Irony is a fundamental part of Greek tragedies. This irony is created when the audience knows something that the characters in the play do not. Through this use of dramatic irony, the audience feels more engaged in the story, creating a feeling of suspense and foreshadowing later events. In the Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex, Sophocles’ use of irony does just that. Through the speech and actions of Oedipus, Iocastê, and others, Sophocles utilizes irony to allude to future events, create anticipation, and produce dark humor in order to keep the audience entertained.
Sophocles’ use of dramatic irony foreshadows future events. After learning that in order to save the city of Thebes, Oedipus must punish the killer of Laïos, he makes a public speech, saying, “I take the son’s part, just as though I were his son.” (Scene I,14) This quote is ironic because, as the audience knows, …show more content…
In Oedipus’ speech about finding the killer of Laïos, Oedipus says, “Until now I was a stranger to this tale, / As I had been a stranger to the crime.” (Scene I, 13) In this example, the irony is in the term “stranger,” as Oedipus is unknowingly the person who committed the crime. Therefore, he is no stranger to this story, as he is the one starring in it. In the same speech, he wishes that the killer’s “life be consumed in evil and wretchedness.” (Scene I, 14) The irony is that Oedipus is the one who murdered Laïos. Oedipus is condemning himself and indirectly laying out his own tragic fate. Oedipus' story begins with him being seen as the city's hero, as he "saved [the city] / From the Sphinx," (Prologue, 5) a violent monster, threatening the city. However, after Oedipus blinds himself, the chorus rejects him, saying "I can not even / Look at you, poor ruined one…No. / You make me shudder." (Éxodos, 71) What is ironic is that Oedipus, who was once a hero celebrated by the citizens of Thebes, is now an exiled monster even worse than the
Sophocles’ use of dramatic irony foreshadows future events. After learning that in order to save the city of Thebes, Oedipus must punish the killer of Laïos, he makes a public speech, saying, “I take the son’s part, just as though I were his son.” (Scene I,14) This quote is ironic because, as the audience knows, …show more content…
In Oedipus’ speech about finding the killer of Laïos, Oedipus says, “Until now I was a stranger to this tale, / As I had been a stranger to the crime.” (Scene I, 13) In this example, the irony is in the term “stranger,” as Oedipus is unknowingly the person who committed the crime. Therefore, he is no stranger to this story, as he is the one starring in it. In the same speech, he wishes that the killer’s “life be consumed in evil and wretchedness.” (Scene I, 14) The irony is that Oedipus is the one who murdered Laïos. Oedipus is condemning himself and indirectly laying out his own tragic fate. Oedipus' story begins with him being seen as the city's hero, as he "saved [the city] / From the Sphinx," (Prologue, 5) a violent monster, threatening the city. However, after Oedipus blinds himself, the chorus rejects him, saying "I can not even / Look at you, poor ruined one…No. / You make me shudder." (Éxodos, 71) What is ironic is that Oedipus, who was once a hero celebrated by the citizens of Thebes, is now an exiled monster even worse than the