Aias
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Author Description
Based on the conviction that only translators who write poetry themselves can properly recreate the celebrated Greek tragedies, the Greek Tragedy in New Translation series offers new translations that go beyond the literal meaning of the Greek in order to evoke the poetry of the originals. Under the general editorship of Peter Burian and Alan Shapiro, each volume includes a critical introduction, commentary on the text, full stage directions, and a glossary of the mythical and geographical references in the plays.Brought boldly to life by Herbert Golder and Richard Pevear's translation and contextualized by Herbert Golder's eloquent introduction, this early Sophoclean tragedy tells the story of the Homeric hero better known as Ajax, who was second only to Achilles among the Greek warriors. In Greek tradition, Aias figures as the archaic warrior who dies in shame after his betrayal by the Greeks. Sophocles turns tradition inside out, portraying Aias' suicide not as a disgrace but as heroism. He endows Aias suicide with a meaning radically different from previous versions of the Aias myth--Aias is not the hero whom time has passed by, but rather the man who steps beyond time. Most previous versions and interpretations have equivocated over Sophocles' bold vision. This edition of Aias translates precisely that transformation of the hero from the bygone figure to the man who transcends time.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
The central conflict ignites when the warrior Aias, denied the armor of Achilles, descends into a madness that leads him to slaughter livestock and ultimately face his own ruin. Driven by a profound sense of betrayal by his Greek commanders, Aias struggles to reconcile his archaic code of honor with a shifting political landscape that no longer values his singular prowess. The narrative framework utilizes the conventions of classical Greek drama, employing a chorus to mediate between the protagonist's internal isolation and the external pressures of the army. Aias must navigate the physical reality of his disgrace and the logical constraints of a world where his heroic identity has been rendered obsolete by the cunning of his peers.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Utilization of the traditional Greek chorus to provide moral and social commentary.
- Exploration of the tension between individual honor and collective military authority.
- Use of dramatic irony to heighten the tragedy of the protagonist's descent.
- Inclusion of extensive stage directions to facilitate modern performance.
- Detailed commentary on the text to clarify archaic cultural references.
- A critical introduction that contextualizes the play within the broader Sophoclean canon.
- A glossary of mythical and geographical terms for reader accessibility.
- Poetic translation style that prioritizes the rhythmic and emotional resonance of the original Greek.
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently highlight the translation's success in capturing the stark, uncompromising nature of Aias's final hours. Discussion often centers on the radical reinterpretation of the protagonist's suicide, which the text frames as an act of transcendence rather than mere defeat. Scholars appreciate how the editors balance the play's historical weight with a contemporary linguistic clarity that makes the verse accessible. The balance between the character's intense internal monologue and the external political machinations of the Greek camp remains a primary focus for those analyzing the work's thematic depth. This edition is widely regarded as a significant contribution to the study of Sophoclean tragedy.
Page Count:
112
Publication Date:
1999-05-06
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195128192
ISBN-13:
9780195128192
Drama
Dramatic works
Greek Tragedy
Classical
Plays
Mythology
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