As with all Greek drama, there is an unspoken understanding that you already know the bare story, and that therefore the function of the drama is not to lay out the plot, but to explicate the psychological states of otherwise one-dimensional characters. As the play begins, the only ones who don’t know what’s going on are the characters in the play. When you know something the characters don’t, it’s called Sophoclean irony.
Yeah. That’s great. What’s it about?
The play follows the growing horror of Oedipus as awareness looms of his unfortunate life choices. We are with him every step, as each new piece of information clicks into place. As dramas go, it’s tight; there is no subplot, light relief or even extraneous characterisation to ease the mind-bending suspense. Despite being a product of 429 BC, there is a sophistication of pacing and dialogue which rewards the modern reader. That’s you. You’re “the modern reader”.
I don’t care about any of this! Tell me about the mother stuff!
When Oedipus was born, there was a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Despite everyone’s best attempts to avoid it, you can’t cheat the gods. It’s a bit icky, but if you’ve read Game of Thrones and you can’t handle some inter-family sex, you should present yourself to the relevant authorities at first light.
What should I say to make people think I’ve read it?
“A dramatic attempt to answer the oldest question: Why do bad things happen to good people?”
What should I avoid saying when trying to convince people I’ve read it?
“It’s a complex work.”
Should I actually read it?
Yes. It’s surprisingly fresh for its age, and it has a genuine emotional affect.
@readingancientclassics on Instagram is dedicated to discussions of ancient texts, reviews of myth retellings, and group read-alongs of classical literature. I’d love for you to join me there
[Antigone]…‘deals with the relation between mortals and gods. The work is an exploration and explanation of the workings of the cosmos [κόσμος], and the answers given express the distinctive ancient Greek ‘outlook’ or ethos. This ethos is pagan, and its essence may be said to be that there are limits to human behaviour; that some conduct is wise, some conduct is unwise. Unwise conduct invites retribution by the gods: it can and often does result in personal misfortune, in bad luck.’
From the introduction of Antigone, translated by David Myatt.
“Nothing vast enters the life of mortals without a curse.”
-Sophocles
Saw this quote on a documentary aboutSocial Media designed to keep us from being productive called “The Social Dilemma” on Netflixright after I asked Hermes how I can be more productive.
susan sontag as consciousness is harnessed to flesh: diaries (via@saccharineguilt) \ hélène delmaire \ olivia laing the lonely city \ david molina-molina object / mirror \ sophocles (tr. anne carson) (via@mortisha) \ hélène delmaire \ banana yoshimoto amrita(via@propertiesofjoy)
![[Antigone]…‘deals with the relation between mortals and gods. The work is an exploratio](https://64.media.tumblr.com/141b88c20c25a55c1cd4298f2dc1daa2/54ab22c82c7493e4-18/s1280x1920/8725c9a2dff8f345e47db1be9eac29244cc0a6b8.jpg "[Antigone]…‘deals with the relation between mortals and gods. The work is an exploratio")
