Sophocles' Ajax

This is a straightforward and vigorous modern translation of Sophocles' great play. Daly's translation never gets bogged down with archaisms or a false sense of formality. Truthfully, anything that brings this play to a wider audience is to be commended. The book lacks scene divisions and notes, so it may not be appropriate for classroom use. It's a welcome addition to the library of translations of Sophocles' plays. ( )

I found that this text would work excellently for high school or undergraduates. It provides a reasonable modern translation that presents the text in a slightly new way that I think may be more accessible to the younger set, or simply those who have not yet been exposed to the works of Sophocles. I can certainly appreciate that undertaking. It's no Norton Critical Edition, but that shouldn't deter an interested reader from checking out the book. The story of Ajax is fascinating and often overlooked in mainstream circles--most high schools read about Oedipus, not Ajax. Daly's done a good job here for what I would call a specific audience. ( )

I can appreciate this modern translation of Sophocles' Ajax for what it is: simple, elegant, direct and easily read.

Could it be improved? Perhaps. Would it be better with notes on translation, and additional background information? Absolutely. ( )

All in all a decent translation. The text is clear, the print is large (perfect for reading aloud), and the price is reasonable. That being said, the lack of notes is a serious detriment. Considering that this play was written over 2000 years ago, a few notes on conventions of Greek drama, as well as perhaps some basics of Greek mythology would have been appreciated. Worth getting if you already know a fair amount on the subject, or if you're reading purely for pleasure. I wouldn't suggest this book in an academic setting, even an intro class. ( )

Dennis Daly's new translation of Sophocles' Ajax is quite serviceable and readable. The large dark print lends itself to dramatic readings. This edition, however, would have benefited from more extensive notes on the text. A twenty-first century reader needs information about the conventions of classical Greek theater, Homer's Ajax, and patronymics, to name a few of the unfamiliar elements that need notation. Such background information is missing from Daly's publication. Also the lines are not numbered so it is difficult to refer to passages in the play. There is a short biographical sketch of the translator, but nowhere does it refer to his knowing Greek.

Those interested might want to check out a very good translation of Ajax by Herbert Golder and Richard Pevear published in 1999. At 100 pages it contains much supplemental material. The style of dialog is more elevated, almost Shakespearean. Daly's dialog, on the other hand, is clear and spare.

The play itself is rather shocking. We see a mad raging Ajax on stage who has just tortured and slaughtered some animals, thinking they were his own commanders, and his subsequent suicide. Daly's forward links the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder we see today to Ajax's tragedy. It allows us to appreciate the play in a new context, and to see PTSD as having roots so deep in the past. ( )