Irony, Arrogance, And Oedipus Essay -- essays research papers

     "Listen to me. You mock my blindness, do you?/ But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind" (I, 195-196). With these memorable words, the sightless seer Teiresias all but paints the entire tragic story of Sophocles Oedipus the King, one of the close prominent pieces of Greek literary heritage. Greeks knew and loved the story of Oedipus from childhood, just as children today cherish the story of Cinderella. In his version of the beloved tale, Sophocles concentrates his guardianship on the events directly leading to Oedipus destruction, portraying Oedipus as a baffled pawn of fate. The most prominent literary device is childs playtic irony, in the main of the spoken word, through which--especially in the Prologue--Sophocles captures audience attention, illuminates Oedipus arrogant personality, and foreshadows the events of the final scenes.     It is non difficult to understand why Sophocles resorts to dramatic irony i n the social structure of his play. He is working with much the same problem a present-day(a) playwright would face in fashioning a play roughly the Cinderella motif audience familiarity, leading to a lack of suspense. It is difficult to halt audience interest when the conclusion and the events leading up to it are axiomatic to everyone. To circumvent this difficulty, Sophocles saturates his play with dramatic irony, riveting the audience with the awareness that they discern more than Oedipus, letting them cringe with the delicious knowledge of the misfortunes he discontinue behind face. Sophocles employs the blindness of Oedipus to such advantage that he creates an atmosphere similar in many respects to that of a modern horror film. The audience knows the polish well and has probably been there before, but the journey is too satisfying to forego.     Understandably, it is the Prologue that is richest in dramatic irony, because in that scene, everyone c oncerned is still in unload darkness to the truth and their ignorance therefore causes their words to carry far great weight. Oedipus comes out to the people, moved with compassion at their suffering, and says to their spokesman the Priest "Tell me, and neer doubt that I will serving you/In every modal value I can I should be heartless/Were I non moved to find you suppliant here" (Prologue 12-14). He will help them ... ... He seeks to make the denote of Oedipus a force to be reckoned with, a terror to evildoers. And, frankly, he desires to perpetuate his summons by elevating himself to celebrity status. unitary can almost hear the gods laughing as Oedipus builds his air castles. Oedipus shall then perpetuate his name--in one of the most horrible ways imaginable. He will indeed save Thebes--but he will destroy himself in the process. His name will become a byword forever. He will leave an unending legacy not of glory and fame but of infamy and shame.   & nbsp through and through Oedipus the King Sophocles presents the paradox of a man whose good side causes ill-treat and whose bad side works good. The character of Oedipus itself is one vicious irony, for his virtues repay into virulent vices that wreak his complete destruction. Though the story he tells is a heartbreaking and predictable tragedy, Sophocles masterfully employs the tools of his craft to fashion a drama that has captured the fascination of untold generations. Perhaps therein lies the ultimate irony The name of Oedipus will always be cloaked in a shoot of darkest ignominy, but that of Sophocles remains forever radiant in brightest glory.