A review by holtfan
Oedipus at Colonus, by Sophocles

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.



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.