Oedipus: Irony Bharath Balabaskar | Brayden Holmes | Emily Frausto | Sierra Gayle | Wilbert Liu

Prompt Irony – Sophocles was obviously trying to entertain the audience with some type of tragic story for entertainment purposes but actually what message was Sophocles trying to tell the people of Greece? How is this in relation to Oedipus and the fate and hubris the people of Greece held during Sophocles time. Literal Meaning of the Topic "Sophocles wanted to be entertaining, but what was he trying to tell the Greeks? How is his message related to Oedipus, his fate, his pride, and the pride of the Greeks?" Noting that Sophocles did intend to entertain, the underlying message to the Greek belief of hamartia, or a tragic flaw. The crux of a true Greek tragedy is hamartia, and in the case of Oedipus, hubris. Oedipus' hubris is seen as a pervasive theme throughout the play, one that ultimately causes his fate to play out in the tragedy. In relation to presenting the play in a Greek theatre, the underlying message of excessive pride befalling the tragic hero serves to reinforce the idea of an unchanging ultimate fate, but gives power to the idea of free will to seek the truth and the human aspect of Oedipus.

Irony and Oedipus Relating back to the topic of Irony, Sophocles created Oedipus to not only entertain and compete in religious festivals, but to teach the audience, and the rest of Greece a lesson. During the Classical Period in Greece, tensions were high and war was waged on many fronts, with different powers fighting for control. The tragedies Sophocles wrote reflected that turbulent time, with themes of overthrowing kings and the murder of ones own kin. Through the use of Irony and other tragic elements in Oedipus, Sophocles warns the Greek population of the vices of hubris and being too prideful, and how fate can be far from one’s control.

Situational Irony “That man, whoever he may be, I banish from this land where I sit on the throne and hold the power; no one shall take him in or speak to him. He is forbidden from communion in prayers or offerings to the gods, or in holy water. Everyone is to expel him from their homes as if he were himself the infection which Apollo’s oracle has just made known to me” (Sophocles 15). When Oedipus sets a curse upon the murderer, it is already situational irony because he committed the murder of Laius. He speaks of ridding the city of a plague and darkness but does not realize that he is the one who caused it. The people who know that he is the murderer is Tiresias and the shepherd because they know his true identity.

Verbal Irony “It has, except for you. You have no power or truth. You are blind, your ears and mind as well as eyes” (Sophocles 25). When Oedipus refers to Tiresias as blind in all senses, it is verbal irony because Oedipus is blind in not knowing his origins and his personal history. Oedipus does not truly know who his parents are and the event of his birth and he is telling a person that does know, that he is blind on the subject.

Tragic Irony “He ripped out the golden pins with which her clothes were fastened, raised them high above his head, and speared the pupils of his eyes…he raised his hands and struck his eyes again, and again” (Sophocles 93). Oedipus gouging out his eyes is tragic irony because earlier in the play he insulted Tiresias for being blind in logic but he ends up making himself actually blind.

Example from Text “Wealth, absolute power, skill surpassing skill Example from Text “Wealth, absolute power, skill surpassing skill...I did not ask for it” (Sophocles 26). As Oedipus is inquiring about what Tiresias knows about the murder of Laius, he exhibits excessive pride that contrasts the previously positive characteristics of a caring king as he exclaims that Tiresias is lower than he is and ought not to withhold information that could potentially help save the people of Thebes. His hubris and mocking of the blind Tiresias is an example of the Greek word Peripeteia, meaning a reversal of roles, and relates to the overarching message that Sophocles is conveying to his audience on tragic flaws as well as philosophical strives of humanity.  Again: His hubris throughout the play is ultimately ironic as the things he boasts of and his demeanor ultimately falls short in the face of his truth and the prophecies.

Example from Text “But I count myself the son of Good Chance, the giver of success – I shall not be dishonored. Chance is my Mother” (Sophocles 79). Even as the evidence continues to further incriminate and lessen Oedipus, his humanity and hubris compels him to continue seeking the truth despite his ultimately tragic fate. In this scene, he's denouncing Jocasta's concern to her being a woman of higher status and that he will find his true linage and dispel what he perceives as embarrassment to marrying Oedipus who may or may not be of noble decent. Again: His hubris throughout the play is ultimately ironic as the things he boasts of and his demeanor ultimately falls short in the face of his truth and the prophecies.

Significant Moments

Significant Moment #1: Oedipus agrees to investigate Laius's murder After Creon returns from the Oracle of Apollo, he addresses Oedipus, the priest, and the people of the city, with the solution to rid Thebes of the plague and famine that harms it. The solution from Apollo is that they must either banish or kill the one who murdered the old king of Thebes, Laius. Oedipus, being the hero that he is, agrees to begin the investigation, and publicly announces it to the city's people to reassure them that their problem is being taken care of.  This is a significant moment in the novel because it is the first event that leads to the tragic ending of the novel. Taking upon this quest starts chain reaction that ends with Oedipus discovering the truth of his birth and marriage. This relates to the prompt in that it is ironic that Oedipus begins an investigation in which he is the murderer.  

Significant Moment #2: Tiresias refuses to say what he knows, and Oedipus disrespects him. To start off his investigation into the murder of Laius, Oedipus sends for Tiresias, a prophet of Apollo. After being sent for multiple times, the prophet Tiresias finally comes to Oedipus, but he refuses to say what he knows for Oedipus's own sake. However,  Oedipus, due to his lack of respect for elders, goads him on, insulting him, pushing and prodding until finally Tiresias gives way, vaguely accusing Oedipus of killing Laius. In turn, this makes Oedipus more furious, and he even considers that Creon is working with Tiresias to take the throne away from him. This moment is significant because until now, the reader had only seen the positive, heroic character traits of Oedipus, and now his character flaws, in the form of hubris and disrespect, are revealed.  

Significant Moment #3: Jocasta kills herself and Oedipus pokes out his eyes As the truth comes out and everyone starts to realize what has happened to Oedipus, he realizes that all the prophecies regarding him and Laius have come true: he has killed his true father and married his mother. This truth is too much for Jocasta to bear, knowing that she had children with her own son, and she pulls her hair out and commits suicide by hanging herself. Upon discovering this, and  dealing with discovering that his entire life has been a lie, Oedipus gouges out his own eyes with the golden pins on her clothes. This moment is significant because it is the tragic end to the main character. This event related to the prompt as the irony shows how Oedipus has always been mentally blind, and now is also physically blind. With this concluding event, Sophocles conveys his message to his audience.

1988 Prompt:  In "Oedipus Rex" some of the significant events are mental or psychological; for example, awakenings, discoveries, or changes in consciousness. Describe how Sophocles manages to give these internal events the sense of excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with external action.

2000 Prompt:  In "Oedipus Rex" identify the mystery and explain how the investigation illustrates the meaning of the work as a whole.

So why do we care? (Conclusion) Irony is one of the most used device in the entirety of Oedipus, and is used skillfully by Sophocles to get the audience to really feel for his tragic hero. An otherwise upstanding guy, his flaws were his hubris and unwillingness to respect his elders. The fates intervened and despite trying his very best to avoid fulfilling his prophecy, it comes true anyways. Irony in these tragedies add suspense and make the works all the more impactful to the audience. It makes them think about what they could have done in the hero’s place and really emphasizes the lessons and values presented by the author.

Just in case you missed something... What is the topic? Irony (Subtopic of Hubris) Relation to Oedipus? Oedipus' myth is a prime example of irony (verbal, situational, structural, etc...) and he epitomizes hubris. Literary Devices and Examples (Basically the same as the Significant moments) Situational Irony - Oedipus accepts the task of finding Laius' murderer(s) | He's the killer Verbal Irony - Tiresias doesn't want to tell Oedipus the truth | Oedipus, blind from the truth, calls Tiresias blind Tragic Irony - Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus stabs his eyes | He just wanted to be a good king :( 2 Related Prompts: 1988 -  How Sophocles manipulates excitement, suspense, and climax 2000 – Mystery's impact on the play Just in case you missed something...