Irony found in Oedipus
The play, Oedipus Rex, is a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquity. This play is based upon an even more ancient story in Greek mythology. Even though the audience knew how the play was going to end, Sophocles made situations where there were dramatic and verbal irony roles.
Oedipus left his home in fear that he would kill his father, and marry his mother. Oedipus enters Thebes as the hero that solved the riddle of the sphinz. Oedipus, thinking he has been blessed with good luck, married the widowed Lokaste. He now is the King of Thebes. A couple of years later there is a plague that hits the city. Kreon tells Oedipus that the plague will go away with the murder of Laios. Oedipus tells him that he will find the murderer. It is said that the criminal is still in Thebes, so Oedipus thinks that a man like him will have no problem finding the murderer.
The blind seer told Oedipus the truth, but it was hurtful. Before he was told the truth, Teiresias is described by Oedipus as seer: student of mysteries. Oedipus looks at him for help to find the murderer. Everybody in the city trust and respects him because of the evidence with his introduction as the holy prophet In whom, alone of all men, truth was born." When they speak, Oedipus is shunned and his motives are attacked. Oedipus accuses Teiresias of plotting him and trying to help Kreon become the king. Oedipus claimed that Kreon has brought this decrepit fortune-teller, this collector of dirty pennies, this prophet fraud on him. The citizens dont side with him.
After Oedipus attacks, Teiresias says you with both your eyes you are blind: You cannot see the wretchedness of your life, nor in whose house you live, no, nor with whom. Who are your father and mother? Can you tell me? You don't even know the blind wrongs that you have done them, on earth and in the world below." Since the citizens and Oedipus dont know the truth, the audience understands Teiresias represents insight. Even though Teiresias is physically blind she sees better than Oedipus when he has perfect vision. Teiresias foreshadows " the double lash of your parents curse will whip you. Out of this land someday with only night upon you precious eyes." Having to have the last word, Teiresias leaves telling the truth again. Since he finally realized the truth, he felt the guilty for what he did. He is left with the destruction that he has brought and the shame that is on his family. Since he is going to live the rest of his life by himself and die where his parents said, Kithairon, he said goodbye to his daughters. When Oedipus blinded himself it symbolized the increase of knowledge that he has, and it finally gives him the chance to see. Finally he is able to recognize the flaws that he has made in his life.
Oedipus Rex, is a tragic story where Sophocles left the character Oedipus destroyed by his fate. When he takes his sight, it is not fake. He did it by himself. Teiresias was always able to see because he was not scared of the truth. When he brought the darkness to his eyes, he finally found the truth. How ironic it is, was Oedipus scared of the truth so much to where he didnt want to see the truth? Or was it that the truth was finally given to him close to the end of the play.
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