Use of Irony in Oedipus RexOedipus Rex, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles at the dawn of antiquity, is based on an even older story in Greek mythology. Sophocles, however, knowing that his audience is aware of the outcome of the play, uses that foreknowledge to create various situations in which dramatic and verbal irony play key roles. Through his use of irony Sophocles manages to avoid simply repeating an old story, although the audience is aware of the end of the story and is intrigued by the irony present in the story. For example, when Oedipus pronounces his curse on the head of the murderer of King Laius in the opening scenes of the play: Thus will I fight on the side of the gods, and on the side of the slain man! But my curse rests on the one who committed the murder. this, whether he is alone or whether he hides his part with others. May he not be free from any misery if he shares my house or sits at my hearth and I have knowledge of it. May it fall on myself, as I called it! -Oedipus from Oedipus RexWhen Oedipus utters this sentence he has already unconsciously judged himself and, amid the excitement of the crowd, foreshadows subsequent events to come. This statement is a classic example of verbal irony. In it Oedipus, thinking of addressing his declaration to some bandit or conspirator, actually condemns himself. Further examples of irony include his speech when he first responds to the refrain "... Because of all these things I will fight for him as I would fight for my murdered father." The irony inherent in this speech of Oedipus to the choir lies mostly in this one line, since the murdered King Laius is his father. Sophocles does not reserve his use of irony for verbal irony, but also ranges in areas of irony of a dramatic nature. The entire play could be said to be an example of this, after all throughout the entire play Oedipus is unaware of the fate that awaits him, even though the spectator is intensely aware that Oedipus the king will become Oedipus the beggar..