Oedipus 3

A detailed Summary of Oedipus 3


The Greek tragedy of Oedipus illustrates dramatic irony through Oedipus' noble birth which is unknown to him and his fall from the throne due to his fate and excessive pride.

In regard to his noble birth, Oedipus does not know he is born the son of King Liaus, the king of Thebes. As fate would have it, Oedipus eventually inherits the throne as King of Thebes even though he is brought up by another noble leader, Polybus, King of Corinth. Oedipus refers often to his upbringing throughout the play. Because of his nobility, the Thebans, as well as the Corinthians, admire him and treat him as their hero. On page 33 Oedipus proclaims, "he [will] fight for him (Liaus) now, as I would for my own father." Oedipus does not realize Liaus is his father because he believes Polybus is his true father, while we, the readers, know Liaus is actually Oedipus' real father. Another example of dramatic i


Throughout the foregoing series of events, all of which take place in a single day, Sophocles develops dramatic irony through the characteristics of his tragic hero.

rony in the play is expressed during the discussion between Oedipus, Jocasta, his wife and mother, and a messenger. Oedipus fears he may eventually murder his father until the messenger arrives with the news that Polybus has died. At this point, Oedipus feels relieved because he believes the burden of his fate is over since his "father" has died. On the contrary, the reader knows his troubles are just beginning when the messenger explains to Oedipus how Polybus is not his real father. Oedipus' predestined fate and growing pride, which stem from his noble birth, unfortunately lead to his demise as a ruler and his banishment from Thebes. From the time he was born, Oedipus was destined not only to kill his father but

Some common words found in the essay are:
Oedipus Polybus, Teiresias Oedipus, Thebans Corinthians, Oedipus Jocasta, Oedipus Oedipus', , King Liaus, Corinth Oedipus, dramatic irony, King Thebes, fate oedipus, noble birth, dramatic irony play, fate excessive, play throughout, fall throne, excessive pride, oedipus refers, fate excessive pride, irony play, king thebes,

Approximate Word count = 603
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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