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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
The play Antigone is my favorite. Antigone’s fate and the story of the crucifixion of Jesus have many parallels that I think are more than mere coincidence.
The story of Oedipus is one of the more widely known myths (he's the one who killed his father and married his mother) but it was different experience altogether reading the actual play. The translation I read was one by Paul Roche, and I think he did a really nice job. Probably the reason I enjoyed this was because of the fact that it was written OVER TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO. It's hard to even fathom that many years, but what makes it even more amazing is that it's so readable and relevant in spite of the huge gap between author and reader. I would never have thought about reading this if it hadn't been included in my European Literature class, so I'm glad of that.
I have read and read and re-read these for the last eight years, and will continue to do so for as long as I have eyesight. Oedipus at Colonus is fairly dull, but it's too bad it's been utterly overlooked in the scheme of the plays. And Antigone has long been a personal hero of mine.
This was such a weird experience. Idk what was in the water that made ancient Greeks want to keep these plays for hundreds of years. Though I laughed a few times. I don’t think it was on purpose but credit where credit is due.
Also this translation was strange. He kept referencing God/ the Heavenly Father while also talking about Zeus and other gods. You can’t have both, Edward. Also he kept mixing up the Greek and Roman gods. He mentioned both Pluto (Roman) and Ares (Greek). Please pick a pantheon, mister, you’re confusing me.
Also this translation was strange. He kept referencing God/ the Heavenly Father while also talking about Zeus and other gods. You can’t have both, Edward. Also he kept mixing up the Greek and Roman gods. He mentioned both Pluto (Roman) and Ares (Greek). Please pick a pantheon, mister, you’re confusing me.
This translation made Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone easy to read. It was my first time so I was appreciative of this version because I was able to enjoy Sophocles.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
All of these plays were excellent. I enjoyed Oedipus Rex the most but Antigone was a close second. These plays are a master class in how to use foreshadowing well. Sophocles plays read more like a modern drama when compared with the poetic flourish of Aeschylus’s “Oresteia.” But don’t let his subtle style fool you, these three Theban plays are philosophically rich and well worth the read.
Greek tragedies are truly unmatched. Of the three plays, I absolutely loved the first two. Oedipus’s lore is honestly fascinating. And it brings about a good debate in fate versus free will!! Anyways, my Greek mythology nerdiness showed up big time in these, but honestly recommend for anyone!! Also just crazy to think these were written before Jesus was born!!