Irony in Oedipus Rex
Sophocles, the playwright of Oedipus Rex, often wrote his scripts based on the events in Greek mythology, which were common knowledge to the people who viewed his productions. Oedipus Rex has been regarded as one of the greatest Sophoclean tragedies. This success is largely attributed to the brilliant interplay of dramatic irony in the play. Professor Ratcliffe of Montclair University has said this of the play's ironical value,"The exact nature of fate, the uncontrollable forces that influence us, is clearly shown in the role that the gods play in revealing the truth of the oracle's prophecies to Oedipus. Although he does all he can to live honestly and avoid the crimes prophesied for him, Oedipus can't escape the relentless fate that pursues him. Creon tries to manipulate fate in his favor, but he fails. Inevitably the oracle's prophecies are fulfilled."From the play's very beginning of the play Oedipus is ignorant of the dreadful acts he has committed: the murder of his father and marrying his mother. However, the audience is well aware of these facts. Thus, every word, every reaction of Oedipus' with regards to the murder of King Laius lends itself to dramatic irony. "The contrast between huma
Irony also entices viewers to see how the events occurring mentally affect the main character. This curse does not come true until the end of the play, when Oedipus and his family are doomed to a life a pain and suffering. Oedipus's entire existence can be thought of ironical. Oedipus would not have sent Creon to the oracle if he believed events were determined randomly. Unbenounced to him, his cursing Laius' murderer to live a life of wretchedness is damning no one but himself. It is ironic that a man with no eyesight can indeed "see" so well. " (Oedipus the King ), the God Apollo proclaimed to Oedipus. Many a man before you, in his dreams, has shared his mother's bed. 70) By using irony in a play, playwrights can make a story that has perhaps been told before more interesting. If he believed that life was ruled by chance he have never fled Corinth after hearing the prophecy of the oracle that he would kill his father and sleep with his mother. This is what Tiresias tells Oedipus in their conversation: "Blind, having seenPoor, having rolled in wealth,-he, with a staffFeeling his way, to other lands shall go!And by his sons shall he be known at onceFather and brother, and of her who bore himHusband and son, sharing his father's bed,His father's murd'rer. "Fear? What should a man fear? It's all chance, chance rules our lives. It would not be until Oedipus himself was physically blind that he would see the error of his ways.
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