The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles, translated by Robert Fagles (Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus)

Classic. Play. Tragedy. Family. War. Death. 

Rating: 4/5

Pages: 388

Started: 20 May 2024

Finished: 11 June 2024

Summary:

    Antigone, a faithful sister and a faithful subject, is caught between the need to bury her dead brother and her king's wishes that no burial take place. In attempting to escape his prophesied fate of killing his father and marrying his mother, King Oedipus plays directly into the prophecy. Old, decrepit, and blind, the formerly glorious Oedipus relies on his daughters and scorns his previously unfaithful sons as he moves closer and closer to his glorious death. 

Thoughts:

    These plays are very old; these plays are still so applicable today. They were engaging and interesting to read, the characters felt realistic and dynamic, and the tragedies themselves were really frustrating and sad. Knowing Oedipus is playing directly into his feared prophecy is hard to read, and although obviously the story can't be changed, I have to imagine I am one in a long line of readers (and watchers) who spend the entire play desperately hoping Oedipus will be able to escape his fate this time. Antigone is similarly frustrating, especially the scenes depicting King Creon's pigheadedness that leads to so much death. But the most touching play was definitely the third; the descriptions of Oedipus's death at the end of the third play were so touching. It's really impressive how Sophocles managed to get such grandeur and godly power across with just the chorus's narration. 

    I also think it's fascinating how these three plays represent three different types of tragedy. Antigone demonstrates the tragedy of a character torn between two opposing moral codes, and the suffering because of that dissonance. Oedipus Rex shows the tragedy of being unable to escape fate, and makes incredible use of irony. And, arguably, Oedipus at Colonus is an example of the tragedy of the fall of a great man. (The three plays are all very, very tragic). 

    It was so fun to re-read Antigone, which I last read my sophomore year of high school, and to read the other plays as well, and it's so interesting to see firsthand the continued applicability and relatability of ancient stories.