1. Irony in Oedipus Rex

2. Definitions
irony – an event or situation that differs from what is expected; use of words opposite of the words’ actual meaning
situational irony – an action, event or situation that is contrary to what is expected or desired
verbal irony – when what is said is contrary to what is meant
dramatic irony – when readers or an audience knows more than characters in a text

3. Exercises
Directions: Identify the type of irony used in the example. Explain your reasoning.

4. Example #1
VERBAL

5. Example #2
DRAMATIC

6. Example #3 Harvard Sailing Team – Puppy Pictures! SITUATIONAL

7. Example #4 SITUATIONAL TIRESIAS
…You have mocked at my blindness, but you, who have eyes, cannot see the evil in which you stand; you cannot see where you are living, nor with whom you share your house. (pg. 28)
SITUATIONAL

8. Example #5 VERBAL OEDIPUS
…But you didn’t come forward, you offered no answer told you by the birds or the gods. No. I came, know-nothing Oedipus, I stopped the Sphinx. I answered the riddle with my own intelligence. (pg. 27)
VERBAL

9. Example #6 DRAMATIC OEDIPUS
…As for the murderer himself, I call down a curse on him, whether that unknown figure be one man or one among many. May he drag out an evil death-in-life in misery. And further, I pronounce a curse on myself if the murderer should, with my knowledge, share my house... (pg. 15)
DRAMATIC

10. Blogging!
Directions: In pairs,
Read the Introduction to Oedipus Rex, section “The Legend and the Play” (first 2 pages only!)
Get one laptop for you and your partner and go to
Post a response to the 1/30 blog question:
According to Bernard Knox, how does dramatic irony shape audiences’ experiences watching/reading Oedipus Rex? Why does Sophocles use dramatic irony in his play? Use evidence from the text you read to support your answer.