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A review by professor_x
The Three Theban Plays: Antigone / Oedipus the King / Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles
5.0
Antigone
"Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy,
and reverence towards the gods must be safeguarded.
The mighty words of the proud are paid in full
with mighty blows of fate, and at long last
those blows will teach us wisdom."
This final passage represents the theme for Antigone. These are the wise words that the Chorus speaks and are the ones that Creon should have listened to in the beginning. He was warned by his son. The blind prophet Tiresias told him to heed his words. Yet Creon did not. The price he pays for his insolence, disrespect, and lack of better judgement is a deep one; the loss of his son, wife, and niece, all by suicide. Creon's fall from grace is thunderous one.
Sophocles is a master of writing these downfalls from glory. He knew how to write a tale that would affect the crowd (and the reader) and have them reflect on their own lives. The reaction from the Athenian audience must've been one of shock and awe.
I enjoyed Oedipus the King more than this play. The destruction of the main characters are nearly the same, but how the events unfold for Oedipus is rivaled like no other. Antigone is definitely worth the read though!
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Oedipus the King
This play was my introduction into Tragedy and Drama and what an inauguration it was! The horrible circumstances that fall upon Oedipus are truly horrific and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
The Gods are a cruel bunch, but I already knew this after reading The Iliad. Oedipus learned the hard way that trying to change the course of his terrible destiny was fruitless and in vain. He just couldn't see (no pun intended...hehe) that he was the reason the vile plague on Thebes continued. There is so much foreboding and cosmic irony stuffed into the story that its impossible to not laugh as you see the coincidences in the dialogue.
Truly a great, entertaining, sad, tragic, and amazing play. It would've been amazing to watch this performed in ancient Athens.
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Oedipus at Colonus
The final chapter of the Theban Plays opens with old, weathered Oedipus arriving just outside of glorious Athens. Alongside him is his faithful daughter Antigone, who has been his guiding eyes ever since he took his own years ago. They end their trip directly in front of a sacred forest, where the Furies are worshipped. This is the site of Oepidus' final resting place, according to the prophecy that was told to him. He has been searching for this very spot for many years.
Multiple characters come on the scene and this is where the audience witnesses the fierceness and cutting anger that stirs inside Oedipus' heart. He has a good amount of indignation pent up after so many years, and his words come in the form of daggers which strike and stab his own son Polynices and his brother-in-law/uncle Creon. He doesn't hold back.
I found this play exciting and enthralling. The monologues were great and full of energy. The ending itself was great, with one of the most powerful gods letting his presence known. I enjoyed Oedipus the King greatly, and Oedipus at Colonus is a close second. Antigone was okay, but I have to reread it and see how I feel afterwards.
Overall, a fantastic literary journey.
"Wisdom is by far the greatest part of joy,
and reverence towards the gods must be safeguarded.
The mighty words of the proud are paid in full
with mighty blows of fate, and at long last
those blows will teach us wisdom."
This final passage represents the theme for Antigone. These are the wise words that the Chorus speaks and are the ones that Creon should have listened to in the beginning. He was warned by his son. The blind prophet Tiresias told him to heed his words. Yet Creon did not. The price he pays for his insolence, disrespect, and lack of better judgement is a deep one; the loss of his son, wife, and niece, all by suicide. Creon's fall from grace is thunderous one.
Sophocles is a master of writing these downfalls from glory. He knew how to write a tale that would affect the crowd (and the reader) and have them reflect on their own lives. The reaction from the Athenian audience must've been one of shock and awe.
I enjoyed Oedipus the King more than this play. The destruction of the main characters are nearly the same, but how the events unfold for Oedipus is rivaled like no other. Antigone is definitely worth the read though!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Oedipus the King
This play was my introduction into Tragedy and Drama and what an inauguration it was! The horrible circumstances that fall upon Oedipus are truly horrific and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
The Gods are a cruel bunch, but I already knew this after reading The Iliad. Oedipus learned the hard way that trying to change the course of his terrible destiny was fruitless and in vain. He just couldn't see (no pun intended...hehe) that he was the reason the vile plague on Thebes continued. There is so much foreboding and cosmic irony stuffed into the story that its impossible to not laugh as you see the coincidences in the dialogue.
Truly a great, entertaining, sad, tragic, and amazing play. It would've been amazing to watch this performed in ancient Athens.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oedipus at Colonus
The final chapter of the Theban Plays opens with old, weathered Oedipus arriving just outside of glorious Athens. Alongside him is his faithful daughter Antigone, who has been his guiding eyes ever since he took his own years ago. They end their trip directly in front of a sacred forest, where the Furies are worshipped. This is the site of Oepidus' final resting place, according to the prophecy that was told to him. He has been searching for this very spot for many years.
Multiple characters come on the scene and this is where the audience witnesses the fierceness and cutting anger that stirs inside Oedipus' heart. He has a good amount of indignation pent up after so many years, and his words come in the form of daggers which strike and stab his own son Polynices and his brother-in-law/uncle Creon. He doesn't hold back.
I found this play exciting and enthralling. The monologues were great and full of energy. The ending itself was great, with one of the most powerful gods letting his presence known. I enjoyed Oedipus the King greatly, and Oedipus at Colonus is a close second. Antigone was okay, but I have to reread it and see how I feel afterwards.
Overall, a fantastic literary journey.