The city of Thebes has been cursed by a plague caused by an unclean being that murdered Laius. While in despair, Oedipus cursed the murderer into exile. "I curse that murderer; if he is alone I curse him"(Sophocles, line 263). The murderer of King Laius is Oedipus, so Oedipus is cursing himself into exile. The irony of that statement is that Oedipus is cursing himself and does not know it. Then Oedipus continues the speech and he says that, "I will fight for him like I would fight for my father. My search will never end until I take in chains the murderer of Laius"(Lines 282-285). Laius

There was an oracle told to Oedipus when he was younger that he would kill his father and wed his mother. Jocasta tells Oedipus that prophets are not correct all the time. She went on to tell him that she once bore a child to Laius, and Apollo told them that this child would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. At that point Oedipus was scared because of the oracle told to him when he was younger. It is ironic that Oedipus could have this much guilt placed on him in this short amount of time. He replied to her, "As I listen, my queen, my thoughts went reaching out and touched on memories that make me shudder..."(lines, 759-760). Oedipus has just reacted to what Jocasta, his wife/mother, has told him. He is terrified because he believes that he may have been the one who killed Laius. Oedipus goes on to ask Jocasta multiple questions about who, what when and where this all happened. After every answered question Oedipus reacted with more and more grief. Every question showed more and more evidence that Oedipus had been the murderer of Laius. When the messenger came Jocasta begged Oedipus not to ask of him the truth, "But evil lies in wait for you...oh, do not let him find the truth"(lines, 1003-1004). Once again Oedipus has caused his own punishment, by not listening to Jocasta. It is ironic that all times he has been begged not to find out the truth and he has anyway. Every time it has all be punishment on him. Once again fate has figured the two oracles to be the same, but free will has punished Oedipus.

is Oedipus's father, so he will fight for Laius like he would fight for his father. Irony is also present in the second sentence of the quote because his se

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1135
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)