Oedipus the King: Quote 1

Quote

Now you have me to fight for you, you’ll see:

I am the land’s avenger by all rights,

and Apollo’s champion too.

But not to assist some distant kinsman, no,

for my own sake I’ll rid us of this corruption. (153-157)

Analysis

These lines, where Oedipus vows to find Laius’ killer, are demonstrative of the amount of irony present in the play. The first example of irony is when Oedipus tells the Thebans they can be dependent on him as they have him “to fight” for them. This is ironic because although Oedipus claims the Thebans will “see” that they can depend on him (this is one of the many references to eyesight, which Oedipus eventually loses), as he is a strong fighter, he is actually weakening throughout the play until the Thebans no longer find him suitable to rule. The second instance of irony is Oedipus’ reasons for why he is a strong fighter. Oedipus’ first reason is because he is “the land’s avenger”, but in reality he is the source of the plague and the cause of the death of his citizens. Oedipus’ second reason is that Apollo chose him to be his “champion”. Even though Oedipus is correct that he was chosen by Apollo, his interpretation of being “Apollo’s champion” is incorrect Apollo chose him to be the central force in King Laius’ prophecy, not as his warrior. The fourth example of irony, probably the most recognizable and essential to the play, is Oedipus claiming no relation to King Laius. Oedipus’ ignorance to his relationship with not only King Laius but also Jocasta is one of the most used examples of dramatic irony in the play and is the core element of the story. The final example of irony is Oedipus vowing to “rid” Thebes of “corruption” for his own sake. Being the source of the corruption, Oedipus has unknowingly vowed to rid the city of himself, and has unawarely stated that he wants to bring his own demise. The reason irony is so prevalent in the play is Sophocles, as other Ancient Greek play writers, used irony to trigger strong emotional reactions from the audience, as through catharsis was how Ancient Greek playwrights “purified” the crowd.

Reaction

“Apollo’s Champion”

Apollo guided the arrow into Achilles deep

and soon to fly at your own swollen feet.

He has put you from birth on an unwanted trail

that has delusional three forks and pain to unveil.

Solving the Sphinx, to Thebes you brought light

but soon upon you they’ll see horrors of night.

You will have two legs during the day

but a helping hand will need to lead the way.

From Delphi only one will survive

and now one is no longer alive.

Citation

Sophocles. Oedipus the King. The Three Theban Plays. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Classics, 1984. Print.