Sophocies and Aeschyius

Sophocles: An Ancient Voice for Modern Times

Sophocles was a Classic Greek playwright and dramatist from the 5th century BCE. He was accredited as the author of more than a hundred plays during his career, only seven of who survive in their entirety today. Sophocles was considered to be one of the three great tragedians of Hellenic Greece, alongside Aeschylus and Euripides. His most famous works include the Theban plays, a set of three tragedies in which he dramatizes the story of Oedipus and his daughter, Antigone. Despite the vast gulf of years that separates the classical Greek world from the modern age, his plays still offer an insightful view into the human mind that resonates just as vibrantly today as when it was written. When the context of his plays are examined for their social commentary, it can be seen how little the state of human affairs has changed in the two thousand years since his death. Sophocles has relevance to modern times because the themes and motifs of his plays are still seen at work in the world, as we know it today.

Sophocles was alive during the time of the Pelopponesian War, the conflict that effectively destroyed Athens and contributed to the downfall of the Classic Greek world. By this time in history, democracy had begun to break down in Athens, amidst the rising toll of the war and the infestation of the plague. Over a period of many years, the Athenians watched the very structure of their society and way of life crumble. There are many that see the same forces at work in modern times. We constantly are bombarded with images and words depicting the social collapse of our culture and its values. In this way, we have an immediate sense of empathy with Sophocles. He was witnessing the breakdown of his society, just as we are today.

As rational beings we are responsible for our own actions. Sophocles shows us the reluctance that men have to accepting the consequences of their actions. In Oedipus at Colonus, the protagonist (Oedipus) bemoans his fate and the harsh treatment he received at the hands of his sons. He claims no responsibility for his fratricide or his incestuous relations, the causes of his exile, believing himself innocent in his ignorance. However, what Oedipus does not acknowledge is that he killed a stranger at a crossroads, and that stranger happened to be his own father. Oedipus fails to recognize that it is not just the fratricide he is guilty of, but murder. Would killing a total stranger in a fit of anger be justified had it not been his father? Oedipus seems to think so. If Oedipus had controlled his temper instead, he might have averted his awful fate. Sophocles uses this parable to make a statement about man's responsibilities. Even today, people are continuously making choices that have negative impacts on their own lives, yet they shirk any blame or responsibility for the fruits of those choices. Sophocles shows us that Oedipus is not a victim of the whims of the gods, but a victim of his own actions. Sophocles uses Oedipus to make social commentary on the self-denial of the common man. In modern times, we see this reflected in the attitudes of the average American- we constantly seek to place the blame for our misfortunes on external sources instead of acknowledging our own contributions to those misfortunes.

As much as Oedipus is a victim of his own actions, he is a victim of his emotions. He carries the anger and resentment of his exile for years, until when the opportunity comes to reconcile with his son, he is overcome by bitterness and refuses to hear his pleas. This rejection leads directly to the mutual destruction of both his sons, by each other's hands. By selfishly seeking vindication for past wrongs, Oedipus condemns his own children to death. While Oedipus may not shed tears for his two estranged sons who cast him out of Thebes, his actions directly led to the death of one of his loyal daughters, Antigone (in the play by the same name). Antigone willingly gives up her own life to secure proper funerary rights for her dead brother. Thus, if Oedipus had been able to overcome his own bitterness and extended forgiveness to his son; he could have saved the lives of two of his children. The modern world is also victim to this destructive stubbornness.