Oedipus the King and Other Tragedies

Description

This original and distinctive verse translation of four of Sophocles' plays conveys the vitality of his poetry and the vigour of the plays as performed showpieces, encouraging the reader to relish the sound of the spoken verse and the potential for song within the lyrics.

• A major new verse translation of four of Sophocles' great tragedies
• The volume brings together Sophocles' four plays with male protagonists
• Oliver Taplin's translation encourages the reader to hear the sound of the spoken words, and to relish the potential for song within the lyrics
• The volume includes individual introductions to each of the plays, a general introduction to Sophocles and Greek theatre, and substantial notes on meaning, mythical references, aspects of performance, and cultural context
• Up-to-date bibliography

About the Author(s)

Sophocles

Oliver Taplin retired in 2008 from being a Professor of Classics at the University of Oxford and, for thirty-five years, Tutorial Fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford. The leading recurrent theme of his work has been the reception of poetry and drama through performance and material culture, in both ancient and modern times. As well as his academic work, he has been involved in broadcasting and theatre, both within and beyond the UK. Productions on which he has collaborated include the Oresteia (1981-2, dir. Peter Hall), The Thebans (1992, dir. Adrian Noble), the Oresteia (1999-2000, dir. Katie Mitchell), and Swallow Song (2004 and 2006 dir. Lydia Koniordou).

Sophocles, born in the 490s BC, was a leading ancient Greek dramatist who composed as many as 120 plays in his long lifetime, although only seven survive. He entered and won many of the dramatic competitions held in honour of Dionysus, and was also a prominent public figure in the Athens of his day.

Table of Contents

The Priorities of this Translation
Introduction to Sophocles and Greek Tragic Theatre
Note on Text, Spellings, Stage Directions, etc.
List of Maps
Oedipus the King
Introduction
Translation
Aias
Introduction
Translation
Philoctetes
Introduction
Translation
Oedipus at Colonus
Introduction
Translation
Notes
Select Biblography