Playwrights / Dramatists - 01 - Sophocles (496-406 B. C.)

The glory of ancient Greece survives in its drama as well as in its epics, folktales, fables, and lyric poetry.

The fifth century B. C. was the golden age of Greek drama when the most famous Greek dramatists Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides – were writing.

Beloved and revered as a playwright in his own time, Sophocles is one of the greatest tragic dramatists of all time.

Sophocles was born in the ancient city of Sophilus in 496 B. C. His father was a wealthy nobleman. He gave his son a good education to make him an ideal Greek citizen.

Sophocles lived up to his father’s expectation perfectly well. He lived in Athens and once served as the Commissioner of Public Affairs. In 440 B. C. when he was about fifty five he served as a General in the Greek Army and fought in many battles.

Sophocles’ influence on western culture is seen in his plays. He is said to have written 125 plays but only seven have survived. The most famous of his plays are the tragedies ‘Oedipus Rex’, ‘Electra’ and ‘Antigone’.

More than twenty of his plays won first prize at the annual dramatic competition in Athens, and many more won second prizes.

Today Sophocles’ plays are performed around the world from Greek festivals where they are presented in Modern Greek language in the ancient open air theatres, to experimental productions in English in modern playhouses.

Greek drama began in the seventh century B. C. as a part of religious rituals surrounding birth and death. Soon drama contests were held in honour of the god Dionysus, and by 534 B. C. the first contest for tragedy was held in Athens. Originally consisting of the chorus and a single actor, Greek drama gradually added more actors. Sophocles is credited with introducing a third actor to the stage and initiating the use of painted sets.

For the subject matter of his plays Sophocles drew upon ‘legends’ or tales handed down for generations among the people of a certain region.

The plots of ‘Antigone’ and ‘Oedipus Rex’ are based on the legends of the city Thebes. Sophocles knew that his audiences were familiar with these legends. Further he knew well that theatregoing for the Greeks was more than entertainment. Considered a part of a citizens’ education and supported by the state Greek drama allowed mass participation in the tragedy and comedy of human experience. Sophocles did his best to give his countrymen the experience and education they expected.

Sophocles died in Colonus, Attica, Greece in 406 B. C. and was buried at Decelea.

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