Women of Trakhis

Among the most celebrated plays of ancient Athens, Women of Trakhis is one of seven surviving dramas by the great Greek playwright, Sophocles, now available from Harper Perennial in a vivid and dynamic new translation by award-winning poet Robert Bagg.

A powerful drama centered on a desperate wife’s attempts to hold onto her wandering husband, the great Herakles, Women of Trakhis is the tragic tale of how age-old jealousy takes down one of the ancient world’s most feared and storied heroes. This is Sophocles, vibrant and alive, for a new generation.

This essential edition brings the classic tragedy to life for modern readers, exploring:

• A Tragic Hero’s Downfall: Follow the legendary Herakles as his own choices and his wife Deianeira’s desperate love become the instruments of his ruin.
• A Woman’s Desperation: Witness Deianeira’s agonizing dilemma as she turns to a dark love charm in a last-ditch effort to keep her husband, unleashing a catastrophe she never intended.
• Vivid New Translation: Experience Sophocles’ powerful poetry through the dynamic and accessible new version by award-winning translator Robert Bagg.
• Landmark of Classical Drama: Discover one of only seven surviving plays from Sophocles, a master playwright of ancient Athens, in a text designed for students, actors, and modern readers alike.