Oedipus rex translation. Oedipus Rex Lines 1 2022-11-17
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Oedipus Rex, also known as Oedipus the King, is a play written by the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles. It is a tragedy that tells the story of Oedipus, a man who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother. The play is considered one of the greatest works of literature in Western history and has been translated into many different languages.
One of the most famous translations of Oedipus Rex is the one done by the poet Robert Fagles. Fagles' translation is known for its beautiful and poetic language, as well as its faithfulness to the original Greek text. In his translation, Fagles sought to capture the rhythm and meter of the original Greek, as well as the emotions and thoughts of the characters.
One of the unique features of Fagles' translation is the way he handled the chorus, a group of characters who comment on the action of the play. In many translations, the chorus is translated into prose, which can make it feel dry and disconnected from the rest of the play. Fagles, however, chose to translate the chorus into verse, which gives it a more musical and emotional quality.
Another notable translation of Oedipus Rex is the one by the poet Ted Hughes. Hughes' translation is known for its use of modern, colloquial language, which makes it more accessible to modern audiences. In his translation, Hughes sought to capture the raw power and emotion of the play, and his language reflects this.
Despite the many different translations of Oedipus Rex, all of them seek to capture the depth and complexity of the original Greek text. Whether through poetic language or modern colloquialisms, these translations all aim to bring the timeless story of Oedipus to life for new audiences.
Sophocles
He wears the golden garland and staff of a king. Chorus We will dance to your honour, Kitheron because you bring such joy to our kings. Oedipus To the Shepherd Come old man, come here and tell us. Oedipus And compromise upon what? Thou askest me for what the god must give. And he took with him down to Hades all these useless oracles, worthless for anything at all! And may the god who sent this oracle Save us withal and rid us of this pest. Oedipus Let emerge what will! No mortal knows the will of the gods. Then, seeing that it must come, thou on thy part shouldst tell me thereof.
Sophocles: Oedipus the King, A New Verse Translation by David Kovacs
And I tell thee—the man of whom thou hast this long while been in quest, uttering threats, 450 and proclaiming a search into the murder of Laïus—that man is here,—in seeming, an alien sojourner, but anon he shall be found a native Theban, and shall not be glad of his fortune. Come friends, take me out of here, as quickly as possible. When she crossed this threshold here, leaving you with that anger in her soul, she rushed to her bridal bed and began immediately to tear at her own hair. Leave not thus nakedly for all to gaze at A horror neither earth nor rain from heaven Nor light will suffer. For, had I sight, I know not with what eyes I could have met my father in the shades, Or my poor mother, since against the twain I sinned, a sin no gallows could atone.
Chorus How is he now, the poor, unfortunate man? He can no longer ignore a feeling of uncertainty about his parentage. Oedipus went to Delphi and asked the oracle about his parentage. I shall try everything for his sake, as if he were my own father. Whence hadst thou got it? And how can my sire be level with him who is as nought to me? Ah my son, 'tis plain enough that thou knowest not what thou doest. But thy preserver, my son, in that hour. I reck not how Fate deals with me But my unhappy children—for my sons Be not concerned, O Creon, they are men, And for themselves, where'er they be, can fend.
Tragedies of Sophocles (Jebb 1917)/Oedipus the King
Great, I know; but my fear is of her who lives. Teiresias I have already hidden them. Jocasta What is it, Oedipus? Then wottest thou of having noted yon man in these parts— He. Oedipus Are you disobeying me? Chorus Gentle Jocasta is dead? Nay, take not these from me! See now your great Oedipus! As if some fire-carrying god has swooped upon our land, hollowing out our homes while at the same time, cluttering the house of Black Hades with our moans and our cries of despair. Why ask Thus idly what from me thou shalt not learn? His clothes are no more than tattered hessian rags. Chorus And our souls, hasten to beat one another, like fast birds, in their race to get, like a wild fire, to Dark Hades.
Best translation of Oedipus Rex? : AskLiteraryStudies
What is the good of them now when I saw no good with them before? For whoever was the slayer of Laius might wish to take vengeance on me also with a hand as fierce. For this outrage, Teiresias, you shall pay with tears; you, Teiresias and he, the chief plotter. Oedipus What is there left for me to see, to love, to speak with and to listen to, with joy? Chorus Apollo, god of healing, god fromDelos, I dread the message you bring to us. You have worked with them. Nay, king,—if thou art rightly called,—Zeus all-ruling, may it not escape thee and thine ever-deathless power! Among these translations are that of Thomas Gould, J. The play is an example of classic tragedy, notably containing an emphasis upon how Oedipus's own faults contribute to his downfall as opposed to making fate the sole cause.
Where is my voice being cast? Justly said; but no man on the earth 280 can force the gods to what they will not. Haste, 1340 lead me from the land, friends, lead me hence, the utterly lost, the thrice accursed, yea, the mortal most abhorred of heaven! Odd and not worthy of the attention I gave it at the time. Nay, to all seeming, he brings comfort; else would he not be coming crowned thus thickly with berry-laden bay. Teiresias I will leave after I say the things I came to say. Oedipus Take me away from here then. Could I but blindly touch them with my hands I'd think they still were mine, as when I saw. The man from whom I had thee may know more.
‎Oedipus Rex (Storr Translation) by Sophocles (497 BCE
Jocasta Forget all this nonsense then. What exactly are you afraid that I will do to you? For your sake and mine, let me go home. Thou speakest as resolved not to yield or to believe? Can you tell me who it is? Oedipus' reaction to the Oracle is irrational: he states he did not get any answer and he flees in a direction away from Corinth, showing that he firmly believed at the time that Polybus and Merope are his real parents. If the god wants something done he will tell us himself. Nay, there is,—for all save thee; 370 for thee that strength is not, since thou art maimed in ear, and in wit, and in eye. Thy grief hath had large scope enough: nay, pass into the house.
On the Different Translations of "Oedipus Rex": [Essay Example], 1238 words GradesFixer
The whole nation is suffering from this wound, from this murderous plague and we see no way to be rid of it. Your father who knew nothing of what he was doing, nothing about his own birth or about his marriage or about your birth. Shepherd Indicating the palace It was from in there, my Lord. Chorus All this, my king, is dreadful for all of us. Was Polybus not my father? Teiresias Shouts in pain 316 Oh, how brutal! But O condemn me not, without appeal, On bare suspicion. But if any man walks haughtily in deed or word, with no fear of Justice, no reverence for the images of gods, may an evil doom seize him for his ill-starred pride, if he will not win his vantage fairly, 890 nor keep him from unholy deeds, but must lay profaning hands on sanctities.
