Nuances of Irony: Oedipus Rex

Unlike modern day movies, plays, and other forms of literature, Greek plays did not rely on a riveting plot to snare the attention of the audience. In fact, most plays were well known myths which the audience was already familiar with. Because of this, the Greeks introduced several other facets to theater to compensate; one of the most illustrious of which is irony. Ironic ideas lull the audience into a false sense of predictability, then snap their minds in another direction, therefore adding a layer of enthrallment and deception to the plays. In addition, the unexpected can add humorous aspects to the performance, thus further broadening the spectrum of literary merit. With emphasis on the latter effect, irony is abundant in many Greek plays, specifically Oedipus Rex, and gives the performance more depth and substance for the audience to embrace.

One of the first examples of irony is shown in the opening pages of the script. Kreon tells Oedipus how to the plague that has stricken Thebes came to be and how to remedy it: "By exile or death, blood for blood. It was murder that brought the plague-wind on the city" (116). He then continues to speak of Laios' death: "He was murdered; and Apollo commands us now to take revenge upon whoever killed him" (116). The entire conversation between Kreon and Oedipus is ironic, for Kreon claims that the murderer is to be killed or exiled, and Oedipus agrees. Neither man knew, however, that Oedipus himself was the killer whom they sought. Under usual circumstances, the scene in which this takes place would be considered unexpected; therefore the audience would find it odd and perplexing. However, since the Greek audience is well aware of the plot, it is not as unusual to them, but still rather humorous in a sense.

A critical piece of the story is perhaps one of the most ironic. Before the play's opening scene, while Oedipus is living in Corinth, he hears of a prophecy claiming that he will marry his own mother and kill his father. In a desperate attempt to avoid such incidences, he flees Corinth to a city called Phokis. It is here that his hubris overwhelms him and Laios is slain by his hand. Therefore, in his attempt to prevent an event from occurring, he actually played a critical roll in its fulfillment. If he would have remained in Corinth, his encounter with Laios would never have transpired. The second part of the prophecy is completed after Oedipus travels from Phokis to Thebes. Using his cunning personality, he was able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx and release Thebes from the Sphinx's rule. As a reward, Oedipus is given the hand of Iokaste, the queen of Thebes and his own mother. In an attempt to escape the prophecy, Oedipus fulfilled it. Greeks may call it fate, but others call it irony.

Later on in the play, as the plot begins to unfold, Oedipus discovers the truth about Laios' murderer:

"Where is a man more miserable than I? More hated by the Gods? Citizen and alien alike must never shelter me or speak to me. I must be shunned by all. And I myself pronounced this malediction upon myself... Am I all evil, then? It must be so, since I must flee from Thebes, yet never again see my own countrymen, my own country..." (125).

One would expect a man in Oedipus' position to conjure a series of excuses in an attempt, albeit a futile one, to either deny or justify his actions against Laios. However, this is not the case, for he instead accepts his actions and claims that his punishment will be identical to that of any other man's who were to commit such a crime. The irony is reinforced with another quote by Oedipus in one of the final scenes of the play: "Ah God! It was true! All the prophecies! Now, O Light, may I look upon you for the last time!" (130). Oedipus essentially condemns himself to death, or at least to exile and eternal suffering. This form of irony has no comical intent, contrary to many other instances, but rather is strictly an unexpected action by a character. As one can clearly see, irony is a fascinating literary tactic used to add another dimension to a story. Depending on the situation, irony can be used in different ways, whether to withhold or regain the audience's attention, or to add a comical flare. Both types of irony are used in the play Oedipus Rex a number of times throughout the script. Because of this, the play retains its entertainment value despite the fact that it is based on a common myth. Without these many added pieces of irony, the play loses its appeal to many and may not be regarded as such a literary masterpiece hundreds of years after its conception.