Dramatic Irony In Oedipus The King

Throughout Oedipus Rex, Oedipus demonstrates, through dramatic irony, hamartia, and catharsis, changes from an ignorant egomaniac to a humble wanderer after everything is taken away. Dramatic irony, where the reader knows something the characters don’t, is abundant in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. For instance, when Tiresias, the profit, and Oedipus are exchanging words in an argument, Tiresias says, “I say that you are Laius’ murder”, is never accepted by most of the characters, yet it was made clear to the audience that Oedipus killed Laius (Sophocles 16). As Oedipus learns more about his actions already made clear to the audience, he ends up humbling himself by taking away his eyesight and being banished. Also, when a messenger is explaining
When Oedipus is trying to convince himself he did not commit the crime, he said, “You were just telling me that he made mention of ‘robbers’ – ‘men’ – as Laius’ murderers”, in an effort to prove himself innocent (Sophocles 32). Oedipus is showing his ignorance as he is trying to achieve his own desires and keep himself free. This was also the for him to make poor decisions and bring his downfall to when he becomes blind and banished. As Oedipus’ is trying to convince the old man to tell the actual truth, he says, “Tell the whole truth, or you will come to it!” (Sophocles 43). This also shows how Oedipus is reluctant to accept the truth when it is being said showing his ignorance which is part of the reason he made the errors leading to his downfall. In summary, Oedipus’ ignorance and egotism helped him make poor decisions that led to his
When the messenger is stating how Jocasta dies, he reveals she was “self-slain” (Sophocles 46). Oedipus’ wife and mother, Jocasta, kills herself when she learns that her husband is the son she and Laius tried to kill. This helps start the movement to the point where Oedipus’ catharsis occurs. It also represents how Oedipus’ pursuit of desire caused many problems in his life. “Me miserable! Whither must I go!” (Sophocles 48). This is a large point in Oedipus’ life and where he emotionally discharges and accepts his actions and the consequences by blinding and banishing himself. It is the point where he fully transitions to an ignorant egomaniac in the pursuit of desires to a humble wanderer with everything taken. In total, the catharsis Is the point of emotional discharge started by Jocasta’s suicide where Oedipus blinds and banishes himself; turning himself into a humble