Title
Sophocles: Four Tragedies: Oedipus the King, Aias, Philoctetes, Oedipus at Colonus,Used
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Sophocles stands as one of the greatest dramatists of all time, influencing a vast array of artists and thinkers over the centuries. Disturbing and unrelenting, his tragedies portray what Matthew Arnold referred to as 'the turbid ebb and flow of human misery', allowing the audience to stand on the verge of the abyss and confront the waste and disorder of human existence. The heroic myths reinterpreted in the plays locate them within a world in which the extremes of human emotion in its darkest hours can be freely explored. It is, however, the creativity of Sophocles' plays which prevents them from descending into unbridled chaos or despair. The unflinching engagement with heartrending suffering reveals strengths held within the carefully crafted poetry, lyricism, and movement. There is, as Taplin writes, 'no blinking, no evasion, no palliative. ... Out of apparently meaningless suffering comes meaning and form.'This original and distinctive verse translation of four of Sophocles' plays conveys the vitality of his poetry and the vigour of the plays as performed showpieces, encouraging the reader to relish the sound of the spoken verse and the potential for song within the lyrics. Each play is accompanied by an introduction and substantial notes on points of fact and interpretation, drawing on the translator's many years of lecturing on Sophocles at the University of Oxford.Oedipus the King, often regarded as the archetypal tragedy, follows Oedipus, the 'man of sorrow', who has unwittingly chosen to enact his prophesied course by murdering his father and marrying his mother.Aias (or Ajax) tells the story of the warrior whose largerthanlife greatness brings him to harrowing humiliation and then to honourable burial.Philoctetes sees a oncenoble hero, nursing his resentment during ten years in marooned isolation, eventually restored to glory at Troy.Oedipus at Colonus depicts the blind Oedipus towards the end of his life wandering as a beggar, but rewarded finally with revenge and a sublime death.
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We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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Warranty
We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What plays are included in 'Sophocles: Four Tragedies'? A: The collection includes 'Oedipus the King', 'Aias' (or Ajax), 'Philoctetes', and 'Oedipus at Colonus'.
- Q: Who is the translator of this edition? A: This edition is translated by Oliver Taplin, who has extensive experience lecturing on Sophocles at the University of Oxford.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The book is available in hardcover binding, ensuring durability and a premium feel.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: The book contains 240 pages.
- Q: When was this edition published? A: This edition was published on May 19, 2015.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic study? A: Yes, this book includes substantial notes and introductions for each play, making it suitable for academic study and understanding.
- Q: What themes are explored in Sophocles' tragedies? A: The tragedies explore themes of human suffering, the complexities of fate, and the extremes of human emotion.
- Q: Is this translation intended for performance? A: Yes, the translation emphasizes the vitality of Sophocles' poetry, making it suitable for performance and enjoyment of spoken verse.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is in new condition.
- Q: What category does this book fall under? A: The book falls under the category of Ancient & Classical literature.