The Seven Plays in English Verse
Jan 2021 · Otbebookpublishing
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268
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "The Hellenic spirit has been repeatedly characterized as simple Nature-worship. Even the Higher Paganism has been described as 'in other words the purified worship of natural forms.'[1] One might suppose, in reading some modern writers, that the Nymphs and Fauns, the River-Gods and Pan, were at least as prominent in all Greek poetry as Zeus, Apollo, and Athena, or that Apollo was only the sweet singer and not also the prophet of retribution."
About the author
Sophocles (c. 497/6 – 406/5 BCE) stands as one of the most influential playwrights of ancient Greece, whose works have transcended millennia to shape the very foundations of Western literature and drama. Born into a wealthy family in Colonus, near Athens, Sophocles was a contemporary of Aeschylus and Euripides, forming a triumvirate that defined classical tragedy. His career spanned over six decades, during which he authored more than 120 plays, though only seven have survived in complete form.Sophocles is celebrated for his profound exploration of human nature and the complexities of fate, morality, and divine intervention. His innovations in drama included the introduction of a third actor, which allowed for more intricate character interactions and plot development. This was a revolutionary departure from the traditional two-actor format and significantly enriched the theatrical experience.A respected public figure, Sophocles held various civic positions, including serving as a general alongside Pericles during the Samian War. His political and military involvement provided him with a unique perspective on the interplay between individual agency and societal forces, themes that permeate his work.Controversially, Sophocles' portrayal of the gods and fate often suggested a more nuanced and less deterministic view than his predecessors, challenging the audience to reconsider the nature of divine justice. His influence extended beyond his lifetime, inspiring countless writers, from the Roman tragedian Seneca to modern existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre.Sophocles' legacy endures not only through his surviving plays but also through his contributions to the evolution of dramatic structure and his profound insights into the human condition, making him a timeless figure in the annals of literary history.
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