Sophocles

496 BC - 406 BC *

most successful Greek tragedian, producing what were considered perfect tragedies as well as reforming the performance of Greek tragedy.

Between Aeschylus and Euripides in the history of the development of Greek tragedy, Sophocles was a masterful and innovative tragedian. He added a third actor to the format developed by Aeschylus.

Aristotle considered Sophocles' Oedipus Rex to be the perfect model of a tragedy. Sophocles made use of the traditional tragic formula: the fall of a flawed protagonist in a high position, evoking pitty and fear in the audience and making use of the audience's awareness of the outcome of the story to create dramatic irony.

The judges of the Dionysian theatre awarded him first prize for 24 out of the 30 plays he performed there. His work is a timeless reminder of the early developments of tragedy and drama.

          Source: Classics Network Editorial Team

SOPHOCLES (495—406 B.C.), Greek tragic poet, was born at Colonus in the neighbourhood of Athens. His father’s name was Sophillus; and the family burial-place is said to have been about a mile and a half from the city on the Decelean Way. The date assigned for the poet’s birth is in accordance with the tale that young Sophocles, then a pupil of the musician Lamprus, was chosen to lead the chorus of boys in the celebration of the victory of Salamis (480 n.e.). The time of his death is fixed by the allusions to it in The Frogs of Aristophanes and in The Muses, a lost play of Phrynichus, the comic... [read entire biography]

          Source: External Publication

These essays offer analysis of the author's life and works. Many of them have been submitted by users, and are assigned an Editorial Rating on a scale from one to five stars to assist you in evaluating their worth. See also: Note on Essays, Editorial Policy.

     

The Socratic quote in relation to "Oedipus the King" -- Socrates' quote "The unexplained life is not worth living" in relation tp "Oedipus the King"
By Melissa Legrand, Undergraduate Student	Editorial Rating:

Prisoners of Free Will -- Sophocles aesthetically states the conflict of free will and fate for Oedipus.
By 6azzi,	Editorial Rating:

Irony within Oedipus Rex -- Examples and explainations of the many ironies within Oedipus Rex
By DaRabbit, Student	Editorial Rating:

Issues Explored in Oedipus Rex -- How generic conventions assist the reader to become awareaware of social, political and moral aspects of Oedipus Rex
By ston, Student	Editorial Rating:

Influential Themes of Oedipus Rex -- Examines the themes of hubris, the consequences of thoughtless actions, and the connection between a king and his people in Oedipus Rex.
By Anders Ringdahl-Mayland,	Editorial Rating:

Oedipus as a True Tragic Hero -- How does Oedipus measure up with other tragic heroes in Shakespreare? Is he a true tragic hero in Aristotle's eyes?
By Melissa Legrand, Undergraduate Student	Editorial Rating:

The Fate of Oedipus -- Was Oedipus brought down by fate or a tragic flaw on his part?
By Melissa Legrand, Undergraduate Student	Editorial Rating:

Oedipus Rex: Short Character analysis -- A short character analysis of Oedipus in Oedipus Rex
By Melissa Legrand, Undergraduate Student	Editorial Rating:

Oedipus Rex and Fate -- Fate and its significance in the text.
By James Cox, Student	Editorial Rating:

     

Miscellaneous

		Sophocles 'Oedipus Rex' -- an interpretation of Sophocles' play http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/uni... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 865 2 users have rated it an average of 2.5 stars     [rate it] ELAC Guide to Greek Theatre -- a guide to Greek Theatre, covering the Origins of Drama, Tragedy and Comedy http://www.perspicacity.com/elactheatre/... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 330 0 users have rated it an average of 0 stars     [rate it] Rivendell's Drama Page -- Sophocles -- Background and context, links to full texts and an excellent essay entitled an exploration of Oedipus http://www.watson.org/rivendell/dramagre... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 451 0 users have rated it an average of 0 stars     [rate it] The Internet Classics Archive -- Sophocles -- Full text translations of all of Sophocles' plays and comments & discussions about them. http://classics.mit.edu/Browse/index-Sop... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 558 0 users have rated it an average of 0 stars     [rate it] Rivendell's Drama Page -- Sophocles -- Sophocles biography, context article, and list of english translations. http://www.watson.org/rivendell/dramagre... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 239 0 users have rated it an average of 0 stars     [rate it] Sophocles' Life and Plays -- A short biography, list of plays and links. http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/c... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 365 0 users have rated it an average of 0 stars     [rate it] Bedford / St Martins -- Sophocles Links -- Fifteen links to websites about specific works of Sophocles. http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/litlinks... Editorial Rating: Number of Visitors: 313 0 users have rated it an average of 0 stars     [rate it]

     

Think not that thy word and thine alone must be right. -- Antigone, 706.

Sophocles

Death is not the worst evil, but rather when we wish to die and cannot. -- Electra, 1007.

Sophocles

There is an ancient saying, famous among men, that thou shouldst not judge fully of a man's life before he dieth, whether it should be called blest or wretched. -- Trachiniæ, 1.

Sophocles

In a just cause the weak o'ercome the strong. -- Œdipus Coloneus, 880.

Sophocles

A lie never lives to be old. -- Acrisius. Frag. 59.

Sophocles

Nobody loves life like an old man. -- Acrisius. Frag. 63.

Sophocles

A short saying oft contains much wisdom. -- Aletes. Frag. 99.

Sophocles

Do nothing secretly; for Time sees and hears all things, and discloses all. -- Hipponous. Frag. 280.

Sophocles

It is better not to live at all than to live disgraced. -- Peleus. Frag. 445.

Sophocles

War loves to seek its victims in the young. -- Scyrii. Frag. 507.

Sophocles

More quotes by this author are available...

Additional searches

Sophocles at Encarta Encyclopedia

Sophocles at Britannica Encyclopedia

Sophocles at Xrefer.com