Antigone: A Norton Critical Edition

by Sophocles, Sheila Murnaghan (editor)

“Murnaghan has rendered Sophocles’ notoriously thorny verse into a text that pulsates with intimacy and immediacy without sacrificing power and nuance, creating a translation that will remain fresh for a very long time. The accompanying material is so thoughtfully curated that the volume as a whole serves as a full introductory course to this extraordinary play and its outsized cultural impact.” —Ella Haselswerdt, University of California, Los Angeles


This Norton Critical Edition



Sheila Murnaghan’s celebrated new translation of Sophocles’ famed Greek tragedy depicting the deadly conflict between Antigone—daughter of Oedipus—and her uncle Creon, the unyielding new ruler of Thebes.
A full introduction exploring the themes and performance history of the play, a detailed note on the translation, and explanatory annotations by Sheila Murnaghan.
In “Contexts,” ancient sources translated by Sheila Murnaghan that provide cultural backgrounds and are accompanied by modern perspectives.
In “Criticism,” essays on the themes of the play, including perspectives on gender relations, Athenian political institutions, and the legacy of the play in modern adaptations.
A chronology and a selected bibliography.

Genres: Classics

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2023

About the author

Sophocles (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.

Reviews

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an icon

[Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a comedy btw

[Daniel Campos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fluid contemporary translation of Sophocles' classic -- ever a timely piece on principled resistance to injustice and the relation between justice and law. I always relate this play to Thoreau's "Resistance to Civil Government."

[Arthur Drury · Rating 1 out of 5]

Big disappointment. Not much of a resource for learning about the play, Sophocles, or Greek tragedy. I guess Norton Critical Editions just aren't what they used to be.

[Kemal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a classic for a good reason. The Norton Critical Edition adds valuable insight.

[katelyn ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

all the men in my class hate antigone - MISOGYNISTS!! antigone I would have done tons of coke with you and kept you alive forever