Title
Two Faces of Oedipus: Sophocles' 'Oedipus Tyrannus' and Seneca's 'Oedipus',New
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This book brings two dramatic traditions into conversation while providing elegant, accurate, and exciting new versions of Sophocles' and Seneca's tragedies.Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus is the most famous of ancient tragedies and a literary masterpiece. It is not, however, the only classical dramatization of Oedipus' quest to discover his identity. Between four and five hundred years after Sophocles' play was first performed, Seneca composed a fine, but neglected and often disparaged Latin tragedy on the same subject, which, in some ways, comes closer to our common understanding of the Oedipus myth. Now, modern readers can compare the two versions, in new translations by Frederick Ahl.Balancing poetry and clarity, yet staying scrupulously close to the original texts, Ahl's English versions are designed to be both read and performed, and are alert to the literary and historical complexities of each. In approaching Sophocles anew, Ahl is careful to preserve the richly allusive nature and rhetorical power of the Greek, including the intricate use of language that gives the original its brilliant force. For Ahl, Seneca's tragedy is vastly and intriguingly different from that of Sophocles, and a poetic masterpiece in its own right. Seneca takes us inside the mind of Oedipus in ways that Sophocles does not, making his inner conflicts a major part of the drama itself in his soliloquies and asides.Two Faces of Oedipus opens with a wideranging introduction that examines the conflicting traditions of Oedipus in Greek literature, the different theatrical worlds of Sophocles and Seneca, and how cultural and political differences between Athenian democracy and Roman imperial rule affect the nature and conditions under which the two tragedies were composed.
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- Q: What is 'Two Faces of Oedipus' about? A: This book presents a comparative analysis of Sophocles' 'Oedipus Tyrannus' and Seneca's version of the Oedipus myth, showcasing their distinct dramatic traditions.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The book is authored by Frederick Ahl, who provides new translations of both tragedies.
- Q: How does this book enhance the understanding of the Oedipus myth? A: It offers elegant translations and a detailed introduction that explores the cultural and political contexts of both plays, facilitating a deeper understanding of their themes.
- Q: What is the condition of the book being sold? A: The book is listed as 'Used Book in Good Condition', indicating it may have some wear but is still functional.
- Q: How many pages does 'Two Faces of Oedipus' contain? A: The book contains 280 pages.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: When was 'Two Faces of Oedipus' published? A: The book was published on February 15, 2008.
- Q: Is this book suitable for performance readings? A: Yes, Ahl's translations are designed to be both read and performed, making them suitable for theatrical presentations.
- Q: What are some key features of this book? A: The book balances poetic language with clarity, staying true to the original texts while making the plays accessible to modern readers.
- Q: What is the significance of the introduction in this book? A: The introduction examines the conflicting traditions surrounding Oedipus in literature, enriching the reader's understanding of the plays' backgrounds.