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Julie's Reviews > The Theban Plays
The Theban Plays
by
by
Of happiness the crown and chiefest part
Is wisdom, to hold the gods in awe.
This is the law
That, seeing the stricken heart
Of pride brought down,
We learn when we are old.
I felt an urge to return to the stories that set my mind on fire, way down the tunnels of time, and I chose blindly, or so I thought. Enjoying them even more today than I did the first two dozen times I read them, I nonetheless wondered why these plays ... and why now? In the middle of reading half a dozen other books, I still felt restless, and kept circling the bookcases, looking for something more satisfying. If ever there was a time to read, and understand Greek tragedy, it is now, given how the latest political events are shaping our world.
In a time fraught with willing blindness, much as Oedipus himself adopts an unwillingness to see the truth before him, these plays are a reminder of the dangers that can ensue when we choose not to see what is so plainly before us.
The three plays combined seem to ask the same question: what is the duty of the citizen in the state: to uphold those laws imposed upon them by one man's invention, in The State, be that man ever so stubborn, or so wrong; or to listen to the heart and uphold the greater laws of Nature, and inherently, Humanity.
It is a push-pull of the heart and mind and not so easily resolved as it would seem; and, because we are not gods, the right answer, The Truth, often comes too late, as it did with Creon.
Is there a time, ever, in humanity, when the prophecies were heeded in time? Or are we doomed to repeat this process, to the very end of time itself.
Not even Sophocles can offer an answer on that one.
Is wisdom, to hold the gods in awe.
This is the law
That, seeing the stricken heart
Of pride brought down,
We learn when we are old.
I felt an urge to return to the stories that set my mind on fire, way down the tunnels of time, and I chose blindly, or so I thought. Enjoying them even more today than I did the first two dozen times I read them, I nonetheless wondered why these plays ... and why now? In the middle of reading half a dozen other books, I still felt restless, and kept circling the bookcases, looking for something more satisfying. If ever there was a time to read, and understand Greek tragedy, it is now, given how the latest political events are shaping our world.
In a time fraught with willing blindness, much as Oedipus himself adopts an unwillingness to see the truth before him, these plays are a reminder of the dangers that can ensue when we choose not to see what is so plainly before us.
The three plays combined seem to ask the same question: what is the duty of the citizen in the state: to uphold those laws imposed upon them by one man's invention, in The State, be that man ever so stubborn, or so wrong; or to listen to the heart and uphold the greater laws of Nature, and inherently, Humanity.
It is a push-pull of the heart and mind and not so easily resolved as it would seem; and, because we are not gods, the right answer, The Truth, often comes too late, as it did with Creon.
Is there a time, ever, in humanity, when the prophecies were heeded in time? Or are we doomed to repeat this process, to the very end of time itself.
Not even Sophocles can offer an answer on that one.
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Reading Progress
November 16, 2016
–
Started Reading
November 16, 2016
– Shelved
November 17, 2016
–
40.48%
"Sons and daughter of Thebes, behold, this was Oedipus,
Greatest of men; he held the key to the deepest mysteries;
Was envied by all his fellow-men for his great prosperity;
Behold, what a full tide of misfortune swept over his head.
Then, learn that mortal man must always look to his ending.
And none can be called happy until that day when he carries
His happiness down to the grave, in peace."
page
68
Greatest of men; he held the key to the deepest mysteries;
Was envied by all his fellow-men for his great prosperity;
Behold, what a full tide of misfortune swept over his head.
Then, learn that mortal man must always look to his ending.
And none can be called happy until that day when he carries
His happiness down to the grave, in peace."
November 18, 2016
–
73.81%
"This is the end of tears: No more lament.
Through all the years, Immutable stands this event."
page
124
Through all the years, Immutable stands this event."
November 19, 2016
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-7 of 7 (7 new)
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Julie, we must be soulmates! Not only in our continual failure to pass the Sarcasm Removal Course, but also in that restless search for answers in the classics. Sophocles' Ajax was my choice, but Oedipus is another captivating read. I always find it interesting how the Greeks admit and take responsibility for their crimes, even if they did not commit them knowingly. The absolute opposite of our time's blaming and passing the buck!
Lisa wrote: "Julie, we must be soulmates! Not only in our continual failure to pass the Sarcasm Removal Course, but also in that restless search for answers in the classics. Sophocles' Ajax was my choice, but O..."Lisa -- Castor and Pollux, maybe? ... come back to earth? : ) (I shudder to think of us as Helen and Clytemnestra.)
Your point is an interesting one, in terms of looking backward to look forward. I suppose I really am looking for someone to take responsibility; and, as you say, the Greek tragedians were really good at painting the big moral picture for everyone: take responsibility or else all the hellfire of Olympus will rain down upon you and your people until the end of time. (I have to admit, I'm very partial to that way of thinking, perhaps to my detriment.)
Trish wrote: "Julie wrote: "Not even Sophocles can offer an answer on that one..."No, Sophocles wasn't able to answer, but perhaps history has...in the ruin of an ancient civilization..."
It makes me wonder what sort of play Sophocles would write for today's world, Trish. Probably the same old story, with the names changed to protect the
Insightful review, Julie, thank you. Good questions.
For me, I'd always choose on the side of humanity. :-)
I recently added my first ancient, Seneca's On the Shortness of Life, after I read this Brain Pickings post.
Really looking forward to it.
For me, I'd always choose on the side of humanity. :-)
I recently added my first ancient, Seneca's On the Shortness of Life, after I read this Brain Pickings post.
Really looking forward to it.
Anne wrote: "Insightful review, Julie, thank you. Good questions.For me, I'd always choose on the side of humanity. :-)
I recently added my first ancient, Seneca's On the Shortness of Life, after..."
There must be some sort of cosmic shift in the universe, Anne, for I find that more and more, all my friends -- on GR and otherwise -- are turning back to the "ancients" for answers to a multitude of questions. I've never seen such a move backward in time, all at once. We all feel uprooted, it seems, or in free fall, and are all grasping for something that can (seemingly) only be answered by those wise ones from long, long ago.
I read Seneca in my uni days, as a requirement. I suspect I'd appreciate him more now because I might even understand some of what he said. : )
@Julie
Thank you, Julie, and so true. And it's a positive trend, I think.
Speaking of uprooted...
I recently read a wonderful book for the modern woman, which used ancient Celtic myths as its source of wisdom:
If Women Rose Rooted: The Power of the Celtic Woman
An absolutely fabulous read - recommended for all women!
And I will let you know about Seneca. :-)
Thank you, Julie, and so true. And it's a positive trend, I think.
Speaking of uprooted...
I recently read a wonderful book for the modern woman, which used ancient Celtic myths as its source of wisdom:
If Women Rose Rooted: The Power of the Celtic Woman
An absolutely fabulous read - recommended for all women!
And I will let you know about Seneca. :-)
No, Sophocles wasn't able to answer, but perhaps history has...in the ruin of an ancient civilization...