Sophocles (c. 496–406 BCE): The Master of Tragedy
Quick Summary: Sophocles, known as the "Master of Tragedy," revolutionized Greek theatre by introducing the third actor. His plays, particularly Oedipus Rex and Antigone, shift the focus from divine intervention to human choice, moral dilemmas, and the tragic inevitability of fate.
Major Contributions to Greek Theatre
Born around 496 BCE in Athens, Sophocles was a dominant figure in the dramatic festivals of his time. He wrote 123 plays, though only 7 survive in full. His most significant technical innovation was the introduction of the third actor.
This innovation allowed for richer character development and fluid dialogue, shifting the drama's focus from simple narration to complex interpersonal conflict. His themes often explored the tension between fate and free will and the moral choices humans make in the face of divine prophecy.
Key Surviving Plays
1. Antigone
Antigone explores the conflict between state law and individual conscience. The protagonist, Antigone, defies King Creon's edict to give her brother Polyneices proper burial rites. Her act of piety leads to her tragic death, highlighting the struggle between human authority and divine law.
2. Electra
This play depicts Orestes avenging his father Agamemnon’s murder.
Note: Jean-Paul Sartre adapted this myth in his play The Flies (Often asked in exams).
3. Other Notable Works
- Ajax: Depicts the hero's downfall through madness and pride after being denied Achilles' armor.
- Philoctetes: A profound exploration of betrayal, suffering, and compassion.
- Oedipus at Colonus: A play of reconciliation and redemption, serving as the final chapter in the Oedipus myth.
Oedipus Rex (c. 429 BCE): Fate, Knowledge, and Blindness
First staged around 429 BCE, Oedipus Rex (or Oedipus the King) is considered Sophocles' greatest masterpiece and the quintessential Greek tragedy.
The Setting and Premise
Oedipus, who had previously saved Thebes by solving the Riddle of the Sphinx, is now King. The city is struck by a plague, and the Oracle declares that the sickness will only end when the murderer of the former king, Laius, is found and punished.
The Riddle of the Sphinx
The Sphinx's Riddle: "What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs at noon, and three legs in the evening?"
Answer: Man (Crawls as a baby, walks upright as an adult, uses a cane in old age).
The Unfolding of Truth
Oedipus vows to find the killer, unaware that he is hunting himself. The plot unravels through a series of revelations:
- Tiresias: The blind prophet is summoned. He represents the paradox of "blindness vs. insight"—he is physically blind but sees the truth, while Oedipus has sight but is blind to his reality. Tiresias cryptically reveals that Oedipus is the killer.
- Jocasta: Oedipus's wife (and mother) tries to comfort him by mocking prophecies, inadvertently revealing details about Laius's death at a crossroads that trigger Oedipus's memory.
- The Shepherd & Messenger: The final truth emerges—Oedipus is indeed the son of Laius and Jocasta. He has unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy: killing his father and marrying his mother.
The Tragic Climax
Upon realizing the truth:
- Jocasta: Commits suicide by hanging herself.
- Oedipus: Overcome with despair and guilt, he blinds himself, symbolizing his transition from physical sight (but ignorance) to physical blindness (but truth).
Oedipus pleads for exile, and Creon assumes leadership of Thebes. The famous moral of the play is: "Count no man happy until he is dead."