The Three Theban Plays[3 THEBAN PLAYS SCHOOL & LIBRAR][Prebound]

by Sophocles

The Three Theban Plays <> Prebound <> Sophocles <> TurtlebackBooks

Genres: Classics

Hardcover

Published February 29, 1984

About the author

Sophocles (497/496 BC-406/405 BC), (Greek: Σοφοκλής ; German: Sophokles , Russian: Софокл , French: Sophocle , Catalan: Sòfocles ) 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.

Reviews

[Pat Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goated.

[Theresa]

This was the second time I read Antingone - the first being in high-school - and I enjoyed it then, but really enjoyed it the second time. She is so passionate! It's hard not to feel it.

Oedipus the King I also enjoyed very much - so much drama and emotion that made it hard not to be engaged with. As I read most of this out loud, I couldn't help but get exciteable.

Oedipus at Colonus was my least favorite of the three. In both plays, we as the audience already know the characters' fates, having read Antigone, but with Oedipus the King, the audience know the characters' fate before they do - which makes it more interesting because you watch them go to their doom unwittingly, feel the tension as they come closer to the truth, and can witness the particulars of how it all unfolds. In Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus already knows his fate and his sons' and Thebes' - he predicts it all. There's not the same tension and because of that, I found it to be less dramatic and a bit more boring. The scene where Oedipus said goodbye to his daughters though did make me tear up though.

So overall, I really enjoyed the three plays, which besides Antigone because I read it before, I was doubtful I would. The Greeks sure knew how to write a good drama.

[Auguste Meyrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to ancient Greek tragedies, Sophocles sets the standard. All three of these plays are readable and somehow stay fresh throughout the millennia. I think I've finally reached an age where Oedipus at Colonus actually resonates, though the story of an old blind beggar king becoming a kingmaker and divine person is still a tad strange. Antigone has many layers: is a conflict between politics and religion, a depressed young woman at the end of her tether, or a dynasty caught up in a doom loop? Of course, the centerpiece is Oedipus the King, where one can't help but sympathize with Oedipus who is both a victim of fate, but still active and free in his pursuit of the horrible truth.

Contrast this with Aeschylus' Oresteia which traffics in mystery cult hogwash, where nothing much actually happens and the moral is clear: Clytemnestra is terrible, the furies must be placated, and Orestes had to avenge his crappy father and spiritually purge his kingdom. Couple this with the cryptic and the idea of "suffering into truth" and you're wading into turgid tragic waters, which can feel tedious and dull much of the time.

Fagles's translation is clear and crisp, and Bernard Knox's introductory essays are appropriate. He is able to explain the ideas at play and give a proper context to understanding the plays. He is conservative in his analysis, not over-relying on trendy critical techniques (the introductory essay to the Oresteia was an interminable Freudian slog), but working through the text as it is and resisting over-speculation--though I'd maintain that Antigone was weirdly obsessed with her brother and that good ol' fashion incest played a role in her martyrdom.

Overall, the Theban plays hold up pretty well and this is a great edition for modern readers.

[Christopher Smol · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my humble opinion, plays have gotten better since. More special effects and whatnot.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to rate something so horrifying yet so paradigm-setting for literature to follow. The Greeks really knew how to layer nightmares. Brilliant and haunting.