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xole's review against another edition
3.0
Look, I really like Mulroy’s translations, but this is such an opaque play. There are little hints of an interesting plot there (the start of Seven Against Thebes, basically), but it’s like Sophocles is trying to make a very different point. Oedipus just isn’t an interesting enough character to carry a whole play.
josiahdegraaf's review against another edition
3.0
Oedipus at Colonus is an interesting play. Its chronologically sandwiched between two of the greatest Greek tragedies (Oedipus Rex & Antigone)--but it was also the last play written in this Theban trio. Oedipus Rex & Antigone are packed-full of action--but on the outset, little happens in Oedipus at Colonus, leading it to be forgotten and much-less studied compared with its more interesting counterparts.
While I understand its relative lack of popularity, however, I was glad to have read this center play. As Oedipus rages against the gods, questions why he's guilty for actions he committed unwillingly, and grapples with the nature of human futility, I was moved. More than any of the other plays, whether Sophocles means to or not (probably unintentional on his part), the capriciousness of the Greek gods and their punishment of Oedipus can really be felt here. The agonies of an unjust moral system are clearly displayed. And the triumph of Oedipus at the play's end feels earned.
There is much less to discuss with this work as its counterparts. But as a Christian, out of the three Theban plays, this perhaps best shows me the nature of the world Christ entered into and the pressingness of mankind's need for a Savior.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Good).
While I understand its relative lack of popularity, however, I was glad to have read this center play. As Oedipus rages against the gods, questions why he's guilty for actions he committed unwillingly, and grapples with the nature of human futility, I was moved. More than any of the other plays, whether Sophocles means to or not (probably unintentional on his part), the capriciousness of the Greek gods and their punishment of Oedipus can really be felt here. The agonies of an unjust moral system are clearly displayed. And the triumph of Oedipus at the play's end feels earned.
There is much less to discuss with this work as its counterparts. But as a Christian, out of the three Theban plays, this perhaps best shows me the nature of the world Christ entered into and the pressingness of mankind's need for a Savior.
Rating: 3.5 Stars (Good).
blueyorkie's review against another edition
4.0
It was read before the wise men of Athens by the old Sophocles himself, very old and whose children, these raptors, wanted to question his intellectual faculties to seize the management of his goods.
Superbly, the old playwright, by way of pleading, only read, it is said, his tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus, the last of his plays, which has as its subject the apotheosis of an exile. And a cursed Oedipus, who finally gains rest on the threshold of his life and regains lost grandeur and glory.
That alone would inspire respect, but respect for Oedipus at Colonus is not enough: you must also love this magnificent tragedy! And how strong are the reasons for loving him!
In no other tragedy is the Greek landscape, cities, sanctuaries and temples so intensely present.
Oedipus ran around the world, chased everywhere, after his incest and involuntary parricide. Only the little Antigone with a dark destiny accompanied him. She is his eyes, which he put out to punish himself; she is his stick of old age. And now they are both at the gates of Athens, a young city then governed by a young king, still unknown. His name is Theseus. In the Athens suburbs, there is a sanctuary, forbidden to any incursion by the fierce law of the Erynnies. No one would dare set foot there.
Not Oedipus: he enters. He knows that it is there that the gods, finally appeased, will carry him off and remove him far from the hateful or horrified gazes of men. He feels that it is there that he will eventually find peace, that of death, which is limitless.
The places are of exceptional strength: we see the sanctuary. We see through the eyes of the messenger the apotheosis of Oedipus in a tremendous clap of thunder.
The characters also have a seriousness, a strange aura: Oedipus, Antigone, and Theseus legendary beings, whose true mythical greatness is measured here by comparison with the too human smallness of an Ismene, a Polynice, or even of a Creon.
The third reason to love Oedipus at Colonus resides in a language overwhelming with strength, and purity, almost detached from all contingencies, ethereal and yet profound like Greek wisdom.
Oedipus at Colonus is a poetic and inspired song throughout almost no more rupture between episodes and stasima - the alternating action and choral singing phases of Greek tragedy.
A swan song to be read and reread. And for the Hellenists, in the text, so wonderful is the language.
Superbly, the old playwright, by way of pleading, only read, it is said, his tragedy, Oedipus at Colonus, the last of his plays, which has as its subject the apotheosis of an exile. And a cursed Oedipus, who finally gains rest on the threshold of his life and regains lost grandeur and glory.
That alone would inspire respect, but respect for Oedipus at Colonus is not enough: you must also love this magnificent tragedy! And how strong are the reasons for loving him!
In no other tragedy is the Greek landscape, cities, sanctuaries and temples so intensely present.
Oedipus ran around the world, chased everywhere, after his incest and involuntary parricide. Only the little Antigone with a dark destiny accompanied him. She is his eyes, which he put out to punish himself; she is his stick of old age. And now they are both at the gates of Athens, a young city then governed by a young king, still unknown. His name is Theseus. In the Athens suburbs, there is a sanctuary, forbidden to any incursion by the fierce law of the Erynnies. No one would dare set foot there.
Not Oedipus: he enters. He knows that it is there that the gods, finally appeased, will carry him off and remove him far from the hateful or horrified gazes of men. He feels that it is there that he will eventually find peace, that of death, which is limitless.
The places are of exceptional strength: we see the sanctuary. We see through the eyes of the messenger the apotheosis of Oedipus in a tremendous clap of thunder.
The characters also have a seriousness, a strange aura: Oedipus, Antigone, and Theseus legendary beings, whose true mythical greatness is measured here by comparison with the too human smallness of an Ismene, a Polynice, or even of a Creon.
The third reason to love Oedipus at Colonus resides in a language overwhelming with strength, and purity, almost detached from all contingencies, ethereal and yet profound like Greek wisdom.
Oedipus at Colonus is a poetic and inspired song throughout almost no more rupture between episodes and stasima - the alternating action and choral singing phases of Greek tragedy.
A swan song to be read and reread. And for the Hellenists, in the text, so wonderful is the language.
rikke_bay's review against another edition
2.0
I understand why this is not nearly as famous as the other two. A very weak storyline and generally didn't feel like a tragic play.
mariagxmez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
holtfan's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of interesting themes here. Though Sophocles throws in "action scenes" with Antigone and her sister getting kidnapping, Oedipus's sons going to war, etc. it all takes place off-stage. The real drama centers on Oedipus's arguments about guilt and innocence and his desire to meet his final fate and finish Apollo's prophecy. Sure, Oedipus killed his father and slept with his mother. But, he declares himself innocent because he did not know. The gods conspired against him. And because he considers himself innocent, he feels indignation at his native city for driving him away. He won't forgive them, not even his own sons.
Theseus (of Minotaur fame) also plays an important role in the story as a faithful host. In my groundless opinion, this was probably a totally awesome crossover. At least, it made me happy.
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While not as memorable as the drastic Oedipus Rex or moving as Antigone, I found this book quite wise in its own way. You might argue it has more depth than those two, because it looks past the horrors of the moment to how someone would move forward. It reminded me a little of Job.
Theseus (of Minotaur fame) also plays an important role in the story as a faithful host. In my groundless opinion, this was probably a totally awesome crossover. At least, it made me happy.
While not as memorable as the drastic Oedipus Rex or moving as Antigone, I found this book quite wise in its own way. You might argue it has more depth than those two, because it looks past the horrors of the moment to how someone would move forward. It reminded me a little of Job.
ivite's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lexi_con's review against another edition
4.0
“I never knew how great the loss could be even of sadness; there was a sort of joy in sorrow, when he was at my side. Father my love...we two shall love you forever.” - Antigone
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
stephmostav's review against another edition
4.0
Édipo em Colono não chega ao nível de excelência de Édipo Rei, mas não deixa de ser muito bom. A segunda peça da trilogia Tebana é muito mais pessimista e acompanha Édipo ao fim de sua vida, guiado por suas filhas e abandonado por seus filhos, que estão cegos pela ganância enquanto lutam pelo trono. Aqui, não há um grande conflito que conduz toda a história numa sequência trágica e natural, e sim um drama basicamente episódico, que se sustenta no carisma de Édipo e nas relações que ele mantém com Antígona e Teseu, dois personagens fundamentais em seus papéis, além do antagonismo que persiste contra Creonte. Meus trechos preferidos são o embate de Teseu com Creonte e de Édipo com Polinices, seu primogênito, pela força dos diálogos de Sófocles. Seus personagens nos soam muito vivos e é possível reconhecê-los mesmo sem os indicativos de quem fala. Apesar do apelo aos deuses e ao fantástico desde o início, Édipo em Colono também é, em grande parte, um drama humano de um pai negligenciado por quem deveria cuidá-lo e vítima dos interesses mesquinhos de seu cunhado. Que venha Antígona!