Oedipus The King Literary Analysis Essay

Oedipus is the king of a plague ridden city! The story, Oedipus the King tells an exciting story with dramatic irony. Dramatic Irony is when the reader or audience know an important aspect in the story; however, the character do not know. This literary analysis essay will explain dramatic irony through different symbols, character development, and trying to escape fate. Oedipus’ kingdom, Thebes has been overrun by a plaque. The gods are not happy with the town. It all started years before with Jocasta and the late, King Laos both Oedipus’ parents. When Oedipus was only a baby his parents learned his fate. He will grow up and kill his father then marry his mom. Jocasta and Laos tried to take all the precautionary measures and have someone leave in the mountains and they also had his feet pierced together, so he can not walk. However, Oedipus ended in a different kingdom and was raised by a different set of people. Several years later, he “met” Laos and killed him. Oedipus did not realize that however. only the reader knows what is really going on. Moving to another major factor in the story, symbolism.
The tale uses characters such as Tiresias to explain a different that adds on the dramatic irony. Tireases is a blind prophet who sees the truth in any and everyone. When Oedipus tries to figure out why the people in Thebes are dying he aggressively interrogate the prophet and accusing him of murdering the previous king. Tiresias knows but Oedipus does not. ‘Sight’ and ‘dark’ are used in that scene with the two gentlemen. Tiresias see dark and has told Oedipus he will see dark as well. Dramatic irony also takes a toll on the characters as