Oedipus at Colonus
Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles, published by the University of Wisconsin Press in 2014, is a significant work in the realm of ancient drama, spanning 100 pages. This play is the third in Sophocles’ trilogy about the renowned king of Thebes and his troubled family. It explores the mysterious death of Oedipus, who is transformed into an immortal figure that protects Athens. The edition features a translation by David Mulroy, who provides an introduction and notes that enhance the reader’s comprehension of Oedipus’ character and the political context of Athens during Sophocles’ lifetime.
Readers will find that Oedipus at Colonus presents a complex examination of tragedy, while also critiquing Athenian democracy and offering a nuanced perspective on personal immortality. Mulroy’s translation employs iambic pentameter for spoken passages and short rhymed stanzas for choral songs, making the text both accessible and engaging. This edition serves as a valuable resource for those interested in ancient Greek literature, drama, and literary criticism, providing insights into the historical and cultural backdrop of the time.
Official synopsis Publisher
Oedipus at Colonus is the third in Sophocles’ trilogy of plays about the famous king of Thebes and his unhappy family. It dramatizes the mysterious death of Oedipus, by which he is transformed into an immortal hero protecting Athens. This was Sophocles’ final play, written in his mid-eighties and produced posthumously. Translator David Mulroy’s introduction and notes deepen the reader’s understanding of Oedipus’ character and the real political tumult that was shaking Athens at the time that Sophocles wrote the play. Oedipus at Colonus is at once a complex study of a tragic character, an indictment of Athenian democracy, and a subtle endorsement of hope for personal immortality.
As in his previous translations of Oedipus Rex and Antigone, Mulroy combines scrupulous scholarship and textual accuracy with a fresh poetic style. He uses iambic pentameter for spoken passages and short rhymed stanzas for choral songs, resulting in a text that is accessible and fun to read and perform.
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