Sophocles' Oedipus the king
Subtitle: a reader's guide
By: Seán Sheehan
Series: Continuum reader's guides; Continuum reader's guides
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 2012
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 174
ISBN-13: 9781441107992; 9781441198242; 9781441124906; 9781441152855
Subjects: Oedipus (Greek mythology) in literature
Other titles: Oedipus the king :
Description: Described as the Mona Lisa of literature and the world's first detective story, Sophocles' Oedipus the King is a major text from the ancient Greek world and an iconic work of world literature. Aristotle's favourite play, lauded by him as the exemplary Athenian tragedy, Oedipus the King has retained its power both on and off the stage. Before Freud's famous interpretation of the play - an appropriation, some might say - Hölderlin and Nietzsche recognised its unique qualities. Its literary worth is undiminished, philosophers revel in its probing into issues of freedom and necessity and Lacan has ensured its vital significance for post-Freudian psychoanalysis.  This Reader's Guide begins with Oedipus as a figure from Greek mythology before focusing on fifth-century Athenian tragedy and the meaning of the drama as it develops scene by scene on the stage. The book covers the afterlife of the play in depth and provides a comprehensive guide to further reading for students.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [163]-169) and index.
Table of contents: title: Contexts; title: Language, style and form; title: Overview of themes; title: Reading Oedipus the King; title: Critical reception and publishing history; title: Adaptation, interpretation, and influence; title: Guide to further reading.