Sophocles The Theban Plays: King Oedipus, Oedipus At Colonus, Antigone

by E.F. Watling

Genres: Classics

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1963

Reviews

[Lily Paivarinta]

I love all three of these plays, but Antigone will always be my favorite (and possible my favorite play EVER) I have read it multiple times throughout school and adulthood, and every time I am struck by Antigone’s commitment to her beliefs in the face of a proud ruler who refuses wisdom from others. In the face of injustice, she stands firm. I will always love her monologue before her final exit, and the proud proclamation that she honored her god and will die knowing she was right. The tragedy of the play comes after Creon has realized his pride has led to the death of his wife and sons and he sees Antigone, dead on a noose in her cave. She never saw vindication in her life, but she died knowing she was in the right. After reading the first two plays, you understand how tragic Antigone’s life had been, making her final days of faith in the face of injustice so powerful.

As for Creon’s character arc, what a tragic but hopeful ending! In Oedipus the King we see him as a man with power but no desire for the throne. But, once he does take the throne, we see him grow colder to the well being of others. In Oedipus at Colonus we learn he is using and manipulating others to seek better fate from the gods. By the time we get to Antigone, he is making decisions without the counsel of others, and is using his power as an iron rod with which to rule his people. The chorus, his son, and the prophet all seek to persuade him of a better way of rule. They try to convince him that being a good king does not come from harsh laws and making all decisions by himself, as if he has ultimate, infallible wisdom. Being a good ruler means humbly seeking wisdom from others and making decisions to serve the people under him. Creon realizes this too late, and by the time he has a change of heart, everyone he loves is dead. But, it leaves me with hope that he would be a better king for the people of Thebes and rule with justice and humility rather than harshness, as a result of the events of the play.

[Kelly Gwin]

This book was a learning experience. The format, the themes, and the heavily Greek worldview were all really good for me to familiarize myself with for various reasons. These plays are packed with drama, tragedy and events that really require the reader to analyze and assess what is truly moral in a given situation. Especially when some of the situations are as unrepeatable and intense as the ones contained in these plays! I’m definitely interested in exploring more Greek literature, and think this was a great place to start.

[Nicholas Najjar]

Always worth a re-read every few years. I forgot how much I enjoyed Oedipus at Colonus so that was a pleasant surprise.

[Sraddha Patri]

One thing about the greeks is that they will jump to conclusions with zero evidence backing their claims.

[Jenny]

What can be said? The Theban Cycle are 3 of the most captivating stories in human history- pain, irony, regret, and love are central to these narratives which, despite their wholly unrelatable content, well encapsulate the human experience as a whole.

'Oedipus Rex' is a classic for a reason. There's not much new commentary I can add to this play, just that the unravelling of the plot is beautiful in its horror; the story is crafted so well it's no wonder that it's survived.

'Antigone' approaches slightly different themes then 'Rex'; where the first play criticises Oedipus' stubbornness and pride whilst lamenting the inevitability of fate, 'Antigone' centres on stubbornness in the context of sticking up for what's 'right', and thinking of the bigger picture.
Since studying this play at ~15 years old, one line has stuck with me, and I genuinely think about it all the time. To paraphrase, "I would not sacrifice myself to bury my husband or child, because I can get new ones, but I cannot get another brother". Something about this speech and it's context in the narrative is so haunting, and is such a stand out point in the play for me.

I had never read 'Oedipus at Colonus' before this, despite having intensely studied the first two plays in the cycle. It provides an interesting contrast to the other two in terms of setting and content; the pacing is quite different and the stakes a bit lower, but it gives a unique look into familial relationships, and it's position within the overall story fills in the narrative gap nicely.

I can't really say enough about how fascinating these plays are in raising issues of fate, free will, and life itself:

"Then learn that mortal man must always look to his ending, and none can be called happy until that day when he carries his happiness down to the grave in peace."

[Sharon]

I'd heard the stories long ago. I thought it smart to present the three in essentially chronological order. The translation is very readable. Most people are familiar with the story of Oedipus who killed his father and married his mother. The second play covers Oedipus' exile to Thebes and final demise. Antigone in the third part, mourns the death of her brothers and is banished by Creon for disobeying his command not to bury him. Being a tragedy, most of the main characters end up dead.

[Tom Greentree]

Of happiness the crown
And chiefest part
Is wisdom, and to hold
The gods in awe.
This is the law
That, seeing the stricken heart
Of pride brought down,
We learn when we are old. (Final Chorus, Antigone)

[Larkin Gallup]

If Creon has no haters I'm dead.

[mia!!]

this was buns tee bee aitch

[Marisa]

Read 2/3. Feels wrong to review Greek tragedies, but wow what an unlucky lot.

[Naim]

'O God, what wilt thou do to me!'
A readable translation.