Boethius Book Club, Episode 4: Sophocles – Oedipus at Colonus

Our November book is comparatively short: Sophocles Oedipus at Colonus. This is Sophocles last play that we know of: He wrote it as an old man, who—according to tradition—was being sued by his own sons, who wanted to prove the old man non compos mentis. It is something like Sophocles’ King Lear, but instead of concentrating on ingratitude. the Greek poet gives us an image of filial piety in his daughters and in the aged protagonist he depicts a man transformed by suffering and filled with gratitude toward the Athenians who gave him hospitality. This is a play about loyalty, gratitude, and the duties of kinship and patriotism.

If you have the time and have not read his other plays on the Oedipus theme—Oedipus Tyrannus and Antigone—you might have a look at them or at least read my discussion of these plays on Fleming.Foundation.

Recorded: November 19, 2015
Original Air Date: July 27, 2016
Show Run Time: 1 hour 9 minutes
Show Guest(s): Dr. Thomas Fleming
Show Host(s): James Easton

 

Boethius Book Club℗ is a Production of the Fleming Foundation. Copyright 2016. All Rights are Reserved.

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