Irony in Oedipus Rex
Directions: Refer to the Handbook of Literary and Historical Terms in the back of your World Literature text. Read the information on the
examples of irony below. Then, define the following terms IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Provide at least two examples (except for verbal) of
each type of irony from the play. Provide page and line numbers for each example. Be aware the example of verbal irony doubles as
dramatic irony.
IRONY: Contrast or discrepancy between expectation and reality
Types of Irony
VERBAL IRONY:
When a writer says one thing but means
another
Examples (with line and page numbers)
p. 217
“Oedipus, the simple man, who knows
nothing” (l. 383)
Explanation of Irony
Oedipus was not “simple” and” knew nothing”
because he solved the riddle of the sphinx.
He has exhibited excessive pride in himself
throughout the play and doesn’t really mean
this about himself. This is the only true
example of verbal irony in the entire play.
SITUATIONAL IRONY:
What actually happens is the opposite of what
is expected or appropriate
DRAMATIC IRONY:
Already know something important that the
characters do not know
p.229
“How strange a shadowy memory crossed my
mind, / Just now while you were speaking; it
chilled my heart” (ll. 685-86)
Jocasta shared the information about her
prophesy to make Oedipus feel better, instead
it did just the opposite. He remembers killing
Laius.
p.243
“But your savior, son, that day” (l. 975)
A lowly, wandering Shepherd (the messenger
from Corinth) turns out to be Oedipus’
savior—at least that was the intended result;
but in saving Oedipus, the Shepherd
condemns him to fulfill the prophecy.
p. 206
“Sick as you are not one is as sick as I.” (l. 63)
The audience knows the truth, though
Oedipus doesn’t, that he is really sicker than
anyone because of his hidden past. The
audience interprets his comment to mean he
is sick with worry for the people of Thebes.
p.212
“I say I take the son’s part, just as though / I
were his son, to press the fight for him” (ll.
251-252)
Oedipus talks about Laius’ life as if he is his
son. Only the audience knows he actually is.