Oedipus Rex

2 Pages 509 Words

As scene 1 to Oedipus Rex opens, Oedipus is speaking to Choragos. He has already been told that he must rid the city of old king Laios’ murderer. Sophocles uses dramatic irony in Oedipus’ opening speech, showing Oedipus’ naivety toward his situation and foreshadowing the tragic end of the play. After Oedipus’ highly ironic speech, where he relates himself even to being like Laios’ son ( which, of course, he really is), Choragos suggests that he see the blind clairvoyant Teiresias. Oedipus’ scene with Teiresias is filled with dramatic irony, making the intended crowd (who already knew the story well) see and pity the imminent and tragic downfall of Oedipus.
As Teiresias enters he warns Oedipus to leave the matter be, for though he is blind he can see Oedipus’ terrible fate and knows the curse that Oedipus has already unknowingly cast upon himself. On Teiresias’ line 315, “No; I’ll never tell you what I know. Now it is my misery; then, it would be yours.”, Sophocles uses dramatic irony to foreshadow the tragic misery Oedipus refers to when he blinds himself. The irony that Sophocles uses makes the reader pity Oedipus even more, as he damns himself with his words on almost every line. Even though the audience already know Oedipus’ fate the pity that they feel from the effect of the irony makes them wish that, this time, the ending will be different. This time Oedipus will heed everyone’s repeated warnings to cease and desist his “search” for the murderer, and he will be spared.
Eventually, Teiresias tells Oedipus the truth, “You yourself are the pollution of this country.” (line 338) and more clearly after Oedipus says he didn’t understand, “I say that you are the murderer you seek.” To the audience Oedipus is making a great fool of himself, for he is to arrogant to believe Teiresias. This irony makes the truth even more tragic. It makes the audience think, poor Oedipus, he is falling ...