Sophocles: Antigone and other Tragedies: Antigone, Deianeira, Electra

One of the greatest dramatists of all time, Sophocles, wrote three tragedies that explore the extremes of human suffering and emotion. These tragedies, Antigone, Creon, and Electra, portray the pains, distortions, and instabilities of Sophoclean tragedy but do not deteriorate into cacophony or disgust. The verse translations convey the vitality of Sophocles' poetry and the vigor of the plays in performance, doing justice to both the sound of the poetry and the theatricality of the tragedies. Antigone is an icon of Greek tragedy, and Deianeira and Electra are tragic icons in world theatre.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 29 September 2020
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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Sophocles, a towering figure in the realm of drama, stands as one of the most revered and influential artists of all time. His plays, characterized by their profound depth and unsettling unpredictability, relentlessly explore the complexities of human existence, refusing to provide definitive answers or seek redemption for the ways of gods. Within these three tragedies, Sophocles vividly portrays the extremes of human suffering and emotion, transforming heroic myths into supreme works of poetry and dramatic action.

Antigone's unwavering obsession with the dead, Creon's rigid inflexibility, Deianeira's jealous desperation, the injustice witnessed by Hyllus, Electra's relentless vindictiveness, and the looming threat of insoluble dynastic contamination are just a few of the pains and distortions that permeate Sophoclean tragedy. Yet, these profound themes do not succumb to cacophony, disgust, incoherence, or silence. Instead, they confront the music, transmuting the suffering into a coherent and harmonious symphony of poetry and drama.

These exceptional verse translations, meticulously crafted by the author, capture the essence of Sophocles' poetry and the vitality of the plays in performance. They honor both the melodic sound of the poetry and the theatricality of the tragedies, ensuring that Sophocles' profound words resonate with readers and audiences alike. Each play is accompanied by an insightful introduction and comprehensive notes that delve into topographical and mythical references, offering valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of the plays.

Antigone, a revered icon of Greek tragedy, stands as a tragic figure in the world of theater. Sophocles' most celebrated and widely performed play tells the story of defiant defiance, encapsulating the impossible demands of loyalty. Deianeira, also known as Women of Trachis or Trachinaian Women, delves into the anxieties of matrimony and motherhood, following the tragic attempt by the wife of the hero Heracles to assert her dignity. Electra, another masterpiece by Sophocles, portrays a vengeful woman driven by her thirst for retribution, as she orchestrates the murder of her mother and brother to exact revenge on their killers.

In conclusion, Sophocles' profound and enduring legacy lies in his ability to delve into the depths of human existence, challenging societal norms and exploring the complexities of morality. Through his three tragedies, he has created timeless works of art that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, reminding us of the enduring power of poetry, drama, and the human spirit.

\n Weight: 440g\n
Dimension: 144 x 223 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780199286249\n \n