Dramatic Irony In Oedipus Rex Essay

Dramatic Irony in Oedipus Rex

For whoever killed Laius might decide to raise his hand against me. So, acting on behalf of Laius, I benefit myself, too (Sophocles 10).

It is intended that Oedipus wants to find the murderer of Laius not only to save Thebes, but incase the murderer decides to kill Oedipus since he is king as he did Laius when he was king. What is unintended is that Oedipus himself is the murderer so he is trying to protect himself from himself, which ultimately fails because he pierces his own eyes.

I shall make a proclamation, speaking as one who has no connection with this affair, nor with the murderer (Sophocles 14).

It is perceived here that to Oedipus, he has no relativity to the death of Laius or to his murderer, but the truth is that Oedipus does have all the connection there is to have with both because he is the murderer of Laius.

Insult me, go on-but that, you will find, is what makes me great (Sophocles 30).

It is intended here that Oedipus doesnt care if Tiresias insults him because he believe he has already saved Thebes and believes he will rid the city of Laius killer, but it is unintended that the insults are actually the truth of Oedipus, that they are the answers which he is looking for which ultimately dooms Thebes because Oedipus doesnt realize he is Laius murderer.

If it turns out that he tells the same story as you-then I, at least, will be cleared of responsibility (Sophocles 58).

It is perceived here that Oedipus believes that if the Shepard tells the same story as Jocasta, then Oedipus has no responsibility because then he is guaranteed not the killer, but it is unperceived that regardless of the Shepards story, Oedipus is the killer because the Shepard just lies, so Oedipus still bears responsibility.

Theres nothing sweeter than the sight of ones parents (Sophocles 69).

The evident meaning hear is that to Oedipus, the sight of who he thought were his parents, Polybus and Meropie, was a comforting sight for him, but the hidden message is that he actually sleeping with his real mother but is unaware of it, leading to believe that if he knew he was sleeping with his own mother that would not be a sweet sight.