Oedipus Rex is an Ancient Greek Tragedy with a plot twist competing with modern writers. I will not give away the ending, yet it is as interesting as dysfunctional. This version is unabridged with a brief note from Dover Thrift Editions editor Stanley Appelbaum. It is refreshing to read an ancient play without endnotes from the translator, who is actually Sir George Young.
Young's translation preserves the poetic intentions of Sophocles. He also translated several plays in, "the Dramas of Sophocles Rendered in English Verse Dramatic and Lyric by Sir George Young."
Why is this play so fascinating? If you ever thought your family impeded on your life or felt as though the fates had cursed you this is an uplifting tale. Written as a murder mystery, Oedipus must find the murderer of former King Laius in order to free the city from a daunting curse.
Attempting to keep the ending untainted, the Oedipus Complex is described as a son's desire to appease their Mother and replace their Father within the immediate family. Having read this play and read a book written by Freud the Oedipus Complex is actually associated to Self Fulfilling Prophecy. Perhaps after years of reading books about Freud's work, instead of, his original writing the world of psychology is forever tainted.
Self Fulfilling Prophecy is the direct or indirect manifestation of truths based on prediction. An example is a child performing for a home movie. The parent predicts the child will be a famous actor regardless of other attributes. Even if the child exhibits stage fright the parent is propelled to make the child famous or homeless in pursuit of fame, because they dismissed the child's existing characteristics.
Either way this is the second time reading the tale and it is enthralling. I may start reading the play aloud to practice acting. Sophocles' work in itself is wonderful. Additional insight and subsequent understanding of how delusional psychologists have become makes it fun with a tingly sensation.
This book is great for anyone wanting to undermine authority in the most embarrassing way. This list includes: subcultures, sociologists, psychologists and anyone from a dysfunctional home.
Quirky Books
The Ego and the Id by Sigmund Freud
Electra by Sophocles
Showing posts with label famous greek tragedy plays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label famous greek tragedy plays. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Electra by Sophocles
The classic plays of Sophocles have endured over thousands of years. This is an adapted version by Frank McGuinness. Written in 1998 for a play featuring Zoe Wanamaker the entire title is "Electra: Sophocles' Ancient Tale of Vengeance."
The tale focuses on heirs to a Grecian throne. The immediate situation is obvious. The mother, Clytemnestra murdered Electra's father and married the man who wielded the axe. Clytemnestra believes killing her former husband is justified because he sacrificed her daughter Iphigenia, instead of, Menelaus' children.
Reading the play sheds no light on Freud's Electra Complex. The mother sought vengeance after her husband sacrificed her daughter. Murdering her husband was avenged by her remaining children. A brief note implies the sacrifice of Iphigenia was enlightened, because the royal family did not separate themselves from the populous in this manner.
The definition of the Electra Complex is, "Female counterpart of the Oedipus complex in the male; a term used to describe unresolved conflicts during childhood development toward the father which subsequently influence a woman's relationships with men." This translation has no relation to the play. However, Freud is a long-winded blowhard and reading his books is tricky. Skeptical of the common understanding, it will be awhile before trying to identify other possible interpretations.
Focusing on the play itself, it is well written and relatively short. Frank McGuinness has done well in translating it into an understandable English format. McGuinness is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and English postgraduate in Medieval Studies.
An interesting play, additional notes focus on Zoe Wanamaker with a quick interview. Her parents passed away. Drawing on personal experience, she infuses several experiences into the role.
Though disputing the modern interpretation of the Electra Complex, I feel is relates to children spurning whichever parent disciplines them. The plot is interesting. Psychologists and actors would gain a lot by reading the book; however, most people would enjoy flipping through the pages. The language is complicated. The main points are clear, though it is easy to overlook minor plot twists.
Quirky Books
The Ego and the Id by Sigmund Freud
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
The tale focuses on heirs to a Grecian throne. The immediate situation is obvious. The mother, Clytemnestra murdered Electra's father and married the man who wielded the axe. Clytemnestra believes killing her former husband is justified because he sacrificed her daughter Iphigenia, instead of, Menelaus' children.
Reading the play sheds no light on Freud's Electra Complex. The mother sought vengeance after her husband sacrificed her daughter. Murdering her husband was avenged by her remaining children. A brief note implies the sacrifice of Iphigenia was enlightened, because the royal family did not separate themselves from the populous in this manner.
The definition of the Electra Complex is, "Female counterpart of the Oedipus complex in the male; a term used to describe unresolved conflicts during childhood development toward the father which subsequently influence a woman's relationships with men." This translation has no relation to the play. However, Freud is a long-winded blowhard and reading his books is tricky. Skeptical of the common understanding, it will be awhile before trying to identify other possible interpretations.
Focusing on the play itself, it is well written and relatively short. Frank McGuinness has done well in translating it into an understandable English format. McGuinness is an award winning playwright, screenwriter and English postgraduate in Medieval Studies.
An interesting play, additional notes focus on Zoe Wanamaker with a quick interview. Her parents passed away. Drawing on personal experience, she infuses several experiences into the role.
Though disputing the modern interpretation of the Electra Complex, I feel is relates to children spurning whichever parent disciplines them. The plot is interesting. Psychologists and actors would gain a lot by reading the book; however, most people would enjoy flipping through the pages. The language is complicated. The main points are clear, though it is easy to overlook minor plot twists.
Quirky Books
The Ego and the Id by Sigmund Freud
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
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