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A review by wuthrinheights
The Theban Plays by Sophocles
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
KING OEDIPUS (4.5 stars)
A classic, a classic. A horrific tale of mortals trying to outwit the Sun god's prophecy and failing miserably. How sad it is to wrestle Fate and losing every time. I loved the Chorus's hands of intervention in between the dialogues. It felt refreshing.
OEDIPUS AT COLONIUS (2 stars)
Well, I've never had much love for sequels. They can never live up to the originals. Oedipus at Colonius, many decades since his exile, tells the ongoing tale of his cursed life. Blind, homeless, thrown out and sold by his sons. There was a cameo of Theseus, who, despite being a king, was funnily(to me) at Oedipus's beck and call. Oedipus's character changed drastically over the years. Where once he was proud and confident, and now he is a shell of a man, afraid of touching anyone in fear that they too will bear his curse (reminding me heavily of King Midas). The story wasn't as thrilling but I'm glad I got to read it.
ANTIGONE (1.5 stars)
Goodness, it's worse than the sequel. I keep hearing how good Antigone is, so I was excited to read it but it did not interest me at all. When I got to the last page, I let out a sigh. Did I read it wrongly, was my brain too fried at 3am, or was it just overhyped and I had my expectations too high? Antigone, with her strong will, went against the law and paid the price for it. People died, I did not care. I was thoroughly bored with it. Am I too harsh for saying maybe Sophocles was a one hit wonder?
A classic, a classic. A horrific tale of mortals trying to outwit the Sun god's prophecy and failing miserably. How sad it is to wrestle Fate and losing every time. I loved the Chorus's hands of intervention in between the dialogues. It felt refreshing.
OEDIPUS AT COLONIUS (2 stars)
Well, I've never had much love for sequels. They can never live up to the originals. Oedipus at Colonius, many decades since his exile, tells the ongoing tale of his cursed life. Blind, homeless, thrown out and sold by his sons. There was a cameo of Theseus, who, despite being a king, was funnily(to me) at Oedipus's beck and call. Oedipus's character changed drastically over the years. Where once he was proud and confident, and now he is a shell of a man, afraid of touching anyone in fear that they too will bear his curse (reminding me heavily of King Midas). The story wasn't as thrilling but I'm glad I got to read it.
ANTIGONE (1.5 stars)
Goodness, it's worse than the sequel. I keep hearing how good Antigone is, so I was excited to read it but it did not interest me at all. When I got to the last page, I let out a sigh. Did I read it wrongly, was my brain too fried at 3am, or was it just overhyped and I had my expectations too high? Antigone, with her strong will, went against the law and paid the price for it. People died, I did not care. I was thoroughly bored with it. Am I too harsh for saying maybe Sophocles was a one hit wonder?