DATE: 409 COMPETITION: first prize CHARACTERS: Odysseus, Neoptolemos, Philoctetes, Merchant, Herakles CHORUS: sailors from the ship of Neoptolemos SETTING: the deserted island of Lemnos SUMMARY: The Greeks have been besieging Troy for ten years and discover that they cannot take the city without the presence of Philoctetes and the bow of Herakles. They (especially Odysseus…
Tag: Plays
Oedipus Tyrannus/ Oedipus Rex/ Oedipus the King: Summary & Analysis
DATE: before 424 – the plague at the start of the play may reflect the plague that struck Athens early in the War (430–425); most scholars argue for 429 or 427–5. COMPETITION: Sophocles’ presentations finished second to Philokles. CHARACTERS: Oedipus, Priest, Kreon, Teiresias, Jokasta, messenger from Corinth, Theban herdsman, Messenger; Antigone, Ismene (silent) CHORUS: elders…
Antigone by Sophocles: Summary & Analysis
DATE: probably 443 or 442, although a case can be made for 438 COMPETITION: won first prize CHARACTERS: Antigone, Ismene, Kreon, Guard, Haimon, Teiresias, First Messenger, Eurydike, Second Messenger CHORUS: elders of Thebes SETTING: the palace at Thebes SYNOPSIS: It is the morning after the Argive army has attacked Thebes and been defeated. Oedipus’ two…
‘night, Mother by Marsha Norman: Analysis and Themes
’night Mother by Marsha Norman is a thought provoking play. The entire drama is contained in the single act of the mother (Mama) and daughter (Jessie) talking. The subject of their conversation surrounds the casual yet sudden announcement by Jessie that she is going to end her life. One of the hallmarks of good theatre…
Symbolism in Waiting For Godot
Written by Samuel Beckett originally in French in 1948, the translated English version was first enacted on stage in 1953. One of the masterpieces of the absurdist tradition, the play is infused with psychological, political and philosophical symbolism. It is also rich in its layered themes and motifs. The plot is outwardly quite simple, involving…
Why Does Iago Hate Othello?
Iago’s hatred of Othello emerges from a variety of reasons. At the outset, Iago is Othello’s servant and there is bound to be a systemic hatred against one’s masters. Then there is Desdemona, the most gracious and virtuous wife of Othello. The intimate and exemplary nature of their mutual love and devotion inspires envy and…