Oedipus: A Play in Five Acts

By Voltaire

Book Overview

Voltaire (1694-1778) was a prolific French philosopher, historian, novelist, poet, essayist--and popular playwright and opera librettist. Oedipus, produced in 1718, was his first drama, a recasting of Sophocles's play of the same name. Voltaire highlights the tension by introducing the character Philoctetes, a suitor of Queen Jocasta before she married Laius or Oedipus, and later a companion to Hercules. Philoctetes returns to Thebes, which is being punished by the gods because King Laius's murderer has not yet been punished--and becomes the chief suspect in the crime. Young King Oedipus is forced to investigate, but in the process reveals himself to be the killer--and uncovers the fact, previously unknown to him, that Jocasta is not only his wife, but his mother! The ensuing scandal destroys his family, his world, and himself. A brilliant d?but by one of the world's great writers!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1434444422
• ISBN13: 9781434444424
• Release Date: March 2012
• Publisher: Borgo Press
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"