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Book synopsis

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 début by one of the world's great writers!

Book details

Book category Books in English Literature & literary studies Classical texts

• Full title: Oedipus
• Subtitle: A Play in Five Acts
• Author: Voltaire
• Language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 148
• EAN: 9781434444424
• ISBN: 9781434444424
• ID: 08501800
• Publisher: Borgo Press
• Weight: 227 g
• Dimensions: 229 × 152 × 9 mm
• Date of publishing: 22. February 2012

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