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Sophocles was the Aaron Spelling of ancient Greek world--his plays had all the makings of a modern soap! But archaic translations of his ancient work make it almost impossible to see any of the Melrose Place-like plots! BookCaps can help readers who have struggled in the past with Sophocles classic plays with this modern retelling.
The play describes the end of Oedipus' tragic life. Legends differ as to the site of Oedipus' death; Sophocles set the place at Colonus, a village near Athens and also Sophocles' own birthplace, where the blinded Oedipus has come with his daughters Antigone and Ismene as suppliants of the Erinyes and of Theseus, the king of Athens.
The original text is also presented in the book, along with a comparable version of both text.
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Excerpt From Oedipus At Colonus In Plain and Simple English
Argument
Oedipus, the blind and banished King of Thebes, has come in his wanderings to Colonus, a deme of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone. He sits to rest on a rock just within a sacred grove of the Furies and is bidden depart by a passing native. But Oedipus, instructed by an oracle that he had reached his final resting-place, refuses to stir, and the stranger consents to go and consult the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus of the Play). Conducted to the spot they pity at first the blind beggar and his daughter, but on learning his name they are horror-striken and order him to quit the land. He appeals to the world-famed hospitality of Athens and hints at the blessings that his coming will confer on the State. They agree to await the decision of King Theseus. From Theseus Oedipus craves protection in life and burial in Attic soil; the benefits that will accrue shall be told later. Theseus departs having promised to aid and befriend him. No sooner has he gone than Creon enters with an armed guard who seize Antigone and carry her off (Ismene, the other sister, they have already captured) and he is about to lay hands on Oedipus, when Theseus, who has heard the tumult, hurries up and, upbraiding Creon for his lawless act, threatens to detain him till he has shown where the captives are and restored them. In the next scene Theseus returns bringing with him the rescued maidens. He informs Oedipus that a stranger who has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon wishes to see him. It is Polyneices who has come to crave his father's forgiveness and blessing, knowing by an oracle that victory will fall to the side that Oedipus espouses. But Oedipus spurns the hypocrite, and invokes a dire curse on both his unnatural sons. A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as peal follows peal, Oedipus is aware that his hour is come and bids Antigone summon Theseus. Self-guided he leads the way to the spot where death should overtake him, attended by Theseus and his daughters. Halfway he bids his daughters farewell, and what followed none but Theseus knew. He was not killed (so the Messenger reports) for the gods took him.
Oedipus, the blind and exiled King of Thebes, has arrived in his wanderings at Colonus, a province of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone. He sits to rest in a grove that is sacred to the Furies and is told to leave by a passing local. But Oedipus, told by an oracle that this is his final resting place, refuses to go and the local agrees to go and consult with the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus). They go to the spot and at first they pity the blind beggar and his daughter, but when they discover his true identity they are horrified and order him to leave. He appeals to the famous hospitality of Athens and hints that his presence will bring great benefits to the State. They agree to wait for the decision of King Theseus. Oedipus asks Theseus for protection and that he will be buried on Greek soil; he will explain the benefits for Athens later. Theseus leaves, promising his help and friendship. As soon as he leaves Creon enters with his guards who seize Antigone and carry her off (they have already captured the other sister, Ismene). He is about to carry Oedipus off when Theseus, hearing the fuss, arrives and threatens to detain Creon for his illegal act until he has returned the captives. In the next scene Theseus returns with the girls. He tells Oedipus that a stranger has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon and wants to see him. It is his son Polyneices who has come to ask Oedipus’ blessing and forgiveness, knowing from an oracle that victory in his battle for Thebes with his brother will come to whomever Oedipus favors. But Oedipus rejects his hypocrisy and puts a curse on both his sons. A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as more and more follows Oedipus knows his time has come and asks Antigone to call Theseus. Leading the way he goes to the spot where he knows death will overtake him, accompanied by Theseus and his own daughters. Halfway he tells his daughters to leave, and only Theseus knows what happened next. He did not die, the Messenger says, but was taken by the gods.
Scene: In front of the grove of the Eumenides.
Enter the blind OEDIPUS led by his daughter, ANTIGONE.
OEDIPUS
Child of an old blind sire, Antigone,
What region, say, whose city have we reached?
Who will provide today with scanted dole
This wanderer? 'Tis little that he craves,
And less obtains--that less enough for me;
For I am taught by suffering to endure,
And the long years that have grown old with me,
And last not least, by true nobility.
My daughter, if thou seest a resting place
On common ground or by some sacred grove,
Stay me and set me down. Let us discover
Where we have come, for strangers must inquire
Of denizens, and do as they are bid.
Child of an old blind father, Antigone,
What country, what city have we reached?
Who will give a little something
To this wanderer? He wants little,
And gets less – but it’s enough for me;
I have been taught to accept hardship by suffering,
By the long years I have lived
And most of all by true nobility.
My daughter, if you see a place to rest
On common ground or by some holy grove
The stop me and let me sit. Let us find out
Where we are, for strangers must question
Locals, and do as they are told.
ANTIGONE
Long-suffering father, Oedipus, the towers
That fence the city still are faint and far;
But where we stand is surely holy ground;
A wilderness of laurel, olive, vine;
Within a choir of songster nightingales
Are warbling. On this native seat of rock
Rest; for an old man thou hast traveled far.
My long suffering father, Oedipus, the battlements
That surround the city are faint and for off,
But we are surely in a holy place,
A wilderness of laurel, olive and vine;
A choir of nightingales are singing inside.
Use this natural rock seat
And rest; you have traveled far for an old man.
OEDIPUS
Guide these dark steps and seat me there secure.
Guide my blind steps and sit me down safely.
ANTIGONE
If time can teach, I need not to be told.
I don’t need telling, if experience is any use.
OEDIPUS
Say, prithee, if thou knowest, where we are.
Please tell me, if you know, where we are.
ANTIGONE
Athens I recognize, but not the spot.
I know we’re in Athens, but not where.
OEDIPUS
That much we heard from every wayfarer.
We’ve heard that much from every passerby.
ANTIGONE
Shall I go on and ask about the place?
Shall I go on and ask?
OEDIPUS
Yes, daughter, if it be inhabited.
Yes, daughter, if there’s anyone there.
ANTIGONE
Sure there are habitations; but no need
To leave thee; yonder is a man hard by.
There are certainly houses, but I need not
Leave you, there’s a man over there.
OEDIPUS
What, moving hitherward and on his way?
What, coming this way?
ANTIGONE
Say rather, here already. Ask him straight
The needful questions, for the man is here.
[Enter STRANGER]
Actually he’s here already. Ask him your questions,
He’s right here.
OEDIPUS
O stranger, as I learn from her whose eyes
Must serve both her and me, that thou art here
Sent by some happy chance to serve our doubts--
Oh stranger, I learn from her whose sight
Has to serve us both that you are here,
Sent by a happy chance to answer our questions –
STRANGER
First quit that seat, then question me at large:
The spot thou treadest on is holy ground.
First get off that seat, then ask all you want;
You are walking on holy ground.
OEDIPUS
What is the site, to what god dedicate?
What is the place, what god is it dedicated to?
STRANGER
Inviolable, untrod; goddesses,
Dread brood of Earth and Darkness, here abide.
It is sacred, an untrodden; the fearsome goddesses
Of Earth and Darkness live here.
OEDIPUS
Tell me the awful name I should invoke?
Tell me what terrible name I should use?
STRANGER
The Gracious Ones, All-seeing, so our folk
Call them, but elsewhere other names are rife.
We call them the Gracious Ones, the All-seeing,
But they have other names with other people.
OEDIPUS
Then may they show their suppliant grace, for I
From this your sanctuary will ne'er depart.
Then may they show their petitioner mercy, for I
Will never leave this sanctuary of yours.
STRANGER
What word is this?
What are you saying?
OEDIPUS
The watchword of my fate.
I am speaking of my fate.
STRANGER
Nay, 'tis not mine to bid thee hence without
Due warrant and instruction from the State.
No, it’s not my place to tell you to go without
Permission and orders from the State.
OEDIPUS
Now in god's name, O stranger, scorn me not
As a wayfarer; tell me what I crave.
Now for god’s sake, stranger, don’t reject me
As a traveler; tell me what I ask.
STRANGER
Ask; your request shall not be scorned by me.
Ask, I will not deny what you want.
OEDIPUS
How call you then the place wherein we bide?
Then tell me what you call this place?
STRANGER
Whate'er I know thou too shalt know; the place
Is all to great Poseidon consecrate.
Hard by, the Titan, he who bears the torch,
Prometheus, has his worship; but the spot
Thou treadest, the Brass-footed Threshold named,
Is Athens' bastion, and the neighboring lands
Claim as their chief and patron yonder knight
Colonus, and in common bear his name.
Such, stranger, is the spot, to fame unknown,
But dear to us its native worshipers.
Whatever I know you can know too; this place
Is all dedicated to great Poseidon.
Close by the Titan who holds the torch,
Prometheus, is worshipped, but the spot
You walk on, called the Brass-footed threshold,
Is Athens’ border, and the neighboring lands
Claim as their leader and protector the knight
Colonus, and they take their name from him.
This is where you are, stranger, not well known
But dear to us, its native worshippers.
Oedipus, the blind and banished King of Thebes, has come in his wanderings to Colonus, a deme of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone. He sits to rest on a rock just within a sacred grove of the Furies and is bidden depart by a passing native. But Oedipus, instructed by an oracle that he had reached his final resting-place, refuses to stir, and the stranger consents to go and consult the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus of the Play). Conducted to the spot they pity at first the blind beggar and his daughter, but on learning his name they are horror-striken and order him to quit the land. He appeals to the world-famed hospitality of Athens and hints at the blessings that his coming will confer on the State. They agree to await the decision of King Theseus. From Theseus Oedipus craves protection in life and burial in Attic soil; the benefits that will accrue shall be told later. Theseus departs having promised to aid and befriend him. No sooner has he gone than Creon enters with an armed guard who seize Antigone and carry her off (Ismene, the other sister, they have already captured) and he is about to lay hands on Oedipus, when Theseus, who has heard the tumult, hurries up and, upbraiding Creon for his lawless act, threatens to detain him till he has shown where the captives are and restored them. In the next scene Theseus returns bringing with him the rescued maidens. He informs Oedipus that a stranger who has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon wishes to see him. It is Polyneices who has come to crave his father's forgiveness and blessing, knowing by an oracle that victory will fall to the side that Oedipus espouses. But Oedipus spurns the hypocrite, and invokes a dire curse on both his unnatural sons. A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as peal follows peal, Oedipus is aware that his hour is come and bids Antigone summon Theseus. Self-guided he leads the way to the spot where death should overtake him, attended by Theseus and his daughters. Halfway he bids his daughters farewell, and what followed none but Theseus knew. He was not killed (so the Messenger reports) for the gods took him.
Oedipus, the blind and exiled King of Thebes, has arrived in his wanderings at Colonus, a province of Athens, led by his daughter Antigone. He sits to rest in a grove that is sacred to the Furies and is told to leave by a passing local. But Oedipus, told by an oracle that this is his final resting place, refuses to go and the local agrees to go and consult with the Elders of Colonus (the Chorus). They go to the spot and at first they pity the blind beggar and his daughter, but when they discover his true identity they are horrified and order him to leave. He appeals to the famous hospitality of Athens and hints that his presence will bring great benefits to the State. They agree to wait for the decision of King Theseus. Oedipus asks Theseus for protection and that he will be buried on Greek soil; he will explain the benefits for Athens later. Theseus leaves, promising his help and friendship. As soon as he leaves Creon enters with his guards who seize Antigone and carry her off (they have already captured the other sister, Ismene). He is about to carry Oedipus off when Theseus, hearing the fuss, arrives and threatens to detain Creon for his illegal act until he has returned the captives. In the next scene Theseus returns with the girls. He tells Oedipus that a stranger has taken sanctuary at the altar of Poseidon and wants to see him. It is his son Polyneices who has come to ask Oedipus’ blessing and forgiveness, knowing from an oracle that victory in his battle for Thebes with his brother will come to whomever Oedipus favors. But Oedipus rejects his hypocrisy and puts a curse on both his sons. A sudden clap of thunder is heard, and as more and more follows Oedipus knows his time has come and asks Antigone to call Theseus. Leading the way he goes to the spot where he knows death will overtake him, accompanied by Theseus and his own daughters. Halfway he tells his daughters to leave, and only Theseus knows what happened next. He did not die, the Messenger says, but was taken by the gods.
Scene: In front of the grove of the Eumenides.
Enter the blind OEDIPUS led by his daughter, ANTIGONE.
OEDIPUS
Child of an old blind sire, Antigone,
What region, say, whose city have we reached?
Who will provide today with scanted dole
This wanderer? 'Tis little that he craves,
And less obtains--that less enough for me;
For I am taught by suffering to endure,
And the long years that have grown old with me,
And last not least, by true nobility.
My daughter, if thou seest a resting place
On common ground or by some sacred grove,
Stay me and set me down. Let us discover
Where we have come, for strangers must inquire
Of denizens, and do as they are bid.
Child of an old blind father, Antigone,
What country, what city have we reached?
Who will give a little something
To this wanderer? He wants little,
And gets less – but it’s enough for me;
I have been taught to accept hardship by suffering,
By the long years I have lived
And most of all by true nobility.
My daughter, if you see a place to rest
On common ground or by some holy grove
The stop me and let me sit. Let us find out
Where we are, for strangers must question
Locals, and do as they are told.
ANTIGONE
Long-suffering father, Oedipus, the towers
That fence the city still are faint and far;
But where we stand is surely holy ground;
A wilderness of laurel, olive, vine;
Within a choir of songster nightingales
Are warbling. On this native seat of rock
Rest; for an old man thou hast traveled far.
My long suffering father, Oedipus, the battlements
That surround the city are faint and for off,
But we are surely in a holy place,
A wilderness of laurel, olive and vine;
A choir of nightingales are singing inside.
Use this natural rock seat
And rest; you have traveled far for an old man.
OEDIPUS
Guide these dark steps and seat me there secure.
Guide my blind steps and sit me down safely.
ANTIGONE
If time can teach, I need not to be told.
I don’t need telling, if experience is any use.
OEDIPUS
Say, prithee, if thou knowest, where we are.
Please tell me, if you know, where we are.
ANTIGONE
Athens I recognize, but not the spot.
I know we’re in Athens, but not where.
OEDIPUS
That much we heard from every wayfarer.
We’ve heard that much from every passerby.
ANTIGONE
Shall I go on and ask about the place?
Shall I go on and ask?
OEDIPUS
Yes, daughter, if it be inhabited.
Yes, daughter, if there’s anyone there.
ANTIGONE
Sure there are habitations; but no need
To leave thee; yonder is a man hard by.
There are certainly houses, but I need not
Leave you, there’s a man over there.
OEDIPUS
What, moving hitherward and on his way?
What, coming this way?
ANTIGONE
Say rather, here already. Ask him straight
The needful questions, for the man is here.
[Enter STRANGER]
Actually he’s here already. Ask him your questions,
He’s right here.
OEDIPUS
O stranger, as I learn from her whose eyes
Must serve both her and me, that thou art here
Sent by some happy chance to serve our doubts--
Oh stranger, I learn from her whose sight
Has to serve us both that you are here,
Sent by a happy chance to answer our questions –
STRANGER
First quit that seat, then question me at large:
The spot thou treadest on is holy ground.
First get off that seat, then ask all you want;
You are walking on holy ground.
OEDIPUS
What is the site, to what god dedicate?
What is the place, what god is it dedicated to?
STRANGER
Inviolable, untrod; goddesses,
Dread brood of Earth and Darkness, here abide.
It is sacred, an untrodden; the fearsome goddesses
Of Earth and Darkness live here.
OEDIPUS
Tell me the awful name I should invoke?
Tell me what terrible name I should use?
STRANGER
The Gracious Ones, All-seeing, so our folk
Call them, but elsewhere other names are rife.
We call them the Gracious Ones, the All-seeing,
But they have other names with other people.
OEDIPUS
Then may they show their suppliant grace, for I
From this your sanctuary will ne'er depart.
Then may they show their petitioner mercy, for I
Will never leave this sanctuary of yours.
STRANGER
What word is this?
What are you saying?
OEDIPUS
The watchword of my fate.
I am speaking of my fate.
STRANGER
Nay, 'tis not mine to bid thee hence without
Due warrant and instruction from the State.
No, it’s not my place to tell you to go without
Permission and orders from the State.
OEDIPUS
Now in god's name, O stranger, scorn me not
As a wayfarer; tell me what I crave.
Now for god’s sake, stranger, don’t reject me
As a traveler; tell me what I ask.
STRANGER
Ask; your request shall not be scorned by me.
Ask, I will not deny what you want.
OEDIPUS
How call you then the place wherein we bide?
Then tell me what you call this place?
STRANGER
Whate'er I know thou too shalt know; the place
Is all to great Poseidon consecrate.
Hard by, the Titan, he who bears the torch,
Prometheus, has his worship; but the spot
Thou treadest, the Brass-footed Threshold named,
Is Athens' bastion, and the neighboring lands
Claim as their chief and patron yonder knight
Colonus, and in common bear his name.
Such, stranger, is the spot, to fame unknown,
But dear to us its native worshipers.
Whatever I know you can know too; this place
Is all dedicated to great Poseidon.
Close by the Titan who holds the torch,
Prometheus, is worshipped, but the spot
You walk on, called the Brass-footed threshold,
Is Athens’ border, and the neighboring lands
Claim as their leader and protector the knight
Colonus, and they take their name from him.
This is where you are, stranger, not well known
But dear to us, its native worshippers.
Translation missing: en.general.search.loading