IRONY ANNOTATIONS FOR OEDIPUS REX
Writing Situation: Because the ancient Greek audience of Sophocles’ play, Oedipus the King, already would have known the story of Oedipus, the
play itself relies on irony for its dramatic appeal. Sophocles employs all three types of irony—verbal, situational, and dramatic—in order to create
suspense and induce, within the audience, the emotions of pity and fear.
Go back through the play of Oedipus the King, and make a chart of annotations that includes examples of irony from the text (line number included
and the type of irony), the ironic meaning, and the effect on the reader. You need to include examples of dramatic, situational and verbal irony.
Find as many examples as you can – minimum number of 10 examples. You will turn these in for a grade Wednesday October 23, 2013.
FOR EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE
1.
“Oedipus…what do you
know?” (54) – dramatic irony
IRONIC MEANING
EFFECT ON READER
The chorus asks Oedipus for knowledge,
but he doesn’t even know who he is.
The reader senses the people of Thebes
are in terrible danger.
After your chart is finished you will begin:
Analyzing irony: Next, use your irony annotation chart to write the following essay. Sophocles’ mastery of irony is evident in Oedipus the King, a
timeless tragedy. In an insightful, well-organized interpretive essay, analyze Sophocles’ use irony in Oedipus the King. Be sure to interpret all three
types of irony and provide two examples of each type. You must support each of your claims with specific passages from the play. Formulate a
clear thesis statement, support that thesis with 2-3 body paragraphs containing valid and relevant evidence, and finish with a conclusion sentence.
Use smooth transitions to build coherence. Your body paragraphs should provide clear claims, the best possible evidence (at least two examples),
and detailed analysis. Use parenthetical citations (either line numbers or page numbers) to document quotations. Make sure to revise, edit and
proofread your papers. You will turn the irony chart and typed, MLA formatted essay in for a grade Wednesday October 23, 2013.
IRONY ANNOTATIONS FOR OEDIPUS REX
Writing Situation: Because the ancient Greek audience of Sophocles’ play, Oedipus the King, already would have known the story of Oedipus, the
play itself relies on irony for its dramatic appeal. Sophocles employs all three types of irony—verbal, situational, and dramatic—in order to create
suspense and induce, within the audience, the emotions of pity and fear.
Go back through the play of Oedipus the King, and make a chart of annotations that includes examples of irony from the text (line number included
and the type of irony), the ironic meaning, and the effect on the reader. You need to include examples of dramatic, situational and verbal irony.
Find as many examples as you can – minimum number of 10 examples. You will turn these in for a grade Wednesday October 23, 2013.
FOR EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE
1.
“Oedipus…what do you
know?” (54) – dramatic irony
IRONIC MEANING
EFFECT ON READER
The chorus asks Oedipus for knowledge,
but he doesn’t even know who he is.
The reader senses the people of Thebes
are in terrible danger.
After your chart is finished you will begin:
Analyzing irony: Next, use your irony annotation chart to write the following essay. Sophocles’ mastery of irony is evident in Oedipus the King, a
timeless tragedy. In an insightful, well-organized interpretive essay, analyze Sophocles’ use irony in Oedipus the King. Be sure to interpret all three
types of irony and provide two examples of each type. You must support each of your claims with specific passages from the play. Formulate a
clear thesis statement, support that thesis with 2-3 body paragraphs containing valid and relevant evidence, and finish with a conclusion sentence.
Use smooth transitions to build coherence. Your body paragraphs should provide clear claims, the best possible evidence (at least two examples),
and detailed analysis. Use parenthetical citations (either line numbers or page numbers) to document quotations. Make sure to revise, edit and
proofread your papers. You will turn the irony chart and typed, MLA formatted essay in for a grade Wednesday October 23, 2013.