Four Tragedies by Sophocles. (Hackett Pub Co,2007) [Paperback]

by Sophocles

Unknown Binding

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

[Erik Rostad · Rating 5 out of 5]

These plays are stunning. I mostly went in knowing the general outlines of the stories but would still be regularly surprised. These tragedy plays introduce some difficult questions about justice, loyalty, and fate. Sophocles has 7 remaining plays. Three are part of the Theban Plays (Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus) and these are the other four (Ajax, Women of Trachis, Electra, Philoctetes). I highly recommend reading all seven.

[Jonë · Rating 4 out of 5]

The translation is very modern and I am not sure what to make of it. About the plays themselves it can be said that Sophocles, in comparison to Homer for example, is very aware that women are humans too. Now, that may seem uninteresting to you but when you compare the depiction of women to other ancient Greeks Sophocles almost reads as feminist. I enjoyed Elektra the most.

The language, because it is so modern, reads odd sometimes and I think also unintentionally funny. I am very divided on whether I like it more than older translations. Because on the one hand it is important for language to portray the time that this play was written, translation or not. But on the other hand I guess Sophocles would have appreciated a modern translation because to the Ancient Greeks his language was actually modern. So that tracks I suppose. Anyway, I also really liked the notes and comments made on the text, even though I am not a fan of the way they are included in the text.

In general I would recommend to everyone to read several different translations of Ancient Greek texts just because it actually really helps you to get closer to the text.