Sophocles: Antigone and Oedipus the King: A Companion to the Penguin Translation

by John Wilkins, Matthew Macleod

These two Greek tragedies need no introduction. Their power, riches and influence are immense. All the more reason, therefore, for a volume that can steer the reader through the Penguin translation by Robert Fagles, in which form these masterpieces have reached a far wider audience than Sophocles' original Greek. John Wilkins' Companion to the "Antigone" and Matthew Macleod's to "Oedipus the King", together with an introduction discussing Sophocles and Attic tragedy, provide a valuable tool for the teacher, pupil or general reader.

116 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1991

About the author

John Wilkins, FRS (14 February 1614–19 November 1672) was an Anglican clergyman, natural philosopher and author, and was one of the founders of the Royal Society. He was Bishop of Chester from 1668 until his death.

Wilkins is one of the few persons to have headed a college at both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. He was a polymath, although not one of the most important scientific innovators of the period. His personal qualities were brought out, and obvious to his contemporaries, in reducing political tension in Interregnum Oxford, in founding the Royal Society on non-partisan lines, and in efforts to reach out to religious nonconformists. He was one of the founders of the new natural theology compatible with the science of the time. He is particularly known for An Essay towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language (1668) in which, amongst other things, he proposed a universal language and an integrated system of measurement, similar to the metric system.

Wilkins lived in a period of great political and religious controversy, yet managed to remain on working terms with men of all political stripes; he was key in setting the Church of England on the path toward comprehension for as many sects as possible, "and toleration for the rest". Gilbert Burnet called him "the wisest clergyman I ever knew. He was a lover of mankind, and had a delight in doing good."

His stepdaughter married John Tillotson, who became Archbishop of Canterbury.

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I was really enjoying Oedipus up until the end. Even though the story was a bit gruesome, the language was beautiful. I was really shocked by this because I absolutely hated Antigone- it seemed way too short and just inadequate in almost every sense. But Oedipus seemed really vibrant and alive with some kind of passion .... until I got to the end and wanted to kill Oedipus myself because of how annoying he was. I would explain this in more detail but I guess I shouldn't give away the ending...