Sophocles' use of irony in his play

Sophocles' use of irony in his play

1. No suspense in greek tragedies. Had to intensify tragic atmosphere by using dramatic irony. All characters in play show dramatic irony except Tiresias as he's only one who knows proceedings of play. All speeches contain dramatic irony ecspecially Oedipus'

   • Almost every word uttered by Oedipus from exposition of playto discovery is attributed w/ dramatic irony.

2. Not only words&actions ironic but situation too charged w/ dramatic irony

   • towns people coming to Oedipus Priest begging for help to save them from pestilence like he did before
     • Ironic because he's the cause of plague and they're asking him to solve it

3. Oedipus' Actions

   • Looks like v. good ruler=open goverment e.g..., cares that his people are suffering e.g. wants to solve mystery fast to stop plague, proactive e.g. sends Creon to Delphi, sends for Tiresias, shepherd, appeals 4 info. awards, offers sanctuary nothing worse than excile etc., curse on murdere

4. Oedipus' words

   • Arrogant attitude 1st few words="the world knows my fame, I am Oedipus"
     • Speaks honest but just doesn't know "I will speak out now as a stranger to the story a stranger to the crime"
       • Calling prophet blind
         • Ironic because he's the only one who knows truth&he ends up gorging his eyes out w/ broach in the end
           • Contrast of Tiresias's&Oedipus' abilities to see truth an dphysical abilities. Tiresias=old,blind,feeble=sees truth Oedipus=young,not blind,strong=can't see truth
   • telling backround story about "parents" etc.

5. Innocence of chorus when they call on furies

   • to "hunt him down" furies are creatures who pursue and punish murderers particularly people who murderred family memebers
     • say this sans knowing person who killed king Laius actually was his son they have no idea

6. Jocasta

   • showing impiety=gods had full control of her fate ever since she gave birth to Oedipus&she doesn't believe in prophecy's but she's involved in one
     • when she's in a crisis she prays to every god but when she's safe she's impious again
   • gives false hope to Oedipus that he didn't kill king Laius ironic because he did'nt just kill a king but his father

7. when Oedipus knows he killed king and is upset. Ironic because he doesn't know full extent of tragedy yet going to get a lot more upset

   • Contrast of great Oedipus to end=v. ironic