Undoubtedly, the greatest irony in the drama of Oedipus Rex is the fact that King Oedipus, who has rescued Thebes by solving the riddle of the Sphinx, seeks to rid the people of suffering again by advising them to seek out the murderer of King Laius, who ruled Thebes before Oedipus, while he unknow...
Irony in Oedipus Rex
" Imp "Oedipus Rex" is counted among one of the best
illustrations of tragic irony. The theme of contrast between appearance
and reality finds an ideal manifestation in this tragedy. Through the
irony that pervades the spread whole play. Sophocles brings to light
how things turn to be totally contrary to an individual's wishes in this
life, which is mysterious, understandable and being sun according to
same plan best known to divine powers.
Oedipus Rex himself symbolizes the contrast between
appearance and reality. All his life appears to be a journey that seems
safe, but causes insecurity, it seems to be conducive leading to mirth
but in reality to dirge. He is thrown by his parents away as soon as he
was born. This horrible step taken by them results in their satisfaction
that they have ensured their safety. All this effort however Cannot save
them from an end never dreamt of by them.
Oedipus, living satisfied in Corinth has to leave the
city, having been informed by the oracle that he will marry his mother
and kill his father. He leaves Corinth thinking that marriage with his
own mother means marriage with Merope, and killing father means
killing polybus.
The irony here is that they are not his real parents but
leaving Corinth is based upon the feelings that they are his parents, and
he will Commit the horrible sin of marrying his mother and killing his
father, by living there.
Becoming the king of "Thebes" and marrying the
Queen Jocasta are definitely the two great achievements for Oedipus.
The joy, and feeling of being specially favored by God is all natural
under these circumstances. This is what gives birth to pride and
, arrogance also. He does not know that he is infect being dragged
towards a painful end.
The revelation made by Tiresias is bluntly rejected by
Oedipus with allegation against the blind Soothsayer and Creon that
both are conspiring against him. Oedipus Calls him insultingly a man
living in perpetual night. His words however turn to be ironical and be
gets ! what he is sure of not getting failure, doom, defeat and
damnation.
In a bitter exchange of words with Creon, Oedipus
again asserts that he is not made for defeat. He tells Creon proudly that
his dream of dethroning him will never come true, as he neither has the
supporters , nor the power and money required for this purpose.
Oedipus claims that he has all this and is therefore undefeatable. All
their boastful claims turn to be ironical when Oedipus has to lose the
throne and Creon becomes the king. Oedipus asserting forcefully that
Creon will always be the loser, becomes a loser himself, and we see him
beseeching Creon at the end to take care of his children. (Antigone,
Ismene).
Jocasta's views about oracle, when Oedipus shares his
feelings with her, prove to be bitterly ironical. She forces Oedipus never
to believe in oracles, as she has herself, seen oracles turning to be false
and unsound. She mention alludes to oracle which she received in the
past, according to which her son was to marry her and kill his father.
While speaking against oracles and ridiculing them,
she did not know that Oracle she received long ago had already turned
to be true. – This play is infect replete with Irony that gives it an
interesting touch. It also shows how painful is the human life when
there are such contrasts between appearance and reality.
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