The Theban Plays.
SOPHOCLES. WITH A NEW TRANSLATION BY EF WALTING [RAYMOND CHANDLER],.
The Theban Plays.
The Theban Plays First Penguin Classics Edition; From the Library of Raymond Chandler
Great Britain: Penguin Books, 1947.
$600.00
In Stock
Item Number: 149033
First Penguin Classics edition of the thrilling trilogy about the fate of the royal family Thebes. 16mo, original wrappers. From the library of Raymond Chandler with his library stamp to the front free endpaper: Raymond Chandler 6005 Camino de la Costa La Jolla, California OCT 13 1949. Raymond Chandler was a pivotal figure in 20th-century American literature, renowned for his contributions to the hardboiled crime genre. His work, particularly through the chronicles of private detective Philip Marlowe, provided a nuanced examination of moral ambiguity, societal corruption, and the complexities of justice. Chandler’s novels, including The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely, explored themes of class, power, and alienation, while also engaging with the conventions of noir fiction. Marked by its economy of language and careful attention to atmosphere, his writing elevated the detective genre, merging literary qualities with the structural elements of crime fiction. His literary legacy remains central to ongoing academic discourse in the fields of literature, cultural studies, and criminology. Chandler moved to California in the 1920s, eventually settling in La Jolla, a coastal community in San Diego County. His time in California, particularly in La Jolla, had a significant influence on his writing. The stark contrast between the region’s natural beauty and the social complexities of its urban centers shaped the settings and themes in his works. Previous owner signature along with Raymond Chandler’s signature. Near fine with light bumping and toning to the extremities.
The Theban Plays by Sophocles is a trilogy of ancient Greek tragedies that centers on the tumultuous fate of the royal family of Thebes. Comprising Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone, the plays examine themes of fate, moral responsibility, familial loyalty, and the limits of human agency. Oedipus Rex tells the story of Oedipus, the king who unwittingly fulfills a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother, leading to his tragic downfall. In Oedipus at Colonus, the exiled Oedipus seeks redemption at the end of his life, while Antigone focuses on Oedipus's daughter, who defies the king's decree to honor her brother with a proper burial. Through these works, Sophocles explores the conflict between personal duty and state law, as well as the inevitability of fate, contributing to the enduring legacy of Greek tragedy and the exploration of human nature.
