Sophokles’ Antigone is an ancient play that speaks directly to contemporary issues. From conflicts between authoritarian regimes and those who protest them to struggles over inequality and discrimination, students and general readers will find a touchstone in this classic work. The central questions of the play continue to resonate: What is the nature of justice? What is the place of civil disobedience in civil society? What is the proper exercise of power for those in authority? Extensive historical appendices, including selections from Plato, Herodotos, Aeschylus, and Euripides, provide cultural and literary contexts for these questions in ancient Greek society.
This Broadview Edition provides a readable new translation of Antigone along with helpful annotations, a comprehensive introduction to the play, and a general introduction to ancient Greek theatre.
Comments
“J. Aultman-Moore’s translation of Antigone is like a well-conducted symphony where all the lines come alive and are illumined in the context of the whole drama. It is a delight to read, and real food for the liberal arts appetite! Aultman-Moore’s introduction is crisp and informative and clearly lays out key moral and philosophical themes; it will work excellently in any undergraduate class on the Greeks, drama, philosophy, or interdisciplinary studies. Most importantly, it whets the student’s appetite to begin philosophizing and dialoguing about this profound play. The edition includes generous appendices with key dramatic and philosophical selections that show us the Greeks’ poetic and philosophical exploration of the ‘big ideas’ of justice, gender, and friendship.” — Gregory Kerr, DeSales University
“Aultman-Moore has given us a fresh and powerful translation of a play that all students of classical Greek literature and philosophy should read. His translation highlights the crucial polarities between civic law and natural good, tyranny and democracy, and misogyny and wisdom that are crucial to understanding Sophokles’ play. With Aultman-Moore’s critical introduction and insightfully selected readings in the appendices, this volume provides an excellent introduction to ancient Greek culture and philosophy.” — Stephen Calogero, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
