I Know?
Raymond Yu
Mr.deGroof
Grade 12 literature
10/3/2014
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Irony can be used to emphasize the plot and the themes of a literary work
and to drive the readers or audience to think deeper into the story. Sophocles
made good use of ironies in his play “Oedipus the King”, especially dramatic
ironies. The dramatic ironies in this play highlighted the theme, punctuated
Oedipus' hamartia, and heightened the tragic effect.
In definition, dramatic irony is a literary device in which the audience’s or
reader’s knowledge of events or individuals surpasses that of the characters.
In “Oedipus the King”, the audience clearly knew about Oedipus' background
and the fact that he killed his father Laius and married his mother Jocasta.
However, the characters in the play have no knowledge of that.
The dramatic irony begins in the very beginning of the play when Oedipus
pities the citizens of Thebes, which are suffered by a plague, and mocks the
killer of Laius, who caused the gods to punish Thebes. In page 27, Oedipus
said in front of the crowd “I know too well, you all are sick, yet sick, not one so
sick as I.” In fact, Oedipus knows nothing at that point of the play, and he
surely is the sickest man of all since he killed his father and married his
mother. Moreover, Oedipus derides the killer of Laius (As to the killer, slipping
off alone……I call down every curse I’ve just invoke. P223). Oedipus had no
idea that he is the killer and is actually cursing himself when he thinks he is
cursing the killer of Laius.
The dramatic irony in this part of the play directly relates to one of the
major themes of this play – knowledge. Every word that Oedipus said showed
his lack of knowledge. He has no clue that he had done so many immoral
actions in the past and the fact that he is the one causing the suffering of
Thebes and the one that deserves blame. Furthermore, the dramatic irony
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also foreshadowed his downfall. Oedipus speculated that the killer “may turn
his bloody hand on me (p.219).” Ironically, Oedipus’ action caused his own
tragic end and turned out stabbing his eyes and blinded himself in the end of
the play.
Another dramatic irony took place when Oedipus argues with Tiresias.
Tiresias is an old blind prophet of Apollo. He is the man that has the most
knowledge in this play. He knew that Oedipus is the killer of Laius and the
harmful consequences that will be brought if he tells Oedipus the truth.
Nevertheless, the stubborn and prideful Oedipus forces him to speak. When
Oedipus was told that he was the murderer, he was exasperated. He scorned
Tiresias “…you purblind man: in ears and mind and vision. (p.227)” Ironically,
Tiresias knows much more than Oedipus and it is Oedipus that was blind to
see the truth. This created an ironic contrast: the blind man sees the truth but
the sighted man couldn’t.
This dramatic irony highlighted Oedipus’ hamartia – ignorance to the truth.
Because Oedipus solved the Sphinx’s riddle, saved Thebes and thought that
he successfully escaped from his fate, he became too confident in himself.
His hubris hindered him from the truth. No matter how hard Tiresias tries to
persuade Oedipus, Oedipus just could not accept the fact that he is the one
that caused the suffering of his people. Additionally, this dramatic irony also
relates with the theme “knowledge”. Because Oedipus’ lack of knowledge, he
“blindly” blames Creon and Tiresias for setting him up.
Furthermore, Oedipus attempts to prevent harm and escape from his fate
throughout the whole play, is a huge dramatic irony. All of his attempts to do
so actually brought him harm and lead him to his ominous fate. For example,
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Oedipus wanted to avoid his fate (killing his father and marrying his mother)
by leaving Corinth, in which he thought is his birthplace. However, this action
eventually caused him to accidentally kill his birth father, Laius and marry his
birth mother, Jocasta. Similarly, when Oedipus wanted to end the suffering of
Thebes, the actions led to his own suffering.
These dramatic ironies directly relates to the main theme of this play –
fate and free will. Although Oedipus thinks he has free will, the audiences are
certain that his every action is leading him to his inevitable fate the whole time.
Since the audiences know much more than Oedipus, and the possible
consequences that his action could bring, every decision Oedipus made
underscores his stubbornness and foolishness. The dramatic ironies also
displayed the superiority of god and the hopelessness of human -- No matter
how hard Oedipus tries, he just could not avoid his misery.
The message brought by the messenger of Corinth also contains
dramatic ironies. Initially, Jocasta and Oedipus were glad when they heard
Polybus’ death from the messenger. They thought Oedipus successfully
escaped from his fate (Polybus death is not related to Oedipus) and they have
nothing to worry about anymore. However, Oedipus’ free will once again led
him to his fate. His curiosity caused the messenger eventually led Oedipus to
unveil the truth – his true identity.
Dramatic ironies play a big part in “Oedipus the King”. Over the course of
the play, the dramatic irony makes the audience sympathize with Oedipus and
signified the themes. With knowledge of the truth, at moment we would just
want to tell Oedipus what to do, but we couldn’t! This frustration and
excitement stirs feelings and keeps the audience attached to the play. Without
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this crucial literary element of dramatic irony, this Oedipus the King would be
one dull play.