Primary Sources
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Aesch. |
Sev. complete. |
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Apollod. |
3.1.1: Europa. |
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3.4.1-3.4.2: Cadmus and Harmonia. |
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3.5.4-3.7.7: the legend of Thebes from Cadmus and Harmonia to Alcmaeon. For intricate details about the family and legends of Tydeus and Diomedes read Apollod. 1.8.4-1.8.6. |
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Aristot. |
Poet. 1452a-1462b: these sections are especially pertinent to Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus. |
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Eur. |
Phoen. complete. |
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Supp. complete. |
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Hdt. |
4.45.4: Europa. |
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5.57.1-5.61.2: Cadmus and the Cadmeans. |
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Hom. |
Il. 4.365-4.410: the Seven Against Thebes. |
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Od. 11.260-11.280: Antiope and Epicaste. |
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Hyg. |
178: Zeus carries Europa to Crete. |
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6: Cadmus and the Serpent of Ares. |
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66: Laius, Father of Oedipus. |
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85: Laius abducts Chrysippus. |
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67: Oedipus and His Fate. |
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68: Eteocles and Polynices. |
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69: Adrastus. |
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70: Catalogue of the Seven Against Thebes. |
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72: Antigone. |
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73: Amphiaraüs and the Necklace. |
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71: Catalogue of the Epigoni. |
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75: Tiresias is Blinded and Becomes a Prophet. |
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76: Kings of Thebes. |
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Mosch. |
2: Europa and the Bull. |
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Ov. |
Met. 2.836-3.137: Europa and Cadmus. |
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Met. 4.563-603: Cadmus and Harmonia Become Snakes. |
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Met. 3.316-340: Tiresias. |
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Met. 9.400-417: Seven Against Thebes. |
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Paus. |
1.34.2-1.34.5: Amphiaraus. |
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1.39.2: graves of those who went against Thebes. |
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2.6.1-2.6.7: legends of the Theban kings. |
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2.20.5: statues of Polynices and his chieftains. |
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8.24.7-8.24.10: Alcmaeon. |
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9.5.1-9.5.15: legends of Thebes, including that of Oedipus. |
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9.8.3-9.10.3: more Theban legends, especially about about the seven against Thebes and the Epigoni. |
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9.12.1-9.12.3: Cadmus. |
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9.17.4-9.19.3: tombs of legendary Thebans. |
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9.25.1-9.25.3: Menoeceus, the son of Creon, and Dirce, among others. |
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9.26.2-9.26.4: the sphinx. |
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9.33.1-9.33.2: Tiresias. |
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9.41.2-9.41.5: the necklace of Eriphyle. |
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10.5.3: the Cleft Road. |
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Pind. |
N. 9.1-9.19: Amphiaraus. |
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P. 8.35-8.60: Alcmaeon. |
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Sen. |
Oed. complete. |
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Phoen. complete. Note: sometimes it is called the Theban women from the Greek play, in which a chorus of Phoenician women travelling to Delphi happen to stop at Thebes, hence the name of this play. |
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Soph. |
OT complete. |
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OC complete. |
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Ant. complete. |
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Strab. |
9.2.3: Cadmus and the Phoenicians. |
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9.2.32: Hypothebes. |
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Stat. |
Theb.: the quarrel between the sons of Oedipus. |
Primary Sources | Secondary Sources | Music | Video
Secondary Sources
Literature
Anouilh, Jean (1910-1987). Antigone. Play.
Apollinaire, Guillaume (1880-1918). Les mamelles de Tirésias. Surrealist Farce.
Bauchau, Henry, Oedipus on the Road. New York: Arcade Publishing, 1994. Translated from the French novel, Oedipe sur la route (first published in 1990) by Anne-Marie Glasheen. An original novel that recounts the wanderings of blind Oedipus and devoted Antigone from Thebes to Colonus; as Oedipus journeys from despair to redemption through love, he learns about justice and compassion with an insight that illuminates contemporary political and social issues. Henry Bauchau (born in Belgium in 1913) is a writer, poet, and psychoanalyst of repute.
Cocteau, Jean (1889-1963). La machine infernale. Play about Oedipus.
--------. Antigone. Play.
Corneille, Pierre (1606-1684). Oedipe. Play.
Gide, André (1869-1951). Oedipe. Play.
Hofmannsthal, Hugo von (1874-1929). Ödipus und die Sphinx. Play.
Voltaire (1694-1778). Oedipe. Play.
Scholarship
Bremmer, Jan. "Oedipus and the Greek Oedipus Complex," in J. Bremmer. ed. Interpretations of Greek Mythology. London: Routledge, 1987.
Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983.
Daniels, Charles B. and Sam Scully. What Really Goes on in Sophocles' Theban Plays. Lantham, Maryland: University Press of America, 1996. An examination of the characterization of Oedipus, Antigone, and Creon in the context of the development of the plots of Oedipus at Colonus and Antigone.
Dawe, R. D., ed. Sophocles: The Classical Heritage. New York: Garland, 1996. A selection of writings from Italy, Germany, France and English-speaking countries that examine the lasting influence of Sophocles, from the performance of Oedipus Rex at Vicenza in 1585. Essays deal with how successive generations have perceived Sophocles and presented his plays to various types of audiences.
Edmunds, Lowell. Oedipus: The Ancient Legend and its Later Analogues. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1985.
Eliade, Marcia. The Myth of the Eternal Return. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1954.
Freud, Sigmund (1856-1939). The Interpretation of Dreams. Psychoanalytic treatise in which Freud identifies the Oedipus Complex.
Hamburger, Käte. From Sophocles to Sartre: Figures from Greek Tragedy Classical and Modern. New York: Oxford University Press, 1982.
Knox, Bernard. The heroic temper: Studies in Sophoclean Tragedy. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1964.
Larson, Jennifer. Greek Heroine Cults. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 1995. A counterpart to the study of male heroic cults.
Loraux, Nicole. The Experience of Tiresias: The Feminine and the Greek Man. Translated from the French by Paula Wissing. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1998 (1995). Associations made include a discussion of Socrates, Heracles, Helen and Athena.
Lyons, Deborah. Gender and Immortality: Heroines in Ancient Greek Myth and Cult. New York: Princeton University Press, 1997. An extensive and probing exploration of the multi-faceted nature of the heroine.
Mullahy, Patrick. Oedipus, Myth and Complex: A Review of Psychoanalytic Theory. New York: Grove Press, 1955.
Pucci, Pietro. Oedipus and the Fabrication of the Father: Oedipus Tyrannus in Modern Criticism and Philosophy. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins, 1992.
Steiner, George. Antigones. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1984. A discussion of the many reinterpretations of the legend.
Whitman, Cedric H. Sophocles: A Study of Heroic Humanism.. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1956.
Back to TopPrimary Sources | Secondary Sources | Music | Video
Music
Albert, Stephen (1941-). Into Eclipse.
Song cycle based on Seneca's Oedipus. Gordon. 20th Century Consort,
cond. Kendall. Electra/ Nonesuch CD 9 79153-2; Lakes. Juilliard
Orchestra, cond. Schwartz. New World NW 381-2.
Bach, P.D.Q. (Peter Schickele, 1935-). Oedipus Tex. Dramatic Oratorio for soloists, chorus, and orchestra. The Greater Hoople Area Off-Season Philharmonic and Okay Chorale, con d. Newton Wayland. Telarc CD-80239. Very funny parody with the Oedipus legend set in the old west.
Chaynes, Charles (1935-). Jocaste. Opera. Jossoud et al. Orchestre Symphonique de Rouen, cond. Chaslin. Chamade (MFA). CHCD 5633/34. Text by Jaques Lacarrière. Fiercely feminist, this opera is intended to set free the traditional Jocasta and to speak to all women who have been victimized by the selfishness of men. From Sophocles and Euripides, Jocasta, who survives after Oedipus has blinded himself, becomes the focal point of the tragedy.
Chávez, Carlos (1899-1978). Symphony No. 1, Sinfonia di Antigona. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Bátiz. ASV CD DCA 653. Reworking of incidental music written for a performance of Sophocles' Antigone.
"The End." An Oedipal song by Jim Morrison and his rock group The Doors. Elektra 74007-2.
Enesco, Georges (1881-1955). Oedipe. An operatic masterpiece (well worth investigating), which begins with the birth of Oedipus and ends at Colonus. Van Dam et al. Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, cond. Foster. EMI CDS 7 54011 2.
Honegger, Arthur (1892-1955). Antigone. Musical tragedy with text by Cocteau, adapted from Sophocles. Serres et al. Orchestre National, cond. Roux. Bourg BGC 17.
---------, Amphion. Melodrama. Text by Paul Valéry. Lallouette et al. Orchestre Philharmonique de Timisoara, cond. Jean-François Antonioli. The story fraught with philosophical interpretation about the artist and creation has as its core Apollo's presentation of the lyre to Amphion. Thus Amphion discovers music and through it erects a temple to Apollo.
Jörns, Helge (1941-). Europa und der Stier. Opera. Woods et al. Berlin Kammeroper, cond. Jones. con legno AU-031 816. The legend of Europa and the bull, with all the major characters from Phoenicia and Crete.
Lehrer, Tom. "Oedipus Rex." Humorous song about the Oedipus complex. Reprise Records 6199-2.
Leoncavallo, Ruggiero. (1858-1919). Edipo Re. If you enjoy Pagliacci, you will be interested in this operatic condensation of Sophocles. Fioraventi et al. Orchestra e Coro del Teatro San Carlo di Napoli, cond. Parodi. Italian Opera Rarities LO 7723.
Mageau, Mary (1974-). The Furies. Concerto for piano and orchestra. Lorenz. Queensland Symphony Orchestra, cond. Williams. Vienna Modern Masters VMM 3036. Each of the three movements bears a brief poetic description of the musical content: Alecto and her triumphant pursuit of Orestes; Tisiphone's terrifying sleep; Megaera's pursuit of Alcmaeon.
Mendelssohn, Felix (1809-1847). Antigone and Ödipus. Incidental music for adaptations of Sophocles, for speakers, solo bass, two male choruses and orchestra. Antigone. Hämer et al. Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, cond. Soltesz. Capriccio 10 392. Ödipus. Sander et al.
Milhaud, Darius. (1892-1974). Trois Opéras-Minute: L'enlčvement d'Europe, L'abandon d'Ariane, and La délivrance de Thésée. Ensemble Ars Nova, cond. Siranossian. Arion ARN 68195; Capella Cracoviensis, cond. Rickenbacher. Koch 3-1139-2. The first of these very short operas is about Jupiter's abduction of Europa.
Naumann, J. G. (1741-1801). Amphion. Amphion. Aria from the opera. Gustaviansk Opera (Gustavian Opera). Musica Sveciae (Swedish Music Anthology) MSCD 426.
Orff, Carl (1895-1982). Antigonae. Operatic setting of Hölderlin's German translation of Sophocles. Goltz et al. Bayerisches Staatsorchester, cond. Solti. Orfeo C 407 952 1; Borkh et al. Members of the Bavarian Symphony Orchestra, cond. Leitner. Deutsche Grammophon 437 721-2; Fisher et al. Die Weiner Philharmoniker, cond. Fricsay. Stradivarius STR 10060.
Paine, John Knowles (1839-1906). Oedipus Tyrannus-Prelude. John Alden Carpenter, Skyscrapers, and Other Music of the American East Coast School. London Symphony Orchestra, cond. Klein. EMI CDC-7 49263 2. Lovely work by the father of American classical music.
Partch, Harry (1901-1976), King Oedipus. The original version with W.B. Yeats's translation of Sophocles and an Introduction spoken by Partch are found in the album Enclosure Five: Harry Partch. Innova 405. Also included is the Gate 5 version of Revelation in the Courthouse Park.
Picker, Tobias (1954-). Emmeline. Opera. Racette et al. The Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, cond. Manahan. Albany Records Troy 284-85. A powerful retelling of the Oedipus legend, set in the eastern United States in the mid-nineteenth century, which has been seen on T.V. Based on the novel by Judith Rossner.
Purcell, Henry (1659-1695), Incidental Music from Oedipus. Pro Cantione Antiqua, cond. Brown. Ars Musici AM 1141-2. Written for the Oedipus of Dryden and Lee The three songs are: "Hear, ye sullen powers," Music for a while," and "Come away, do not stay."
Raitio, Väinö (1892-1945). Antigone. Tone-Poem for Orchestra. Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, cond. Saraste. Ondine ODE 790-2.
Rossini. Gioacchino (1792-1868). Edipo a Colono. Cantata for bass, chorus, and orchestra. Ghiuselev. Philharmonia Orchestra, cond. Scimone. Fonit Cetra (Italia). CDC 68.
Rzewski, Frederic (1938-). Antigone-Legend, for soprano and piano. A setting of a poem by Bertolt Brecht, which he wrote while he was adapting for the stage Hölderlin's translation of Sophocles' Antigone. Plantamura and Rzewski. Composers Recordings Inc. CRI CD 747.
Schubert, Franz (1797-1828)."Amphiaraos." Song about Amphiaraus against Thebes and his death. "Antigone und Oedip." Duet. Antigone appeals to Oedipus who is resigned to die. The Hyperion Schubert Edition 14. Hampson, McLaughlin, and Johnson. Hyperion CDJ33014. "Amphiaraos." Fischer-Dieskau and Moore. Deutsche Grammophon 437 215-2. Vol. 1.
Schuman, William (1910-1992). Night Journey. Ballet about Jocasta. The Atlantic Sinfonietta, cond. Schenck. Koch 3-7051-2 H1 (Includes Menotti's Errand into the Maze). See Video.
Stravinsky, Igor Oedipus Rex. Opera/Oratorio. Text, after Sophocles, by Cocteau, translated into Latin by Jean Danielou. Norman et al. Saito Kinen Orchestra, cond. Ozawa. Philips 438 865-2. See Video. A performance conducted by Stravinsky with Cocteau reading his introductory texts is recorded on Disques Montaigne TCE 8760; included are Scenes de Ballet and Le Rossignol.
Telson, Bob. Gospel at Colonus. Musical. Original cast recording. Fountain and the Five Blind Boys of Alabama et al. Electra/Nonesuch 79191-2. See Video.
Traetta, Tommaso (1727-1779). Antigona. Opera. Bayo, Allemano, et al. Les Talens Lyriques, cond. Rousset. Decca 460 204-2.
Wakeman, Rick and Ramon Remedios, A Suite of the Gods. New age songs for tenor, keyboards, and percussion, which include "The Oracle," about Oedipus. Relativity/President 88561-1026-2. A .The other songs are entitled: "Dawn of Time;" "Pandora's Box;" "Chariot of the Sun;" "The Flood;" "The Voyage of Ulysses;" "Hercules."
Xenakis, Iannis (1922-). A Colone. For male and female choir and instrumental ensemble. New London Chamber Choir and Critical Band, cond. Wood. Hyperion. CDA66980. The text is from Sophocles' Oedipus at Colonus, lines 668-719. Also includes Medea (setting for Seneca).
Primary Sources | Secondary Sources | Music | Video
Video
Night Journey. Choreographed and danced by Martha Graham. Music by William Schumann. Homevideo Exclusives, The Library of Master Performers 101V. Martha Graham, an American Original in Performance. Also on Kultur 1177; this video includes both Night Journey and A Dancer's World, in which Graham talks about her philosophy, as she prepares for her role as Jocasta. Night Journey is one of Graham's greatest works - a masterpiece.
Antigone. Cinematic version of Sophocles' play, written and directed by George Tzavellas and starring the great Irene Papas. In Greek with English subtitles. Ivy Classics Video. Also Video Yesteryear 2310.
Antigone. Produced and directed by Arlena Nys and starring Carrie O'Brien and Chris Bearne. Insight Media. AO422
Oedipus at Colonus. Music by Bob Telson and lyrics by Lee Breuer and Bob Telson. Warner Reprise Video. 38123-3. An original, moving, and faithful setting of Sophocles' play in the context of a black gospel service. An enlightening and moving comparison may be made between the sermon of the preacher (played by Morgan Freeman), describing the miracle of Oedipus passing, with the messenger speech from Sophocles.
Oedipus Rex. A brilliant film written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini (M/L 610). Original uncut version with English subtitles. Waterbearer Films WBF8013. A version is offered by Corinth Video CV-037.
Oedipus Rex. Opera/Oratorio, by Igor Stravinsky, directed by Hans Hulscher and conducted by Bernard Haitink. Home Vision OED01. A highly esteemed work of the twentieth century. Do not miss Stravinsky's manipulation of themes from Verdi's Aida (M/L 603)!
Oedipus Rex. Insight Media. AO36. Film directed by Tyrone Guthrie, using masks and W. B. Yeats' translation of Sophocles.
Oedipus Wrecks. One of three short films (included in the
movie New York Stories), directed by and starring Woody Allen.
Touchstone Home Video 952. About a fifty year old, neurotic lawyer,
tormented by the specter of his nagging mother.
