.
Moving on to the content of the plays, I can definitively say that Antigone was my favorite. It was short, concise, and extremely dramatic (so basically, a very fun reading experience). Oedipus Rex described the prophecy which cursed Oedipus and the effects of said prophecy on his family and on Thebes. I really loved watching each character unravel the story of Oedipus' prophecy and its consequences. Oedipus at Colonus, however, was my least favorite of the three plays. It was extremely long and full of frail, blind Oedipus suffering the repercussions of his curse (basically whining and fighting with Creon and Theseus).
I will say, however, that I think the book is overall very well put together. The translations allow for the drama and tragedy to shine through (but could we really expect anything less from Robert Fagles? I love him). Additionally, there is an ample amount of information about each of the plays and about Sophocles' life. That brings up another difficult aspect to reviewing this book: there are essentially two authors. Sophocles wrote the plays but Robert Fagles translated them and provided the contextual essays.
Moving on to the content of the plays, I can definitively say that Antigone was my favorite. It was short, concise, and extremely dramatic (so basically, a very fun reading experience). Oedipus Rex described the prophecy which cursed Oedipus and the effects of said prophecy on his family and on Thebes. I really loved watching each character unravel the story of Oedipus' prophecy and its consequences. Oedipus at Colonus, however, was my least favorite of the three plays. It was extremely long and full of frail, blind Oedipus suffering the repercussions of his curse (basically whining and fighting with Creon and Theseus).