About The Author
SOPHOCLES
Sophocles was born in Colonus, a small town outside of Athens, Greece in 495 B.C. He was the son of an armor manufacturer who became schooled in poetry, music, and dancing. He was prized for his exceptional physique and abilities in the arts. When he was fifteen years old, Sophocles earned his reputation as a performer when he was selected to lead a chorus of boys in the paean (a hymn of victory and thanksgiving to the gods) after the battle of Salamis. He went on to become an established playwright in Athens, authoring more than 120 plays.
Sophocles first public recognition as a playwright came when he won first prize at the festival of Dionysus (called the Dionysia) in 468 B.C. At these festivals, playwrights were to complete three tragedies and one satyr-play (collectively, this was called a tetralogy; “tetra” means“four”). This particular festival’s outcome was significant for his career because the twenty-eight year old Sophocles won the coveted prize over Athens’ established playwright, Aeschylus. As the years continued, Sophocles went on to win first prize a total of twenty-four times (sinceeach tetralogy consisted of four plays, he wrote ninety-six first place award winning plays), and seven second place awards out of the thirty-one competitions he entered. Sadly, out of over one hundred twenty plays written by Sophocles, only seven still exist in their entirety. These are:
Ajax (445 B.C.)
Antigone (440 B.C.)
Electra (440 B.C.)
Oedipus Rex (430 B.C.)
The Trachiniae (413 B.C.)
Philoctetes (410 B.C.)
Odeipus at Colonus (401 B.C.--date of first performance; five years after the death of Sophocles)
Although the Oedipus plays (Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone) are commonly thought of as a trilogy, they were not written as such (see above dates). Also, since there are inconsistencies in characterizations and events between them, the plays are best studied as individual works rather than part of a trilogy.
Sophocles was also involved in the technical aspect of the Greek theatre as well. He introduced the idea of painted scenery, variations in the types of music sung by the chorus, as well as increasing the size of the cast: the chorus went from twelve members to fifteen, and the number of actors in a production increased from two to three. The elaborate costumes (especially the masks) allowed the actors to portray numerous characters throughout the production. With the addition of a third actor on the stage, plot development and distinguishing between characters became more comprehensive to the audiences.
Although most of Sophocles’ life centered on theatre and writing, he was also involved at a civic level. He served as a general under Pericles in the army and was a key negotiator in the Peloponnesian War. In his role as a priest, Sophocles was concerned with the individual’s need to find his/her own place in the moral and cosmic order of the universe. His plays contain moral lessons that usually pertain to man’s duty to the gods and the avoidance of excessive pride. Late in life, Sophocles acted as a statesman who helped organize the recovery of Athens after it was defeated at Syracuse.
Sophocles was said to have been especially blessed by the gods, and he was highly revered in his society. His physical beauty, strength, sense of fairness, and talent earned him the admiration of those around him, and upon his death in 406 B.C., Athens mourned. A shrine, called Dexion(The Entertainer), was established in his honor, and annual sacrifices were offered in his memory.
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