Application of Irony in the Play "Oedipus Rex"

Oedipus Rex
Name:
Institution:
Oedipus Rex
Employment of Irony
One of the evident elements employed in the play Oedipus Rex is the application of irony. The application of the style has also been made dramatically through the main character, Oedipus. The producer has used a technique whereby the audience understands and is aware of the ironic act oblivious to the character. For instance, in the play, the audience is aware of several activities that Oedipus does in the play without him knowing what is going on. After killing his father Laios, the King of Thebes, and marrying his mum, he is then depicted claiming that;
“I pray to God -I pray that that man's life is consumed in evil and wretchedness. And as for me, this curse applies no less If it should turn out that the culprit is my guest here." (Sophocles, Fitts & Fitzgerald, 1948)
He does this without realizing he is cursing himself as he is the culprit. He is also depicted at another scene claiming that;
“I must flee Thebes for fear of joining my mother in marriage and killing Polybos, my father.” (Sophocles, Fitts & Fitzgerald, 1948)
Here he is also unaware that he wants to run away from things that he had already done.
Characterization of Tiresias Creon and Jocasta
Different personality elements are revealed through Oedipus's interactions with Tiresias, Creon, and Jocasta. At first, through his interaction with Tiresias, the blind prophet, Oedipus comes out as an arrogant person. This personality is exposed when Oedipus scolds Tiresias for correctly stating that it is Oedipus himself who murdered the King. Instead of reflecting upon himself about the claims, Oedipus becomes even angrier and continues insulting Tiresias, who at first never wanted to reveal the tr...