Oedipus at Colonus

This outstanding drama of classical antiquity, part of the Cadmean trilogy that includes Oedipus Rex and Antigone, was first presented in 405 B.C. Thought to be among Sophocles' last works, it represents the great playwright's crowning achievement in depicting the painful quest for truth and self-knowledge that leads to spiritual triumph. Blinded and disgraced, Oedipus dwells quietly in Thebes until the kingdom is roiled by discord attributed to his presence and the curse put upon him by the gods. The citizens banish their erstwhile sovereign to years of lonely exile. Finally, the aging king finds refuge in a sacred olive grove at Colonus, near Athens. In the meantime, Oedipus' two sons wage a struggle for control of Thebes. Secure in the protection of Theseus, ruler of Athens, and faithfully attended by his daughters Antigone and Ismene, Oedipus is a towering tragic figure whose final years comprise a moving portrayal of the perseverance of human dignity in the face of an incomprehensible and impersonal universe. Students, teachers, and lovers of classical drama will welcome this inexpensive edition of an enduring literary and theatrical landmark.