Oedipus Rex Research Paper
Akim Alimi
Professor Kathleen S. Paskin
English 112
2/23/06
Oedipus Rex: Dramatic Irony Irony is the use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. The play Oedipus Rex especially uses dramatic irony. It is the theatrical effect achieved by leading an audience or reader to understand the disparity between a situation and the accompanying speeches, while the characters in the play remain unaware of the disparity. From the beginning of the play, Oedipus is ignorant of the terrible acts he has committed: the murder of his father and the marrying of his mother. Every word and action of Oedipus in regards to the murder associates itself with dramatic irony. For instance,
Professor Kathleen S. Paskin
English 112
2/23/06
Oedipus Rex: Dramatic Irony Irony is the use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning. The play Oedipus Rex especially uses dramatic irony. It is the theatrical effect achieved by leading an audience or reader to understand the disparity between a situation and the accompanying speeches, while the characters in the play remain unaware of the disparity. From the beginning of the play, Oedipus is ignorant of the terrible acts he has committed: the murder of his father and the marrying of his mother. Every word and action of Oedipus in regards to the murder associates itself with dramatic irony. For instance,