Apr. 2008 -- It was a month that could be described as "Very Good".

In April 2008, many positive things seemed to be happening. The weather was starting to warm up in many parts of the world, bringing a sense of new beginnings and hope.

People were going about their daily lives with a certain level of optimism. There were various events and activities taking place, from cultural festivals to sports competitions.

Businesses were also showing signs of growth and progress. New products were being launched, and there was an air of excitement in the marketplace.

Overall, April 2008 was a month that left a positive impression on many. It was a time when good things were happening, and people were looking forward to what the future held.

Even though there may have been some challenges and difficulties along the way, the overall feeling was one of "Very Good".

We are still all on Lemnos.

Here, we are Odysseus, compelled to do what we “must” for the so-called “greater good.” Our actions are driven by a sense of duty that sometimes blurs the lines between right and wrong.

We are also Philoctetes, carrying the burden of our personal woundings. The pain we endure is not just physical but also emotional, as we struggle to come to terms with our past and find a way forward.

And then there is Neoptolemeus, the children of our parents, trying to make sense of the complex and often contradictory words of Justice and the law. In this chaotic world, it is difficult to discern which path is the right one.

May we all, in our own ways, find the cure for our ills and bring an end to this senseless war. Let us hope that peace and understanding will prevail, and that we can all move forward towards a better future.

Straight to Heaney — never read Sophocles’ story in the first place — and to finish his Greek retellings. I must admit that perhaps this is the least dramatic of the three — Antigone, Aeneid VI.

And yet there is something precious here too. A dilemma appears from the very beginning. The son of Achilles, to whom we straightaway link honour, honesty and fierceness, is convinced by Odysseus, the eternal trickster, to lie to the abandoned Philoctetes in order to get his bow and win the war.

But once he gets to know the injured, both physically and morally, he knows in his entrails he cannot perpetuate the lie. The Gods may want to win the Trojan war, but surely they cannot want it done by mere trickery.

This is a fable about putting the common good, supposing that’s to win the war for the Greeks, before the individual honour and will, and realizing that what has to be done by the use of force or lie is inherently bad and cannot lead to anything worthy at all.

In the end, Philoctetes bows to the Gods’ will and not to men, especially not to the tricksters’ will, which is quite a similar point to Antigone’s take on Justice. Interesting enough, even if the narrative is quite predictable, and certainly well written by Heaney.

Heaney's retelling brings a fresh perspective to this ancient tale, making it accessible to modern readers. The themes of honour, morality, and the conflict between the individual and the common good are still relevant today.

Despite its predictability, the story manages to engage the reader and make them思考 about the choices and consequences faced by the characters. Heaney's use of language and his ability to bring the characters to life add to the overall charm of the retelling.

Overall, while it may not be the most dramatic of the three retellings, it still has its own merits and is worth reading for anyone interested in Greek mythology or exploring the deeper themes within these ancient stories.

I have a profound sense that I am like the sixth sense of the world. I truly feel that I am an integral part of what was always destined to occur, and now it is finally happening.

We should be suspect of excessive sweet talk, but never close our minds. It was as if a fortunate wind blew me here. I leave, half-ready to believe that a crippled trust might find a way to walk again, and that the half-true rhyme is indeed love.

Heaney has managed to create a magnificent version of Sophocles. It is so beautiful that it overwhelms. It stands on par with the Euripides of Anne Carson or the Shakespeare of Nicanor Parra. His work is a testament to his great talent and the power of literature to touch our hearts and souls.

This is a remarkable book that delves deep into the complex conflict between integrity and expediency.

It focuses on a particular incident during the Trojan war. Philoctetes, who was abandoned on an island several years ago, now has to be convinced to return to Troy by those very people who left him there.

Heaney's translation of this story is truly extraordinary. As is his custom, it manages to be both weird and familiar at the same time. He has the unique ability to make the comic aspects shine through within the tragic narrative.

It's as if he uncovers hidden layers of humor and lightness in a situation that is otherwise filled with darkness and despair.

This book offers a profound exploration of human nature and the difficult choices we often have to make between what is right and what is convenient.

Heaney's translation brings this ancient tale to life in a whole new way, making it accessible and engaging for modern readers.

It's a must-read for anyone interested in Greek mythology, literature, or the study of human behavior.

You will likely want to be familiar with the original.

However, the bulk of the text doesn't deviate too much in its plot points.

The differences mainly lie in the role and focus of the chorus and the kind of phrasing used in adaptation as opposed to direct translation.

Viewing the three characters as embodiments of compromise vs. honor and resentment vs. forgiveness offers an explicit interpretation of something more implicit in the original.

The stage direction is minimal yet adds a great deal to this version, and it reads (partly because of that) much more visually.

I believe this would be most enjoyable if read back-to-back with a more traditional translation, but it can also be appreciated with just a passing acquaintance.

Overall, this adaptation brings a new perspective to the original work while still maintaining its essential elements.

It offers readers a chance to explore the story from a different angle and gain a deeper understanding of its themes.

Whether you are a fan of the original or new to the material, this adapted version is sure to engage and intrigue you.

What a truly remarkable and genius translator Heaney is (was)! His translations have opened up new worlds of literature for countless readers. The way he could capture the essence and beauty of the original works and bring them to life in another language is simply astonishing. Heaney's contributions to the field of translation are immeasurable. His work has inspired generations of readers and translators alike. I deeply miss Heaney and his wonderful translations. They have had a profound impact on my understanding and appreciation of literature. Every time I pick up one of his translated works, I am transported to a different time and place, experiencing the emotions and ideas of the original authors as if they were my own. Heaney's translations are a testament to his talent, passion, and dedication. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest translators of our time.

**Adaptation of Sophocles' "Philoctetes"**

Sophocles' "Philoctetes" is a renowned Greek tragedy that has been the subject of numerous adaptations over the years.

These adaptations often seek to bring the ancient story to a modern audience, while still maintaining the essence and themes of the original work.

One possible adaptation could involve setting the play in a contemporary military context. The character of Philoctetes, who is abandoned on an island due to his festering wound, could be a soldier who has been injured in combat and left behind by his comrades.

The themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of war would still be relevant in this new setting, and could be explored in a more immediate and visceral way.

Another adaptation might focus on the psychological aspects of the story. Philoctetes' isolation and suffering could be depicted through his internal monologues and flashbacks, allowing the audience to gain a deeper understanding of his emotional state.

Overall, the adaptation of "Philoctetes" offers a rich and fertile ground for exploration and interpretation, and can continue to engage and move audiences in new and exciting ways.

I liked this version of the Philoctetes play more than the original (that was translated by Grene).

It is not simply a better translation. The differences go beyond that. There are minor changes that have a significant impact.

These changes make some events and actions sound more believable. As a result, it becomes a better story overall.

The original translation may have had its merits, but this new version takes it to another level.

It engages the reader more deeply and makes the characters and their experiences more relatable.

The tweaks and adjustments in this version enhance the narrative and add a new dimension to the play.

It shows that even small changes can make a big difference in how a story is perceived and enjoyed.

I am glad to have discovered this improved version of the Philoctetes play.

This short play of Sophocles

appears in a streamlined yet muscular verse translation by the late Seamus Heaney.

Just as he did with "Beowulf" and the sixth book of Virgil's "Aeneid," Heaney employs a style that remains true to the original while being vividly modern in its diction.

The power of the play, which I've only had the opportunity to see on video, is effectively captured in this powerful translation.

For anyone who has a passion for ancient classics, this is an absolute must-read.

It offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and depth of Sophocles' work in a contemporary and accessible form.

The translation brings the play to life, allowing readers to engage with the characters and their struggles on a deeper level.

Heaney's masterful use of language enhances the overall impact of the play, making it a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Whether you are a scholar of ancient literature or simply someone who enjoys a good story, this translation of Sophocles' short play is sure to delight and inspire.

If you have any love of Irish drama or Irish dramatists, you absolutely need to read this.

I've been kicking myself for years because I never had the opportunity to see the original performance. In fact, I had no idea this translation of the play even existed until, well, I was no longer in high school as I was in 1990.

Heaney has truly proved himself to be a fine translator. Tackling both Beowulf and Sophocles is no easy task and certainly not for a coward. In this translation of the play, we can view Philoctetes as a possible symbol for the injured nationalist Ireland. He has been truly wronged, but perhaps he is short-sighted in clinging to that wrong and the need for vengeance for far too long. Heaney is light-handed in his use of local dialects. We do get some whinging and an och or two, but we're not overwhelmed by the peculiarities of Ulster's speech in this ancient setting. This retelling places the weight of Odysseus's crime against Philoctetes firmly on the Atrean shoulders, while also calling Philoctetes to account for his own stubbornness.

Read it. Savor the language, from the simple and sweet dedication to the late Robert Fitzgerald, to the painfully apt use of Auden's poetry as an introduction, all the way through to the redemptive end. Read it. It will be extremely beneficial for you.

What is it:
It is a long conversation that takes place in front of a volcano. In this conversation, a trickster and his victim attempt to persuade a young man about his moral duty. However, the young man's answer throughout is simply to obey fate.
Why do I like it:
Evaluating the quality of Sophocles' writing is a challenge for me, so I'll postpone that for now and begin by assessing the quality of Heaney's work in his translation. Heaney's significant achievement here is making an ancient Greek drama highly accessible. He maintains the nuances of tone, which can be comic at times, deceptive at others, and didactic at still others. He also keeps the vocabulary and, perhaps most importantly, the syntax structured for a modern audience. He does all this while losing no poeticism. There is an abundance of beautifully subtle rhyming throughout the play, and meter becomes an important tool for distinguishing different modes of the chorus, for example. The effect of Heaney's language throughout the play is to make this conversation between the three characters seem not like a myth, an epic, or even what one might expect from classical drama, but rather like an ordinary exchange about relatable questions of choice and justice.
This skill in translation and poetry is a remarkable accomplishment and results in a play that seems almost too easy for the audience to understand and engage with. However, there is a risk that this ease makes it difficult to see the complexity of Sophocles' themes. In contrast to my experience reading "The Burial at Thebes" (Heaney's translation of Sophocles' "Antigone"), much of "Philoctetes" seems straightforward. The questions it poses, such as whether the practical utility of a lie justifies its moral consequence, what pity is owed to a man who speaks from hurt and anger rather than seeking empathy, and what duty is worth when the one who calls you to that duty is morally questionable, are presented in a relatively simple way. The structure of the play, essentially one conversation between three characters, makes each character seem to fill a typal role and only that role. Where "Antigone" constantly foregrounded the messiness of its core conflict and the challenging relationships its characters navigated, "Philoctetes" feels flatter. At least, until the very end, where within the last few minutes of dialogue Sophocles introduces several layers of thematic complication. These include the responsibility of moral will to follow fate, the role of heroes in war, and perhaps most interestingly, a view of justice's long arc through history, which requires patience, hope, and a refusal to return violence when wronged.
I don't know the source text well enough to determine how much of this is Sophocles and how much is Heaney. What I can say is that these thematic complications are not woven throughout the rest of the play, and so they feel like a missed opportunity for persuasion rather than a deepening of the play's overall meaning.
You might also like:
I've already mentioned "The Burial at Thebes," which is well worth reading.