Οιδίπους Τύραννος

Name: Οιδίπους Τύραννος
Author: Sophocles

By Sophocles

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Classics of Literature Mythology, Legends & Folklore Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

The drama opens with citizens beseeching their king to save the city from a deadly plague; an oracle declares the land must punish the murderer of the previous ruler. The king's inquiry, involving a blind seer and a lone survivor, escalates into recognition that he unknowingly killed that monarch and later married his mother. The revelation produces public disgrace, self-inflicted blindness, and voluntary exile. Presented as a tight tragic unraveling, the work examines fate versus human agency, the pursuit of truth and its costs, and the interplay of knowledge and blindness as moral and psychological motifs.

About the Author

Sophocles

Sophocles was an ancient Greek playwright, renowned for his contributions to the genre of tragedy. He is best known for his works that explore complex themes of fate, morality, and the human condition. Among his most famous plays are "Oedipus Rex" and "Antigone," which remain pivotal in the study of literature and drama. Sophocles introduced innovations in theatrical performance, including the use of painted scenery and the addition of a third actor, which enhanced the dramatic possibilities of the stage. His works have had a lasting influence on Western literature and continue to be performed and studied for their profound insights into human nature.