The story of Oedipus displays many elements of tragedy, a central element being tragic irony. At the beginning of the play, Oedipus commits to discovering and catching the killer of the former King, Laius, in order to end the plague. Oedipus first consults the blind prophet, asking if he knows anything about the murder. The prophet hesitantly accuses Oedipus, who refuses that he is the killer. Tragic irony, or the use of dramatic irony so that the character himself does not know of the tragedy, is seen in this part of the play. Oedipus does not know at the time that he truly is the killer, but later discovers that he just may be.
Oedipus is also ironic in the way that the efforts of Oedipus and his parents to avoid a prophecy result in the prophecy being fulfilled. King Laius was once told that he would be murdered by his son and his son would marry his wife. This prophecy was thought to be false, as Oedipus, Laius' son, was cast out as a baby. Oedipus had grown up with different parents and believed they were his true parents throughout the whole story. When Oedipus learns about the prophecy, he tries to avoid it but in the end fulfills it when he encounters his true parents. The story is ironic because Oedipus is truly the one who killed the King without knowing it because he did not know his true father was King Laius. This ironic tragedy is caused by misunderstandings and false perceptions and beliefs. As a result of Oedipus' lack of knowledge of his true parents, efforts to prevent the prophecy are unsuccessful.
Oedipus is also ironic in the way that the efforts of Oedipus and his parents to avoid a prophecy result in the prophecy being fulfilled. King Laius was once told that he would be murdered by his son and his son would marry his wife. This prophecy was thought to be false, as Oedipus, Laius' son, was cast out as a baby. Oedipus had grown up with different parents and believed they were his true parents throughout the whole story. When Oedipus learns about the prophecy, he tries to avoid it but in the end fulfills it when he encounters his true parents. The story is ironic because Oedipus is truly the one who killed the King without knowing it because he did not know his true father was King Laius. This ironic tragedy is caused by misunderstandings and false perceptions and beliefs. As a result of Oedipus' lack of knowledge of his true parents, efforts to prevent the prophecy are unsuccessful.