Oedipus Rex Dramatic Irony Analysis

Irony

The plot of Oedipus Rex uses dramatic irony as a key narrative element. From beginning to the end, Sophocles expose the audience to irony. The result is both shocking and devastating for multiple main characters. Oedipus, for example, states the weight of the punishment Laius’ killer will face. This builds irony because Oedipus is Laius’ killer, but he does not realize it yet. As realization of Oedipus’ crime against the Greek gods begins to set in, so does the climax and resolution of the irony. Overall, Sophocles’ use of dramatic irony is integral to both the progress of the play and to its climax.

At the start of the play, Oedipus states: “There is not one of you so sick as I. For in your case his own particular pain Comes to each singly; but my heart at once Groans for the city, and for myself, and you” (3). In Oedipus’ first few lines, Sophocles introduces irony. Oedipus explains that he is the most sick in the city, and that he is the city. However, the truth is that Oedipus is the sickness. Oedipus reiterates his own destiny, which is the

pain of the city: “Why, Loxias declared That one day I should marry my own mother, and with my own hands shed my father’s blood” (38). Oedipus does not realize that he has fulfilled this curse, and thus compounds the irony within the play. In fact, Sophocles continues to use Oedipus’ ignorance as a means to increase the magnitude of the climax.
For example, While Oedipus was ignorant of his own murder of Laius, he states: “Whichever of you knows the man, by whom Laius the son of Labdacus was slain, Even if he is afraid, seeing he himself Suppressed the facts . . . For he shall not suffer any disparagement, Except to quit the land unscathed” (9). Oedipus, therefore, increases the irony by stating his own punishment. At the same time, Oedipus is one of the witnesses, as he is Laius’ murderer. By asking for someone to step forward and admit to the murder of Laius, Oedipus is asking himself to step up and admit to it. Another fact that adds to the irony of the play is Oedipus’ reasoning for helping Laius: “I benefit myself in aiding him” (6). Oedipus, does not benefit from helping Laius. In fact, Oedipus’ position as the king of Thebes will be lost by helping Laius. Being king meant that Oedipus has to resolve the problem in Thebes, and thus gets thrown out for doing so. By not realizing this fact, Sophocles is able to build up the irony using the same idea, ignorance. Sophocles only allows Oedipus to realize what he has done at the climax of the play. However, just because Sophocles cannot use Oedipus’ ignorance after this point, does not mean that Sophocles cannot continue to use irony.
Soon after the climax of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus blinds himself and inadvertently takes on the role of Tiresias.

“What followed; snatching from her dress gold pins Wherewith she was adorned, he lifted them, And smote the nerves of his own eyeballs; saying Something like this, they should see no more” (45). As such, Oedipus becomes the full focus of irony, as he now knows the truth, while wishing that he never knew it. Oedipus could not see the truth when he had his sight. As such, Oedipus went on a search to cure his ignorance, while Tiresias was fully aware of the truth (12). However, searching for the truth reveals that Oedipus is the problem, and it was hidden in plain sight. Lastly, Oedipus’ life comes to full circle as he now accepts the role of one who knows, while wishing he doesn’t know. A question to investigate is how Oedipus’ character changes throughout the play, which is revealed by changes in his

tone.