Oedipus The Irony Essay, Research Paper
Oedipus the Irony
In Sophocles’s Oedipus The King, Oedipus’s life was set for him. He learned through the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, that during the span of his lifetime that he would kill his father and marry his mother. He was obviously concerned by this. Laius also received the same Oracle from Apollo. Laius, the King of Thebes, was also worried by this prophecy. They both tried to stop their destiny and change the future. They believe that they were powerful enough to control everything around them. Ironically, these two strangers meet and Oedipus kills Laius and marries Laius widow. Then in order to stop the plague that hits the city Oedipus needs to find the murder of the former king of Thebes. He even curses the murder and demand that he speaks up. Ironically, it is no other than himself. He also warned by his wife/mother Jocasta not to continue the search for killer. He does not listen to her, and in return he discovers the horrible truth. In which costs Jocasta her life. He also says that he will go easy on the man who will turn himself in for the murder of Laius. But, ironically the punishment that he gives himself is far worse than anyone else would have received. This great play is filled with many cynical parts throughout. But the irony is what makes this play such genius.
When Laius got his Oracle of Apollo from Delphi (that his son would kill him and marry his widow), he tried to control faith by having his baby boy killed. He had baby Oedipus bounded and pierced by the feet and left on the mountainside for dead. The baby was given to King Polybus, ruler of Corinth. Polybus took care of Oedipus like one of his own. Oedipus even believes that he was Polybus’s son. Then Oedipus received the same Oracle that he would kill his father and marry his mother. He tried to fight faith by leaving Corinth, so he could not kill Polybus (who Oedipus though was his real father). Both men tried to fight faith yet they instead themselves directly to their destiny. Because on Oedipus journey away from the Kingdom of Corinth, he meet up with his true father, Laius, and killed him. Fulfilling the first part of the Oracle. So even in trying to stop faith, they instead fell strait into it. Ironically, in trying to escape killing his father (whom he thinks is Polybus) he kills a complete stranger (his real father, Laius).
I believe that in these two men trying to fight faith, they lead themselves to it. Instead of stopping the Oracle send to them, they stepped right into it. Even when they knew the future they were unable to stop it. Unknowingly, Oedipus killed his father Laius. They both thought that they were able to control their own destiny, but in the end they walked right into it.
After killing Laius, Oedipus journeyed into the kingdom of Thebes (his home town). Being a wise man, Oedipus saved the city of Thebes by solving the riddle of the Sphinx, which was terrorizing the people of the city. As his reward, Oedipus went on to become King of Thebes and marry Jocasta widow of Laius. Thus fulfilling the second part of the Oracle of Apollo. Then a great plague swept the city. Oedipus learned from Creon (Jocasta brother, Oedipus uncle) that the only way that the plague would end if Laius murder was found, “Creon: Banish the man, or pay back blood with blood./ Murder sets the plague-storm on the city”(Oedipus the King, 113-114). So the king went on a search through the city for the murder of the former king of Thebes (unknowingly himself). “Oedipus: if any one knows who murdered Laius,/ the son of Labdacus, I order him to reveal/ the whole truth to me”(Oedipus the King, 254-256). Then he calls for Lord Tiresias, who is a prophet of Apollo. Tiresias does not want to tell the Oedipus the truth, because he knows that it will cause great disturbance in the kingdom. But Oedipus insists that Tiresias tell what he knows. “Tiresias: I say you are the murderer you hunt”(Oedipus the King, 413). Ironically in calling out for the murderer of Laius, he is indeed calling out his own faith.
I believe that in trying to find the assassin of Laius, Oedipus is sealing his own faith. By searching for the murderer, he going to uncover something more horrific than he can even imagines. He learns that he did complete his destiny that the Oracle of Apollo has set for him. Jocasta tries to bring reassurance to Oedipus that could not have killed Laius. “Jocasta: still, my lord,/ he could never make the murder of Laius/ truly fit the prophecy. Apollo was explicit:/ my son was doomed to kill my husband”(Oedipus the King, 942-945). She also tries to insure Oedipus that Oracle of Apollo was wrong, because Polybus has died not at the hands Oedipus. “Jocasta: This is the man that Oedipus feared for years,/ he fled him, not to kill him – and now he’s dead”(Oedipus the King, 1036-1037). Oedipus fills much better about this, “Oedipus: all those prophecies I feared – Polybus/ packs them off to sleep with him in hell!/ They’re nothing, worthless”(Oedipus the King, 1063-1064). The irony for all this is that Oedipus is relieved because he thinks that the Oracle was false because he did not kill Polybus. But he never two and two together and relies that he is the son of Laius not Polybus. And that he did actually fulfill the Oracle of Apollo. Jocasta knows that Oedipus should stop his search for the truth, but Oedipus would not listen to her. She begs to her husband/son to let chance take precedence over his need to find the truth. She knows that the truth discovered will rip apart everything in their lives. “Jocasta: What should a man fear? It’s all chance,/ chance rules our lives./ Live, Oedipus,/ as if there’s no tomorrow!”(Oedipus the King, 1069-1070, 1077-1078). Oedipus discovers the truth that he did kill his real father then marry his mother. He relies that the Oracle has come true. This is too much for Jocasta to handle and she kills herself. Ironically, that was Jocasta last day on earth.
Oedipus is overwhelmed by what he has discovered. So he blind himself by putting his own eyes out with the long gold pins off of Jocasta’s clothing. This is very ironic. Because he was willing to pardon any who admitted the crime and just have them exile from the kingdom. Yet he was much harder on himself than he would have been on anyone else. He cries out, “You,/ you’ll see no more the pain I suffered, all the pain I caused!”(Oedipus the King, 1405-1406)
The ironies of this play a just brilliant. They allowed the play to move on with such amazing beauty. The irony of Laius and Oedipus trying to fight faith, yet instead walking right into it. If either one of these two decided not to control their faith the story would have never been able to take place. The irony of Jocasta warning Oedipus not to continue his search for the murder, which leads to her committing suicide. Just like all the other ironies, that all served a purpose that keeps this story alive.
Другие работы по теме:
Oedipus The King Essay Research Paper 3
Oedipus The King Essay, Research Paper 3. How Sophocles? Oedipus the King fits the description of tragedy provided by Aristotle? Why does Aristotle believe tragedy is superior to epic poetry?
Oedipus Essay Research Paper battles against Centaurs
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper battles against Centaurs, Amazons, also friezes of Athena figthing the giants. Interestingly these sculptures are all of either battle or celebrations, this in way show cased the Athenian ambitions.
Hiding From Destiny Essay Research Paper Hiding
Hiding From Destiny Essay, Research Paper Hiding From Destiny Running from your problems, is not a method of solving them. This is advice I have received several times since I started school. I believe that, Oedipus, would be liked to have had this wonderful advice in his life. The protagonist, in our play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, learned this, the hard way.
Oedipus Rex 4 Essay Research Paper Essay
Oedipus Rex 4 Essay, Research Paper Essay- Oedipus the King by Sophocles According to Aristotle, the protagonist in a tragedy must have a tragic flaw that ultimately becomes the cause of his ruin. Oedipus in Oedipus the King by Sophocles tragic flaw that caused his downfall was his pride. Three examples of when Oedipus pride got the better of him were: when he left his adopted parents in Cornith, the second is when he goes against Creon, and the third is when Oedipus is demanding that the messenger tell him all he knows about who his real parents are.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexSophocles
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex Sophocles’ Oedipus the King perpetuates this ideology that the title character pursues a path which happens to be foretold. Oedipus was determined to save his city and discover his identity, however he ultimately assists in his own downfall. Oedipus’ fall from his kingly status was not by accident or because of some other person.
Oedipus Rex 2 Essay Research Paper Oedipus
Oedipus Rex 2 Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquity is based upon an even more ancient story in Greek mythology. Sophocles, however, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play utilizes that foreknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles.
OedipusS Misfortunes Essay Research Paper Oedipuss MisfortunesWho
Oedipus?S Misfortunes Essay, Research Paper Oedipus?s Misfortunes Who is responsible for the misfortunes of Oedipus? Is it because of the careless way his parents, Laius and Jocasta handle problems, the disobedience of the Shepard, fate, the gods or Oedipus himself? Even though many people contribute to Oedipus downfall he is ultimately responsible.
Irony In Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Oedipus Rex, by the Greek playwright Sophocles, is, without a doubt, one of the greatest examples of dramatic irony. There are many instances where the audience knows so much more than the main characters, and Sophocles uses irony to point to Oedipus as Laius’ murderer as well. Additionally, Oedipus is most definitely a tragic hero-he had a tragic flaw, namely that he was relentless and often rash in his search for the truth about Laius’ death and his killer; this ultimately lead to Oedipus’ own destruction.
The Theban Plays Essay Research Paper Throughout
The Theban Plays Essay, Research Paper Throughout, The Theban Plays Creon remained an important character. From the first play King Oedipus through the second play Oedipus at Colonus Creon displayed a dramatic change in his character. A change in Creon?s personality was noticeable when the truth about Oedipus was revealed.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexQuestion
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex*Question 1*Dramatic irony plays a large part in the artistry of Sophocles’ Oedipus, creating a special dramatic tension. For example, when Oedipus says:And for the man that slew him [Laius].. I lay this curse upon him, that the wretchIn wretchedness and misery may live.(1) Since we, the audience, know that Oedipus is the killer, we see him setting himself up for the fall.
Oedipus 3 Essay Research Paper The Greek
Oedipus 3 Essay, Research Paper The Greek tragedy of Oedipus illustrates dramatic irony through Oedipus’ noble birth which is unknown to him and his fall from the throne due to his fate and excessive pride.
Oedipus Paper Essay Research Paper One of
Oedipus Paper Essay, Research Paper One of Oedipus greatest qualities as a leader was his ability to solve problems. The reason that Oedipus, not even a native of Thebes, became the king of that land was due to the great intelligence and strength shown in his defeat of the Sphinx. He was able to save the Thebans from that problem, so when the city again needs help, Oedipus is very willing to show his strength again.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper There have
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper There have been many tragedies throughout history, including Sophocles play Oedipus Rex. I utterly agree with Aristotle in saying that Oedipus Rex, is one such tragedy. Through the plot, character and thoughts it is evident the Oedipus Rex is a model tragedy.
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexCharacters
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex Characters in the play Oedipus the King attempt to block the horrible outcome of the gods? oracle. The first people to do so were Oedipus? mother and father, Laius and Jocasta. After hearing the unmoral and disruptive prediction, they attempted to execute their own child.
Biography Of Oedipus Essay Research Paper Oedipys
Biography Of Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipys’s date of birth is unknown. He was born to Polybus and Merope, but Jocasta is his real mother. Oedipus was born in Thebes, but he spent most of his adult life in Corinth. Due to some mistakes that Oedipus makes prior to the start of the play, trouble seems to surround him later.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper Oedipus is a
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipus is a blind old man. He is the son of a former king of Thebes. His father?s name was Laius and his mother was Jocasta, the former queen. In the previous tragedy, Oedipus inadvertently killed his father and married his mother. He had four kids with his wife. Moreover, his wife/mother was going through a lot of stress so she decided to hang herself.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper OedipusEven though
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Even though “fate” seems to determine Oedipus’ life, he does, in fact, have a free will. His choices brought the prophecy to life. Only his decisions (not influenced by anybody) he made. Of course those decisions were in side of the limits set by fate. When Oedipus heard a prophesy that his going to kill his father and sleep with his mother he ran away, even when he new there were suspicions of him being the real son of his parents.
More Tragic Oedipus Or Antigone Essay Research
Paper Sophocles was a master of tragedy, there?s no argument there. But which of the 2 plays we?ve studied, Oedipus the King and Antigone, is the more tragic? I believe that Oedipus the King was more intensely tragic and I
Oedipus Rex By Sophocles I c 496
– 406 B.C.) Essay, Research Paper It would be hard to find a play that has been more universally praised than Oedipus Rex (”King Oedipus”). Aristotle considered it the model tragedy, and that opinion has been widely held
A Hopeless Fate Essay Research Paper It
A Hopeless Fate Essay, Research Paper It was once said by Ralph Waldo Emmerson, Where there is no vision, a people perish. In Sophecles Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, the oracle advised Oedipus that he was tomurder his father and marry his mother. As a result, Oedipus tried to change his fate. Oedipus, Jocasta, and Tiresias all demonstrated the concept of blindness in Oedipus Rex.
Fate Vs Free Will In Oedipus Essay
, Research Paper FREE WILL VS. FATE IN OEDIPUS REX The great philosopher Socrates believes that humans rule themselves with a combination of fate and free will. In Oedipus Rex a combination of fate and free will
Oedipus In Greek Mythology Essay Research Paper
Oedipus is a very interesting character in Greek mythology. He encounters many episodes on his journey, escaping the dangers of the prophecy he was told. Oedipus the King us the is quite exciting to the readers because of the dramatic irony Sophocles uses throughout the trilogy. Dramatic irony is when the audience is aware of something that is going to happen in the story, and the charatcer really has no idea.
Oedipus Essay Research Paper Jocasta doesn
Oedipus Essay, Research Paper Jocasta doesn’t understand her husband’s concern about the details of Laius’ death. When she asks Oedipus why he wants to see the servant, he responds, I can hold nothing back from you, now I’ve reached this pitch of dark foreboding. Oedipus goes on to give the history of his childhood, as referenced in the fourth summary.
Blindness In Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Blindness in “Oedipus the King” In Sophocles’ play, “Oedipus the King”, one of the main themes is blindness. The author uses physical blindness, as well as intellectual blindness to illustrate Oedipus’ status
Sight
& Blindness Imagery In Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Sight and blindness Imagery in ?Oedipus Rex? In this play written by Sophocles called Oedipus Rex, sight/blindness imagery is used as a form of ignorance. In this play, there is allot of ignorance. Some examples of this are when Oedipus talks with Tiresias about who had killed Laius, and when he discovers the truth about his love and about his parents.
Fate Overpowers Free Will Oedipus The King
) Essay, Research Paper Concerning the question of fate vs. free will, Sophocles felt that a person has no control over the course of his life. In the play Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a great example of Sophocles’ belief that fate will control a man’s life no matter how much free will exists in the man’s heart.
The Blindness In Oedipus Rex Essay Research
Paper The Blindness in Oedipus Rex In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the minor character of Tiresias is responsible for foreshadowing Oedipus fate, developing the theme of blindness, and also illustrating dramatic irony. Tiresias is responsible for further developing the theme of blindness, by using his own physical blindness to reveal to Oedipus his mental blindness.
Asefasdf Essay Research Paper Oedipus the King
Asefasdf Essay, Research Paper Oedipus the King by Sophocles Sophocles “Oedipus the King” is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has killed his father and married his mother. The story of Oedipus (2 page)
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper In Sophocles 2
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper In Sophocles? Oedipus Rex, dramatic irony is often present in Oedipus? long speeches. Oedipus constantly sees things incorrectly, and is in denial that he
Oedipus The King 3 Essay Research Paper
Oedipus the King Ankle Theory The classification of Oedipus the King as a tragedy requires it to meet certain criteria pertaining to the main character, Oedipus. Oedipus must have no control over the situation which he is in, he has to have been harmed by someone for doing nothing or doing what is just, and he must come to an end in which he is utterly lost, or dies without resolving the situation.
Macbeth And Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper
Macbeth and Oedipus Rex Analysis Oedipus Rex and Macbeth are both tragic plays. They have many similarities and differences. Some of them are in the role of fate, the characters, and the setting and the
Oedipus Rex Essay Research Paper Oedipus RexIn
Oedipus Rex Essay, Research Paper Oedipus Rex In the story of Oedipus Rex, Sophocles portrays the main character, Oedipus, as a good natured person that has bad judgment and frailty. Oedipus