Oedipus the Kind and Irony

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Audrey Molony ENG 101 Orr Oedipus the King and Irony Oedipus the King by Sophocles is set between 430 and 428 B.C. in Thebes. A plague has struck, and it is believed to be brought on from the killing of their previous king, Laius. Creon has delivered a message to Oedipus that the only way to help his townspeople is to find the murderer of Laius and kill him. Throughout the play, irony is one of the many topics strongly portrayed. Creon returns with news to which he refers to as good. This is the first sign of dramatic irony. On page 1064 in lines 87-88 Creon says, referring to the news he is delivering, “It’s good. For even troubles, if they chance to turn out well, I always count as lucky.” Oedipus realizes his news is neither good nor bad for Oedipus says on page 1064 in lines 89-90, “But what was the response? You seem to say I’m not to fear-but not to take heart either.” The irony of this is the fact that things do turn out horribly for Oedipus; the news Creon brings is in fact, not good news at all in the end. Another example of irony is when the blind prophet, Tiresias, is trying to explain to Oedipus that the murderer he is looking for is in front of his very eyes. At first, Tiresias is hesitant upon delivering this news to him and this angers Oedipus. Ironically, Oedipus begins to blame Tiresias for the murder of Laius. He says on page 1071 in lines 350-354, “Now I am angry enough to come right out with this conjecture: you, I think, helped plot the deed-you did it-even if your hand, cannot have struck the blow.” Oedipus is blaming the “bearer of bad news,” but he is the actual murderer of Laius. Not only does Oedipus believe Tiresias had a part in murdering Laius, he also believes his brother-in-law, Creon, is conspiring against him to try to take his place as king. When Jocasta realizes why her brother and husband are arguing, she tries comforting

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