Oedipus

Paragraph Essay

In the story Oedipus the King by Sophocles we learn about a character named Oedipus. He thinks very highly of himself and he thinks he's capable of handling anything. Basically everything that comes out of Oedipus's mouth in this story is ironic. Oedipus makes many ironic statements, which heighten the sense of impending doom for the character.

When Creon returns from the oracle of Apollo and tells Oedipus that the reason for the plague on Thebes is because the man who murdered the former king of Thebes Laius is living in Thebes. Creon says the only way to rid Thebes of the plague is to find the murderer and expel him from Thebes. Oedipus then asks Creon " Where did Laius meet his death? In his palace, in the countryside, or on some foreign soil." (p.8) This statement is ironic because Oedipus knows exactly where Lauis was killed since he's the one that murdered him. It heightens the sense of doom for Oedipus because we know when Oedipus finds out where he was killed he'll realize he was the one that did it. When the Corinthian messenger comes to Thebes to tell Oedipus that Polybus had passed away Jocasta tells Oedipus he does not have to fear killing his father anymore because he already died. Oedipus then says, " No, I must still fear and who would not? A marriage with my mother." (p.67) This is ironic because Oedipus is married to his mother so he really doesn't have anything to fear because he already killed his father and married his mother. This heightens the sense of impending doom for Oedipus because we know how disgusted he is with the thought of marrying his mother and soon he will find out he did marry his mother and have children with her. Later in the story when the Corinthian messenger tells Oedipus the city on Corinth wants to make him king he replies by saying " I will never go to the city where