The Priorities of this Translation
Introduction to Sophocles and Greek Tragic Theatre
Note on Text, Spellings, Stage Directions, etc.
List of Maps
Oedipus the King
Introduction
Translation
Aias
Introduction
Translation
Philoctetes
Introduction
Translation
Oedipus at Colonus
Introduction
Translation
Notes
Select Biblography
Oliver Taplin is Emeritus Professor of Classics at the University
of Oxford, where he was for thirty-five years, Tutorial Fellow at
Magdalen College. The leading recurrent theme of his work has been
the reception of poetry and drama through performance and material
culture, in both ancient and modern times. As well as his academic
work, he has been involved in broadcasting and theatre, both within
and beyond the UK. Productions on which he has collaborated
include
the Oresteia (1981-2, dir. Peter Hall), The Thebans (1992, dir.
Adrian Noble), the Oresteia (1999-2000, dir. Katie Mitchell), and
Swallow Song (2004 and 2006 dir. Lydia Koniordou). Sophocles, born
in
the 490s BC, was a leading ancient Greek dramatist who composed as
many as 120 plays in his long lifetime, although only seven
survive. He entered and won many of the dramatic competitions held
in honour of Dionysus, and was also a prominent public figure in
the Athens of his day.
Rendered with uncanny clarity and intrinsic energy, the translation
shows great patience, ingenuity, and learning in the capturing of
the Greek original. It is lucid, smooth, elegant, and musical,
captivating readers instantly.
*Choice*
Impressive and accessible... The dramatic, thematic and rhetorical
thrust of Sophocles' writing is now better served by Taplin.
*Times Literary Supplement, Jon Hesk*
Taplin has produced a learned, thoughtful and detailed exploration
of the plays ... his search for voice and balance, his enthusiasm
for the task and material and, not least, the humour, that can be
found throughout this admirable text.
*David Matthews, Classics for All*
readable, humorous and varied translation most certainly worth the
price of admission.
*PRN Magazine*
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