Identity In Oedipus The King

The author uses dramatic irony to develop the theme of identity in Oedipus Rex by giving the reader a foresight on the whole problem that is going on in Thebes. However, the characters having to go off of hindsight and having to figure out the resolution step by step, makes the theme of identity very interesting. Moreover, the reader gets to see how the characters react and grasp disclosed information throughout the story. For example, on page twenty-five lines four-hundred and thirty- three Tiresias states to Oedipus, “...... You, even though you see clearly, do not see the scope of your evil, nor where you live, nor with whom you dwell. Do you know your true descent? And secretly you are an enemy to your own kin, both under the earth and …show more content…
This dramatic irony that the author divulges to the reader develops the theme of identity to Oedipus himself, for which he reacts by stating on page twenty-five lines four-hundred and forty-two through four-hundred and forty-four, “..... Am I to tolerate hearing this from this man? No, to hell with him! No! Turn around quickly and head back home, far away from here……”. Oedipus’ reaction and his grasp on this new found information that he strongly convicted as not genuine, develops his own theme of identity. For, Oedipus the hero of a struggling city also shows an ugly side of himself to a blind oracle that is trying to tell him what he sees in the future as this problem unravels. Furthermore, the developing theme of identity that is being shown through dramatic irony also shows on page twenty-six lines four-hundred and seventy-seven through four-hundred and eighty-five when Tiresias tells Oedipus, “.... For blind instead of seeing, a beggar instead of rich he will travel foreign earth, tapping it with his staff. He will be revealed to live with his children as brother and father both; and to his parents he is both his wife’s son and lord and his father’s fellow-sower and