A review by ind24
Oedipus the King by Sophocles

dark informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

"Mortality is man’s burden. Keep your eyes fixed on your last day.

Call no man happy until he reaches it, and finds rest from suffering." 

Sophocles' Oedipus Rex is a heartbreaking ancient tale of angst and calamity. The second I downed the first page I could recognize why it was Aristotle’s favorite play. The piece is very masterfully crafted and the characters are consistent from start to finish.

One of the initial thoughts I had after reading this was the fact that in a way all of Oedipus’ actions could be traced back to an incident of road rage at an intersection where three roads. How trivial I thought but then I realized that the word trivial can be traced back to the Latin noun trivium, meaning "a place where three roads meet." The Latin word was made from tri-, meaning "three," and via "way, road." The adjective form of trivium was trivialis. I don’t know, it’s just so funny to me how words originate. 

Although I knew of the story, (it’s hard not to, I believe the story of Oedipus and Jocasta is one of those tales that's been residing in our collective consciousness forever) I was thoroughly moved by the events that unfold on the pages of this book. Oedipus’ plight was so catastrophic, so larger than life. You cannot help but feel pity for this protagonist. To read his story is to feel his pain and sorrow. Moreover, it would be remiss not to appreciate the brilliance in the construction of the narrative that leaves the audience in awe. There is a certain sense of elegance in the words employed. The language seems huge and torrential which is pertinent to the colossal tragedy it attempts to describe to its readers. A classic with a capital C for a reason. 

“How dreadful the knowledge of the truth can be. When there’s no help in truth.”