Irony in Oedipus the King - 2291 Words

THE TRAGEDY OF OEDIPUS Tragedy, in English, is a word used to indicate other words such as misfortune, calamity, disaster and many more such words. However, this word has another dramatic meaning, not far from its original meaning in English. In Western theatre it is a genre that presents a heroic or moral struggle of an individual that leads to his or her ultimate defeat or misfortune. When the audience and reader share the playwrights particular social perception and social values they easily empathize and relate with the fall of the protagonist (main character) from a prominent and high position into a state of misery or total destruction. On the other hand, Aristotle defined the term ‘tragedy as a man not preeminently virtuous and†¦show more content†¦The Corinthian shepherd tries to appease him by revealing the fact that Oedipus was the adopted son of the Corinthian King and Queen. He also states that Oedipus birthplace is actually Thebes and not Corinth as he. At this point Oedipus now w ants to find the truth about who his real parents are. Coincidentally, the witness of Laius murder is also the man who had handed over the child Oedipus to a Corinthian shepherd. After persuasion from Oedipus, the witness, a Theban shepherd, reveals the horrifying fact that Oedipus was the son of Laius and Jocasta. At this stage, Oedipus realizes the truth of the situation and learns an unknown fact about who he is. It is this realization that marks the climax of the play. All his noble intentions of investigating Laius murder lead to his own disastrous end. The outcome of the climax is that a devastated Jocasta commits suicide by hanging herself and Oedipus, unable to leave with his shameful existence, ends up blinding himself. Oedipus curse falls on himself, and he makes a request to leave Thebes. In a miserable condition, he pleads with Creon to banish him from the kingdom. The play ends with Creons wise words to Oedipus. He says, Do not wish to keep all of the power. You had power but that power did not follow you through life. This means, in the case of Oedipus, that he wanted and had his way in all things. But in the end, hisShow MoreRelatedTheme Of Irony In Oedipus The King827 Words   |  4 PagesThe presence of irony in â€Å"Myth† by Muriel Rukeyser, â€Å"My Oedipus Complex† by Frank O’Connor, and â€Å"Oedipus the King† by Sophocles link these three literary pieces together. However, each of the works utilize different forms of irony in different levels to specifically present their message. In Rukeyser’s short poem, the narrator uses verbal irony through Oedipus’ conversation with the Sphinx and dramatic irony through Oedipus’ shorthanded conclusions. O’Connor uses situational irony in his short storyRead MoreTheme Of Irony In Oedipus The King913 Words   |  4 PagesSophocles’, Oedipus the King, Oedipus’ power and knowledge are unparalleled by man as he is the only man able to solve the Riddle of the Sphinx and save Thebes. Yet after receiving an unpleasant reading from the Oracle at Delphi during a quest to find his true self, Oedipus directly challenges Apollo, and his hubris ends up preventing him from finding out who he really is; The murderer of his father, King Laius, and husband of his own mother, Jocasta. Throughout the play, Sophocles uses irony to exposeRead MoreTheme Of Dramatic Irony In Oedipus The King1057 Words   |  5 Pagesentire play, Oedipus the king by Sophocles dramatic irony. Dramatic irony is when audience is aware what is happening but the character is not. Sophocles uses dramatic irony to show us Oedipus’s character and what is expected to occur. The intention of using irony also allows us to sustain our interest in the play and keep us intrigued by what’s happening. Ironically, the play begins with dramatic irony. Suddenly after the death of King Laius, A plague has hit the city of Thebes. Since Oedipus was theRead MoreEssay on Irony in Sophocles Oedipus the King795 Words   |  4 PagesIrony in Sophocles Oedipus In the play Oedipus, irony is used frequently as and as eloquently by Sophocles to the reveal theme of seeking knowledge. Not knowing the King of Thebes, Oedipus, gives speeches on finding the murderer of the King of Laias and how wretched the poor soil will be when the truth is revealed. Then once more I must bring what is dark to light†¦, whoever killed King Laios might- who knows?-might decide at any moment to kill me as well. By avenging the murder of theRead MoreThe Role of Irony and Fate in Oedipus The King by Sophocles2933 Words   |  12 PagesPlague and Health Another major theme in Oedipus the King deals with the ideas of plague and health. This theme can be taken as both literal, but metaphorical as well. This theme is literal in the sense that there is a genuine plague affecting Thebes. The health in Thebes only occurs at the end of the play when the plague has disappeared and after Oedipus blinds himself. While others may have let the plague take its course, Oedipus decided to consult the oracle in Delphi, after seeing his peopleRead MoreOedipus The King : Dramatic Irony Greatly Influenced The Audience s Perception Of Oedipus1017 Words   |  5 PagesLiterary Essay Tenzin.Youden In Sophocles’ play â€Å"Oedipus the King†, dramatic irony greatly influences the audience’s perception of Oedipus. When creating Oedipus the King, Sophocles understood that his audience would know the outcome of the play before the completion, so he was determined to create a play, which was interesting, yet deliberately revealing at the same time. Sophocles purposely provided explicit scenes withinRead More The Use of Dramatic Irony in Sophocles Oedipus the King Essay2378 Words   |  10 PagesThe Use of Dramatic Irony in Sophocles Oedipus the King Tragedy as an element of the human experience has been the subject of many of the great works of literature written in the Western tradition. For some, tragedy embodies the highest form of humanity. It is through suffering that we are able to reveal ourselves most completely. Others see tragedy as an element of morality where we are to learn well the lessons of those who tempt the gods. The Ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, outlinedRead MoreEssay on Sophocles Clever Use of Dramatic Irony in Oedipus the King831 Words   |  4 PagesDramatic irony depends on the audience’s knowing something that the character does not, and in this play the audience knows Oedipus faith before he knows it himself. In this play there are several parts where Sophocles conveys his plot through dramatic irony. Dramatic irony underlines how partial human perceptive can be even when it is most reasonable and how agonizing it can be to be the costs of the misinterpretation, in some sense foresee able. Dramatic irony is also use by Sophocles to make theRead MoreVerbal Irony In Oedipus Rex941 Words   |  4 Pages‘Oedipus Rex’ is a tragic play written by Sophocles, that is known for its countless examples of irony found within it. The story of Oedipus is a classic Greek tragedy. Oedipus is the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta in Thebes. The Oracle at Delphi reveals to them the tragic fate within their family. Their son Oedipus was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. To try and prevent this horrendous fate, King Laius sends his son to be terminated at the mountain of Kithairon. Although KingRead More Effective dramatic irony Essay815 Words   |  4 Pages Effective Dramatic Irony nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In Oedipus The King, Sophocles creates rising action by asking dramatic questions throughout the play. These questions generate suspense in the audience when they become dramatic irony and amplify the climax. During the falling action, Oedipus is engulfed in misery when he experiences a reversal of fortune. Finally, Oedipus goes through a discovery process ending when he discovers his tragic resolution. According to Aristotle, a tragedy consist