Oedipus Rex (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780299282547)

Oedipus Rex is the greatest of the Greek tragedies, a profound meditation on the human condition. The story of the mythological king, who is doomed to kill his father and marry his mother, has resonated in world culture for almost 2,500 years. But Sophocles' drama as originally performed was much more than a great story--it was a superb poetic script and exciting theatrical experience. The actors spoke in pulsing rhythms with hypnotic forward momentum, making it hard for audiences to look away. Interspersed among the verbal rants and duels were energetic songs performed by the chorus.

David Mulroy's brilliant verse translation of Oedipus Rex recaptures the aesthetic power of Sophocles' masterpiece while also achieving a highly accurate translation in clear, contemporary English. Speeches are rendered with the same kind of regular iambic rhythm that gave the Sophoclean originals their drive. The choral parts are translated as fluid rhymed songs. Mulroy also supplies an introduction, notes, and appendixes to provide helpful context for general readers and students.

Author: Sophocles
ISBN-10: 0299282546
ISBN-13: 9780299282547
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press
Language: English
Published: 05/19/2011
Pages: 154
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.36lbs
Size: 8.03h x 5.13w x 0.38d

Review Citation(s):
New York Review of Books 05/10/2012 pg. 56