Dramatic irony in Oedipus.

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Kelvin Mu

ENG4U1 - 03

Mrs. Marks

October 9th, 2003

SKELETON ESSAY: DRAMATIC IRONY IN OEDIPUS

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher claimed that a good tragic play must arouse pity from the audience, adding that the best way to accomplish this was through the usage of dramatic irony. In the play, Oedipus the King by the Greek playwright Sophocles, we are able to witness the presence of dramatic irony as it helps develop meaning in the text. Dramatic irony is delivered in a way that allows the audience to be exposed deeper into the play. Within this setting, we notice that the outcome of the story is revealed to the audience, whereas the hero is blindly stumbling into the hole filled with fate and misery. In Oedipus the King, dramatic irony is used effectively to demonstrate and emphasize a character's disloyalty, ignorance, and blindness.

1st Argument:

- In Oedipus the King, dramatic irony is incorporated into the text to emphasize Oedipus's and Jocasta's disloyalty towards the Gods.

- To demonstrate their unfaithfulness, Oedipus and Jocasta continually reject the prophecies that the oracles deliver.