Types of Irony in Oedipus Rex

Situational Irony When something occurs that is different than the character originally intended. EX: Achilles sends Patroclus into battle with the expectation that he will revive morale within the Greek army and help to turn back the Trojans from the ships. Instead, Patroclus is killed during the venture.

Verbal Irony When someone says something but means something else. What they say implies a meaning other than the literal meaning. Teiresias says, “You mock my blindness, do you? But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind”

Dramatic Irony When the audience knows a truth that the character does not. The audience knows the character is making a mistake as they make it. Ex: To this, great Hector in his shimmering helm replied: “Deiphobus, you were the closest to me in the old days, of all my brothers, sons of Hecuba and Priam. Now I can say I honor you still more because you dared this foray for my sake seeing me run.”