Sophocles

Who can forget the tragic inevitability of Oedipus’ fate, the implacable determination of bereaved Antigone, or the noble, towering rage of an Ajax wronged? These are but a few of the famous triumphs which earned Sophocles a place alongside Aeschylus and Euripides as one of the three pillars of the tragic canon in the golden age of fifth-century Athenian drama. Only seven of Sophocles’ 123 plays survive in their entirety, but each one of these has demonstrated an enduring appeal as it continues to captivate theatre-going audiences worldwide. In his agile and informative introduction, Stephen Esposito presents the genius of Sophocles through a perceptive analysis of his extant works: their poetry and production; the cultural and political contexts behind their themes; and the distinctive character of the rich, resonant Sophoclean voice. He explores as well Sophocles’ engagement with Homer, and the lasting legacy of Sophocles’ influence on the work of intellectuals, playwrights, directors and musicians as diverse as Seneca, Freud, Stravinsky and Pier Paolo Pasolini.