Dramatic Irony In Oedipus

(Question 6) Discuss the use of irony in Oedipus. Be sure to give two or more specific examples.

Because the broad story of Oedipus was already well known at the time of the plays original productions, Sophocles added many instances of dramatic irony that would be interesting and amusing for the audience. One such instance would be when after Oedipus learns that King Laios’ killer is still in the city and the cause of the plague, declares that he will root whoever it is out, even if he was found in his, Oedipus’s, own household. For viewers who knew that Oedipus was in fact the murder, this passionate declaration would have been amusing and very ironic. However what might be the most ironic plot point of the play would be Oedipus’ self-inflicted

She is shown throughout the play to be very skilled in manipulating people, almost always to the detriment of whom ever she is tricking. It is first learned that she somehow managed to persuade her brother to join Jason and herself in their escape from Colchis eventually murdering her brother to provide a distraction for her escape. This is not the last time she uses her skills in manipulation to kill people. She tricks the daughters of Jason’s uncle, Pelias, to kill their father. Later still she manipulates King Creon into giving her one day to pack her belongings before being exiled, giving her just enough time to enact her plan. (MAYBE ADD EXPLANATION). She lastly plays on Jason’s ego, telling him that he was right to leave her and that she was being ridiculous and only had herself to blame for her exile. She does this so that she can have her sons bring to Jason’s new bride a golden robe as an apology gift and a symbol her blessing. However, she had the garment poisoned and was only lying so that Jason would accidently let her poison his bride. The only person within the story of the play that Medea is shown to manipulate is King Aegeus of Athens. She makes him promise to give her shelter in Athens no matter what, and to stop all who would try to take her away. He agrees because she promises that she will give him potions that will help him have a child. While it doesn’t

Throughout her story Medea is entirely self-motivated, to the point where she doesn’t at all consider the consequences to herself or others for her actions. Throughout “Media” and the backstory of her actions with Jason and the Argonauts it is clear that she will do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals.

Betraying her father and country by aiding Jason in safely stealing the Golden Fleece, and killing her own brother to stall and outrun their pursuers. She is never shown to give pause and think about what these actions will mean for her later in life, her desire to help Jason in his tasks, to escape and her love for him motivate these actions. She turns to murder once again when she and Jason return to his home of Iolcus and find that Jason’s uncle Pelias still will not relinquish the throne. Media is so focused on seeing Jason becoming King that she manipulates and tricks Pelias’s own daughters to kill him in an attempt to make him young