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    Oedipus at Colonus
    Oedipus at Colonus
    Oedipus at Colonus
    Ebook73 pages53 minutes

    Oedipus at Colonus

    By Sophocles

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Perhaps the most philosophical of the three Theban plays, "Oedipus at Colonus" continues the story begun in "Oedipus the King." Oedipus is a blind beggar, tainted by his past, and nearing the end of his life. He travels with his daughter, Antigone, until they reach the holy ground of the Furies, which coincides with the prophecy of his place of death. There he is sought after by the warring kings of Athens and Thebes, for his final resting place will grant victory and peace to the country in which his body will reside. Written in the final year of Sophocles' life, this play addresses morality and guilt, fate, and the inexplicable and heroic transformation of a man who perseveres through a difficult life.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDigireads.com Publishing
    Release dateJan 1, 2010
    ISBN9781420909043
    Author

    Sophocles

    Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than or contemporary with those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides.

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    Reviews for Oedipus at Colonus

    3.5/5

    169 ratings9 reviews

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    • 2/5
      This play is not as interesting as the others in the Oedipus cycle. It concerns the period immediately preceding Antigone, and is very talky, with many of the long speeches adding little to the information or entertainment value. The play would be a total wash for anyone not familiar with Oedipus the King or the myth in general; though it does discuss the tragedy, it doesn't fulfill expectations in any way. Primarily interesting as a piece of theatrical history.
    • 5/5
      As enchanting and vivid as Oidipous Tyrannos and I'm tempted to say I like it even better if only because it ends with a vision of peace, or at least of Oedipus finding peace while all around him slides into war. I was impressed with his little rationalizations over the years--he has learned the humility of the outcast, and yet he's still gone from seeing how his parricide at the crossroads was a result of hubris to telling himself it was self-defence so long he believes it. I liked how Creon's arc went from superficially principled at the start of the first play, organically, to bad dude by the end of this one. And the sweetness of the daughters that had barely known a time when their father wasn't a monster, that had just known no other way to love him, as compared to the sons who never got over losing dickhead dad to sick humiliation and turned into bastards themselves. There are a lot of great character arcs that emerge across the two plays that wouldn't be evident from this one alone--Theseus's being the only exception, although he's good too; I'm not sure quite how the play made him seem legit wise and not some instructive cardboard of the good hero king--and that's why it's such a shame that they're separate works, each less than the whole of which they make up the parts. The Aristotelian unities seem increasingly unmotivated, arbitrary, artificial.
    • 1/5
      I understand that this trilogy is a classic, and has stood for over two thousand years. There are some real questions proposed by Oedipus and Theseus that are worth thinking about. However, Sophocles' work seems to ramble on - carried by frequent dialogue from 'the Chorus.' This reduces the effectiveness of the message, and makes it hard to follow in general. A reliance upon the mass protestations of the public (the Chorus) seems like an easy way to push plot along without developing characters, in my opinion.
    • 4/5
      This is the second (in logical order) play in the Oedipus trilogy (actually, each play stands by itself) about a doomed family. This play is much about the journey through life and its end. The Oxford Press edition is a highly readable translation with helpful notes and glossary.
    • 2/5
      This play is not as interesting as the others in the Oedipus cycle. It concerns the period immediately preceding Antigone, and is very talky, with many of the long speeches adding little to the information or entertainment value. The play would be a total wash for anyone not familiar with Oedipus the King or the myth in general; though it does discuss the tragedy, it doesn't fulfill expectations in any way. Primarily interesting as a piece of theatrical history.
    • 3/5
      Perhaps 3½ stars for the play but not in this translation. Storrs translated the ancient Greek as if he was trying to write like an Elizabethan. I have enough trouble understanding the Elizabethans when their native tongue was English!I don't think that this play is as good (strong, powerful) as the other two Oedipus plays. However, this middle play of Sophocles' trilogy provides an important bridge between the more powerful first (Oedipus Rex) and last (Antigone) plays. It concludes the action of Oedipus Rex and sets the scene for the action in Antigone. Those two can of course stand on their own, but this play does flesh out the overarching story.
    • 3/5
      This is Sophocles' last written play, though the second in his Theban plays sequence. It chronicles Oedipus and Antigone's exile, though it is very heavy on chorus and monologue. I found it interesting as a set of ideas, but not so much as a play.
    • 4/5
      Many incredible moments and speeches in this play - not at least the last final "farewell" from Oedipus
    • 3/5
      A straightforward romp, the second in The Oedipus Cycle, detailing the journey-- both internal and external, that Oedipus makes. It was entertaining and there were many good passages and lines to behold. Nevertheless, it came off as a little basic but that might be part of its charm.3 stars!

    Book preview

    Oedipus at Colonus - Sophocles

    OEDIPUS AT COLONUS

    BY SOPHOCLES

    TRANSLATED BY FRANCIS STORR

    A Digireads.com Book

    Digireads.com Publishing

    Print ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-3313-0

    Ebook ISBN 13: 978-1-4209-0904-3

    This edition copyright © 2012

    Please visit www.digireads.com

    CONTENTS

    OEDIPUS AT COLONUS

    ARGUMENT

    DRAMATIS PERSONAE

    OEDIPUS AT COLONUS

    OEDIPUS AT COLONUS

    ARGUMENT

    Oedipus, the blind and banished King of Thebes, has come in his wanderings to Colonus, a deme of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone. He sits to rest on a rock just within a sacred grove of the Furies and is bidden depart by a passing native. But Oedipus, instructed by an oracle that he had reached his final resting-place, refuses to stir, and the stranger consents to go and consult the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus of the Play). Conducted to the spot they pity at first the blind beggar and his daughter, but on learning his name they are horror-stricken and order him to quit the land. He appeals to the world-famed hospitality of Athens and hints at the blessings that his coming will confer on the State. They agree to await the decision of King Theseus. From Theseus Oedipus craves protection in life and burial in Attic soil; the benefits that will accrue shall be told later. Theseus departs having promised to aid and befriend him. No sooner has he gone than Creon enters with an armed guard who seize Antigone and carry her off (Ismene, the other sister, they have already captured) and he is about to lay hands on Oedipus, when Theseus, who has heard the tumult, hurries up and, upbraiding Creon for his lawless act, threatens to detain him till he has shown where the captives are and restored them. In the next scene Theseus returns bringing with him the rescued maidens. He informs Oedipus that a stranger who has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon wishes to see him. It is Polyneices who has come to crave his father's forgiveness and blessing, knowing by an oracle that victory will fall to the side that Oedipus espouses. But Oedipus spurns the hypocrite, and invokes a dire curse on both his unnatural sons. A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as peal follows peal, Oedipus is aware that his hour is come and bids Antigone summon Theseus. Self-guided he leads the way to the spot where death should overtake him, attended by Theseus and his daughters. Halfway he bids his daughters farewell, and what followed none but Theseus knew. He was not (so the Messenger reports) for the gods took him.

    DRAMATIS PERSONAE

    OEDIPUS, banished King of Thebes.

    ANTIGONE, his daughter.

    ISMENE, his daughter.

    THESEUS, King of Athens.

    CREON, brother of Jocasta, now reigning at Thebes.

    POLYNEICES, elder son of Oedipus.

    STRANGER, a native of Colonus.

    MESSENGER, an attendant of Theseus.

    CHORUS, citizens of Colonus.

    SCENE: In front of the grove of the Eumenides.

    OEDIPUS AT COLONUS

    [Enter the blind OEDIPUS led by his daughter, ANTIGONE.]

    OEDIPUS. Child of an old blind sire, Antigone,

    What region, say, whose city have we reached?

    Who will provide today with scanted dole

    This wanderer? 'Tis little that he craves,

    And less obtains—that less enough for me;

    For I am taught by suffering to endure,

    And the long years that have grown old with me,

    And last not least, by true nobility.

    My daughter, if thou seest a resting place

    On common ground or by some sacred grove,

    Stay me and set me down. Let us discover

    Where we have come, for strangers must inquire

    Of denizens, and do as they are bid.

    ANTIGONE. Long-suffering father, Oedipus, the towers

    That fence the city still are faint and far;

    But where we stand is surely holy ground;

    A wilderness of laurel, olive, vine;

    Within a choir or songster nightingales

    Are warbling. On this native seat of rock

    Rest; for an old man thou hast traveled far.

    OEDIPUS. Guide these dark steps and seat me there secure.

    ANTIGONE. If time can teach, I need not to be told.

    OEDIPUS. Say, prithee, if thou knowest, where we are.

    ANTIGONE. Athens I recognize, but not the spot.

    OEDIPUS. That much we heard from every wayfarer.

    ANTIGONE. Shall I go on and ask about the place?

    OEDIPUS. Yes, daughter, if it be inhabited.

    ANTIGONE. Sure there are

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