Oedipus Rex Argumentative Essay Example For Students

Oedipus Rex Argumentative Essay Oedipus Rex a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles in the early days of antiquityis 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 thatforeknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal ironyplay key roles. However, citing all of the irony in Oedipus Rex would requirethe writing of quite a hefty book, for time and convenience only a few exampleswill be cited. Through his use of irony Sophocles manages to avoid simplyretelling an old tale, though the audience is cognizant of the storys endthey are intrigued by the irony present in the story. For instance when Oedipuspronounces his curse upon the head of King Laiuss murderer in the openingscenes of the play : So will I fight on the gods side, And on the side of theslain man! But my curse be on the one who did this, whether he is alone Orconceals his share in it with others. Let him be free of no misery if he sharemy h ouse Or sit at my hearth and I have knowledge of it. On myself may it fall,as I have called it down! -Oedipus from Oedipus Rex When Oedipus pronounces thissentence he has already unwittingly judged himself, and to the excitement of thecrowd foreshadowed later events to come. This statement, is a classic example ofverbal irony. In it Oedipus thinking that he is directing his pronouncement uponsome bandit, or conspirator, in all actuality he is truly condemning himself. Oedipus met the King Laius on a bridge and was too proud to let him passfirst, and then the King pushed him out of the way. In a fit of rage, Oedipuskilled him. All the while, an old man, Teiresias, knew that it was King Laiusthat Oedipus had killed. Oedipus didnt even know that it was King Laius that hekilled. In the future, when Teiresias tries to convince Oedipus that he is thekiller, Oedipus turns him away and calls him a liar and blames it all on him:And Ill tell you what I think:You planned it, you had it done, you all butKilled him with your own hands: if you had eyes,Id say that the crime was yours, and yours alone. (1.2.331-334)Teiresius is a blind prophet, and it is possible that if Oedipus had listened tohim in the first place, his internal suffering may have been much less severe. He should have accepted what he had to say as fact no matter how unbelievable. OedipusI think that I myself may be accursedBy my own ignorant edict. JocastaYou speak strangely. It makes me tremble to look at you, my King. OedipusI am not sure that the blind man cannot see,But I should know better if you were to tell me(1.2.700-704)The prophecy also stated that Oedipus will be damned in marriage. Hemarries Jocasta and he rules as the King of Thebes and is well respected by allof his people. Once Oedipus realizes that he has married his own mother andkilled his own father and took his throne, he goes into a great depression. Hecan no longer look into the eyes of the people that have entrusted him for thelast few years, so he stabs out his eyes:Ah god!It was true!All the prophecies!Now,O light, may I look on to you for the last time!I, OedipusOedipus, damned in his birth, in his marriagedamned,Damned in the blood he shed with his own hand! (2.4.1115-1124)All of the suffering that Oedipus encounters is brought on by himselfbecause of his immense pride. Aristotles theories seem to hold true. If hewasnt so proud, he would have never killed King Laius and told Teiresius thathe was a liar. In the beginning, T eiresius was simply trying to ease him slowlyinto the truth. Oedipus was too proud to see any truths and he refused tobelieve that he could be responsible for such a horrible crime. He learned alesson about life and how there is more to it than just one persons pride. Work CitedSophocles. Oedipus Rex. World Literature. Orlando: Holt,Rinehart and Winston, 1993. 307-367.