Sophocles

The legend of King Oedipus has withstood the test of time in its existence through many centuries. Sophocles, an Ancient Greek Playwright, composed the most renowned version of this epic tale. Seneca published another version and although it is considered the lesser of the two, it is still a popular edition. Both of the recounts focus on the same story, but engender different interpretations. These differences were not inadvertent, however they were due to the different time periods the both of them had grown up in. It is believed that Seneca lived approximately four hundred years following Sophocles.

Every play told about Oedipus portrays similar themes and these two plays are no exception to the rule. The focal points of any Oedipus story are the sins committed by Oedipus. For example, the murder of his father and the intimacy he experiences with his mother are cardinal sins by almost all standards. The majority of the play is also centered on Fate. The idea that one cannot escape the predetermined plans of a divine being echo throughout both depictions of the story.

As a result of the same basic plot flowing through the play, they begin from the same point. The majority of the characters re

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In Seneca’s version, however, the timing is altered. In Sophocles’ rendition, the time and spacing between the main events is even and consistent. In the latter scenes, Seneca severely shortens the description and thus hinders the effectiveness of the scenes. A slight similarity can be extracted from Manto and Tiresias to Oedipus and Antigone in Oedipus at Colonus. The pacing of these plays makes a difference in their effectiveness and popularity.

There were several smaller differences present between both of the plays. Slight differences occur in the plot lines, but the greater differences lye within the general pacing of the play and the use/purpose of the chorus. There was the matter of the actual method of the blinding of Oedipus. Although both versions are well known, Sophocles’ depiction of a tuly memorable legend is believed to be a true work of art. In Seneca’s depiction, Creon is the one who delivers the news to Oedipus and on the other hand, in Sophocles’ version, Tiresias delivers the news. Creon is the one who delivers the news to Oedipus, therefore Tiresias is not included as a victim of Oedipus’ tirade. The plot, feel, pace, as well as the characters and how they are presented, all combine to create a true masterpiece. Also, in Sophocles’ version, Oedipus accused Creon of trying to usurp the thrown, while in Seneca’s version, he actually is threatened with incarceration. In Seneca, the chorus is not used as much and when they are utilized, their praises aren’t as long or as powerful as the chorus in Sophocles’ version. Perhaps since Seneca’s audience was already familiar with Sophocles’ version, lengthening the praises to the Gods was unnecessary.

Approximate Word count = 925
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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