Sophocles

Sophocles is the master of the Greek tragic form. His plays, most notably 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Antigone,' established the fundamental rules of dramatic irony and character-driven conflict. By focusing on the individual's struggle against divine will and societal law, Sophocles created narratives that are as emotionally devastating today as they were in 5th-century Athens. His work remains the primary reference point for the structure of tragedy, and his ability to craft tight, inevitable plots makes him a perennial favorite for modern adaptations.