The heroic Greek dramas that have moved theatergoers and readers since the fifth century B.C.
Towering over the rest of Greek tragedy, the three plays that tell the story of the fated Theban royal family-Antigone, Oedipus the KingandOedipus at Colonus-are among the most enduring and timeless dramas ever written. Robert Fagles's authoritative and acclaimed translation conveys all of Sophocles's lucidity and power- the cut and thrust of his dialogue, his ironic edge, the surge and majesty of his choruses and, above all, the agonies and triumphs of his characters.
This Penguin Classics edition features an introduction and notes by the renowned classicist Bernard Knox.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust theseries to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-datetranslations by award-winning translators.
By:
Sophocles
Introduction by:
Bernard Knox
Translated by:
Robert Fagles
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions:
Height: 197mm,
Width: 130mm,
Spine: 19mm
Weight: 286g
ISBN: 9780140444254
ISBN 10: 0140444254
Pages: 432
Publication Date: 01 October 1984
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
The Three Theban Plays - Sophocles Translated by Robert Fagles with Introductions and Notes by Bernard KnoxAcknowledgments Translator's Preface Greece and the Theater SOPHOCLES: THE THREE THEBAN PLAYSIntroduction to Antigone Antigone Introduction to Oedipus the King Oedipus the King Introduction to Oedipus at Colonus Oedipus at Colonus A Note on the Text of Sophocles Textual Variants Notes on the Translation: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus Select Bibliography The Genealogy of Oedipus Glossary
Sophocles was born in 496 BC. His long life spanned the rise and decline of the Athenian Empire. He wrote over a hundred plays, many of which are published as Penguin Classics, drawing on a wide and varied range of themes. E.F. Watling translated a range of Greek and Roman plays for Penguin, including the seven plays of Sophocles and the tragedies of Seneca.
Reviews for The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus
I know of no better modern English version. -Sir Hugh Lloyd-Jones, Oxford University A marvel of craftsmanship and intelligence. -Emily Vermeule, Harvard University The most impressive verse translations of Sophocles that have been made. -Stephen Spender
