Seamus Heaney (Re-broadcast)

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Although it was written centuries ago, the Greek tragedy “Antigone” still speaks today. Sophocles’ play chronicles a classic struggle between an individual’s conscience and the power of the state. Along with the bloodletting common to Greek tragedy, there are lessons about pride, and duty to family, and loyalty to country and to self.

Seamus Heaney, the Nobel Prize-winning poet, is known for breathing new language into old works, now has his own translation of “Antigone.” The Irish writer credited for bringing readers back to the story of “Beowulf,” has a keen ear for the ancient word and an eye for its modern resonance.

Guests:

Seamus Heaney, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature and author of numerous books of poetry, prose, and criticism. His newest translation is “The Burial at Thebes: A Version of Sophocles’ Antigone.”