Oedipus The King Irony Analysis

Irony and Fate in Oedipus The King

In the play Oedipus The King, Sophocles uses irony to depict how helpless Oedipus is at the hands of the gods who control his fate, and also to depict Oedipus as a tragic hero. By taking advantage of the myth of Oedipus and the fact that the audience knows about the story, Sophocles is able to effectively create tension and show the dilemma between fate and freewill – fate being predetermined and unalterable. Sophocles uses irony to heighten suspense which serve to emphasize the twists of fate and divine power that hound the protagonist. By setting the main character up on a pedestal, Sophocles is able to emphasize Oedipus’ downfall brought about by a combination of his hubris, quest to find the truth and

The Chorus’ initial utmost supplication towards Oedipus can be seen in the quote: “it is not as holding you the equal of Gods, but as the first of men.” The adjective “first” emphasizes his superior social standing in Theban society and the veneration of the general public, suggesting that they are relying on him to save the Kingdom of Thebes. Not only do the audience mirror the chorus’ and citizens’ perception of Oedipus as a source of hope, Sophocles also sets Oedipus on a pedestal in terms of the audience’s first impression of him to heighten the impact of his downfall. Oedipus says, “In avenging him, I serve myself”, also mentioning that the killer of Laius will “suffer exile” even if the criminal is a person close to him. The phrase “I serve myself” indicates that his brutal and wrongful treatment of Creon and Teresias which would be seen by most as demoralizing is a result of his utmost concern for the welfare of the citizens than his desire to protect his personal interests. Therefore, the audience’s first impression of Oedipus is that he is a venerable and noble hero, which make his act of fleeing the kingdom more shocking. This initial vehemence and venerability is utilized by Sophocles to

This can be seen in the disparity between the Chorus’ initial overt praise of Oedipus and their apparent apprehensions about Oedipus’ benevolent acts. The phrase “afraid that… evil silence has burst out” show that the Chorus are becoming more dubious and questioning of his intentions, and how his rash decisions are impacting the kingdom. The chorus states that his disfigurement is “unspeakable to mortal ear, too terrible for eyes to see”. By juxtaposing adjectives such as “unspeakable” and “terrible” with “mortal ear” and “eyes to see”, Sophocles depicts emotions such as revulsion and dismay, which contrast with their initial attitudes of respect and veneration towards Oedipus. Furthermore, the use of an antithesis in the quote “yesterday my morning of light, now my nightof endless darkness” indicates a shift in the Chorus’ perception of Oedipus from a savior to a liability that could worsen The use of irony in the reversal from feelings of reverence to agitation from the people that initially believed in him signal Oedipus’ downfall due to the inevitability of his destiny, indicating that the fate that the prophecy has predicted for him has led to his downfall. The fact that this prophecy causes this ironic shift in perception emphasizes the Oedipus’ inescapable fate, and the curse it afflicts on