Innovations in Interpretation and Commentary

The originality of Markantonatos’ commentary lies in its ability to move beyond traditional philological annotation towards interpretive synthesis. Each note combines linguistic explanation with thematic reflection, connecting textual detail to larger ethical and philosophical questions. Among the most significant interpretive advances are:

• A re-evaluation of Oedipus’ moral agency, arguing that his transformation at Colonus represents not passive resignation but deliberate spiritual self-reconciliation.

• A nuanced analysis of the Chorus, viewed as a collective moral consciousness evolving in response to Oedipus’ presence.

• A reassessment of the play’s theology, showing how Sophocles integrates civic religion, hero-cult, and personal salvation into a coherent dramatic theology.

• An exploration of Sophoclean narrative structure through the lens of repetition and recognition (anagnorisis), revealing deep continuities with Oedipus Tyrannus and Antigone.

Equally innovative is the commentary’s attention to the dramaturgical mechanics of emotion: how rhythm, syntax, and choral movement translate metaphysical ideas into theatrical experience. This integration of philology, dramaturgy, and ethics positions the edition as a model for future scholarship on ancient tragedy.