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Sophocles I: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus
Paperback
Published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Sophocles
2,598 books2,570 followersSophocles (497/496 BC-406/405 BC), (Greek:
Σοφοκλής
; German:
Sophokles
, Russian:
Софокл
, French:
Sophocle
) was an ancient Greek tragedian, known as one of three from whom at least one play has survived in full. His first plays were written later than, or contemporary with, those of Aeschylus; and earlier than, or contemporary with, those of Euripides. Sophocles wrote over 120 plays, but only seven have survived in a complete form: Ajax, Antigone, Women of Trachis, Oedipus Rex, Electra, Philoctetes, and Oedipus at Colonus. For almost fifty years, Sophocles was the most celebrated playwright in the dramatic competitions of the city-state of Athens which took place during the religious festivals of the Lenaea and the Dionysia. He competed in thirty competitions, won twenty-four, and was never judged lower than second place. Aeschylus won thirteen competitions, and was sometimes defeated by Sophocles; Euripides won four.
The most famous tragedies of Sophocles feature Oedipus and Antigone: they are generally known as the Theban plays, though each was part of a different tetralogy (the other members of which are now lost). Sophocles influenced the development of drama, most importantly by adding a third actor (attributed to Sophocles by Aristotle; to Aeschylus by Themistius), thereby reducing the importance of the chorus in the presentation of the plot. He also developed his characters to a greater extent than earlier playwrights.
The most famous tragedies of Sophocles feature Oedipus and Antigone: they are generally known as the Theban plays, though each was part of a different tetralogy (the other members of which are now lost). Sophocles influenced the development of drama, most importantly by adding a third actor (attributed to Sophocles by Aristotle; to Aeschylus by Themistius), thereby reducing the importance of the chorus in the presentation of the plot. He also developed his characters to a greater extent than earlier playwrights.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 3, 2025
Honestly, maybe I'm comparing too many things to Homer and a great epic poem but these plays felt like they should have been a part of a broader story but were instead a few drawn out scenes. That is probably an artifact of the limitations of the contest rules for which they were written and the fact that everyone watching would already be familiar with the story but still. I get things should be judged for what they are and plays don't have to cover the range that a novel would but even judging it on its own merit, I wasn't blown away.
They are good at capturing the depth of horrible emotions humans are capable of in lunacy inducing tragedies. And Sophocles was good and crafting the story to build up the anticipation, tension, and emotional horror as much as possible. The essays in the collection are good -- they are clearer and more interesting than most essays in classic books.
Still, I would say overrated given the recognition that the name Oedipus still brings, Freud metaphorically "bumping" the topic or not.
These are the first ancient Greek plays I've read and so far I'm not impressed.
They are good at capturing the depth of horrible emotions humans are capable of in lunacy inducing tragedies. And Sophocles was good and crafting the story to build up the anticipation, tension, and emotional horror as much as possible. The essays in the collection are good -- they are clearer and more interesting than most essays in classic books.
Still, I would say overrated given the recognition that the name Oedipus still brings, Freud metaphorically "bumping" the topic or not.
These are the first ancient Greek plays I've read and so far I'm not impressed.
July 16, 2025
Liked these translations a lot. Though it's three different translators, they're fairly uniform in style, and it's a strong style. Something of the dryness that seems inevitable in translations from ancient Greek, but lots of great poetry too. Edition could have had endnotes covering something more than 'text is uncertain here' though.
March 21, 2024
Oedipus the King. The new editors slightly revised and cleaned up David Grene's translation from the 2nd edition. This brisk, elegant, and intelligible version is really useful for teaching the text.
February 1, 2025
honestly really touching. i am pleasantly surprised! antigone as a character really resonated w me too wow crazy how this shit holds up
March 19, 2025
perhaps one of the crazier stories in greek mythology that entire lineage is cursed
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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