Sophocles (c. 497/6 - 406/5 BCE) was a prominent ancient Greek playwright and one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens, alongside Aeschylus and Euripides. Sophocles is renowned for his significant contributions to Greek tragedy. He wrote over 120 plays, though only seven have survived in complete form. He was known for his innovations in dramatic structure, including the introduction of a third actor and the use of painted scenery. Some of his major works are Oedipus Rex: Perhaps his most famous play, it explores themes of fate, identity, and tragedy through the story of Oedipus, the king of Thebes, whose quest to rid his city of a plague leads to a devastating revelation about his own past. Antigone: A continuation of the Oedipus saga, this play deals with themes of family loyalty, law, and justice, focusing on Antigone's defiance of King Creon's edict to give her brother a proper burial. Electra: This play centers on Electra's quest for vengeance against her mother, Clytemnestra, for the murder of her father, Agamemnon. Sophocles made significant contributions to the development of Greek tragedy, including increasing the number of actors on stage and enhancing the use of dramatic irony. His plays often explore complex characters and moral dilemmas, reflecting the human condition and the interplay between individual agency and fate. Sophocles is remembered as one of the greatest playwrights of ancient Greece, whose works continue to be studied and performed for their dramatic power and exploration of fundamental human issues.
