Irony in Oedipus Rex

Irony is an important part in Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles. The play revolves around two attempts to change fate: Jocasta and Laius’s killing of Oedipus at birth and Oedipus’s flight from Corinth. In both occasions, an oracle’s prophecies come true regardless of the characters’ actions. Jocasta sends Oedipus off to death only to find his health restored and married to her. Oedipus flees from Corinth and in doing so, he finds his …

…up the events of the play into the moments before and after Oedipus's realization, Sophocles heightens the dramatic tragedy. Using dramatic irony to involve the audience, the characters come alive in their flawed brilliance. Oedipus is human, regardless of his pride in his intelligence and social stature or his stubbornness, and the audience realizes this in his reaction to his sinful actions. Watching his lamentation, the audience is moved to pity for this broken man.