Sophocles: Oedipus Rex Oedipus Rex

Since its first publication, Dr Dawe's edition of Oedipus Rex has become the most widely used commentary on the play. The introduction investigates its plot and Sophocles' dramatic technique. As in the first edition, the commentary tackles question of language and expression, but is added to by reflections on the text developed in the twenty years since the publication of that first edition; most notably it recognizes the spurious nature of the play's ending. Classical scholars and students will welcome this revised edition of a bestselling text.

'Sophocles … created a masterpiece that in the eyes of posterity has overshadowed every other achievement in the field of ancient drama …' With these words Dr Dawe sets out the importance of Oedipus Rex. He investigates why it has for so long fascinated the human mind, devoting his introduction to an examination of the story and to the technique employed by Sophocles to unfold the plot. In this revised edition he also argues for the spurious nature of the play's ending. As with the first edition, the commentary deals authoritatively with problems of language and expression, but is enhanced by reflections on the text developed in the twenty years since the publication of that first edition. Written for classical scholars and students, this is a welcome revised edition of a bestselling text.

Introduction; Oedipus Rex; Commentary; Appendix on lyric metres.

Revised edition of Dr Dawe's bestselling edition. As in the first edition, the commentary tackles problems of language and expression, but is added to by reflections on the text developed in the twenty years since the first edition's publication, most notably recognizing the spurious nature of the play's ending.

R. D. Dawe is Senior Research Fellow (retired) at Trinity College Cambridge. He has been a visiting Lecturer at Harvard University and visiting Professor at the University of Colorado and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.