"Oedipus Rex"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the most tragic destiny is a man having to murder his father and husband of his mother as was prophesied for Oedipus. The author points out that Sophocles artfully sprinkles ironies throughout the tale of Oedipus, which compounds this tragedy that is Oedipus' fate; moreover, Oedipus not knowing until much later in the play causes the reader to have an emotional response to the story as it progresses and the tensions build dramatically. The paper relates that the most bitter of ironies comes when Jocasta scoffs at the art of prophecy, beginning her speech, meaning only to comfort Oedipus, by showing him that the prediction that her son would kill Laius did not come true.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Overview
The Ironies
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Desperate for any clues, Oedipus asks for details of Laius' death. He is told that robbers killed King Laius, but further inquest into the matter was halted. When pressed to why no one would investigate the murder of royalty, it is ironically the Sphinx that compelled them to "let slide the dim past and attend instant needs" (Sophocles). These needs were the establishment of Oedipus as King and consort of the Queen, his mother. If not for this intervention by the Sphinx, who placed Oedipus on the throne, perhaps it would've been discovered that he was Laius' murderer, prior to him becoming the new King of Thebes, and bedding his mother."

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