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christianholub's review against another edition
3.0
Read this for a class on tragedy. My professor's interpretation is that the whole thing is a critique of dynastic rule, that the horrible things that happen to Oedipus' family are a representation of the self-destruction inherent in tying the existence of a state in with the rule of a single family. Pretty fascinating.
Also, beware the Sphinx's riddle. It is everywhere in these plays
Also, beware the Sphinx's riddle. It is everywhere in these plays
ingridluver's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"The gods do not praise Antigone, nor does anyone else in the play - except a young man who loves her so passionately that he cannot bear to live without her."
Ismene: How can I live alone, without her?
"The last play is still tragic in its outcome - Oedipus dies, Polynices and Antigone are doomed - but in it, for one man and for one moment, the silent gods speak, and the gulf between human and divine is bridged."
Antigone: O you wanted to die on foreign soil, but so alone, so desolate - why not in my arms?
sofia72's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
z9e's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
dw33p's review against another edition
5.0
I think I really do enjoy reading plays lol. I love them actually.
s_books's review against another edition
3.25
This E.F. Watling translation is a pretty decent translation of Sophocles' Oedipus trilogy/The Theban Plays. I'd years ago read a different translation and had a hard time getting through that one but these one seems pretty good. For all that, the most famous of the three plays, Oedipus Rex (or King Oedipus as it's titled in this edition) actually seems to be the worst of the three; there are parts where the dialogue seems overblown and full of bluster, taking longer than necessary to reach the conclusion that most people (and the original audience) already would have known to be coming. Antigone is pretty good although, as we'd never seen Antigone's betrothed before he enters the scene, his storyline doesn't feel as moving as it could be if we'd known they were engaged prior. Oedipus at Colonus is also pretty good; it falls between the two plays in quality as well as storyline (more blustery than Antigone but not near as blustery as Oedipus Rex, likewise more succinct than Oedipus Rex but not as succinct as Antigone) though it was written last.
kenzicat's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
redheadreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
First time reading Oedipus the King and absolutely LOVED it - the tragedy!! The drama!! Had read Antigone before but a different translation so it was enjoyable to try a different one and compare from memory. She's such an intriguing figure! Oedipus at Colonus was the weakest of the three for me but I did enjoy it - I feel like it screams Athenian propaganda though?? The journey Creon goes on in this too - unfairly accused by Oedipus in Oedipus the King to becoming positively villainous in Oedipus in Colonus, then having his own tragic downfall in Antigone... truly, everyone is having an awful time.