One allusion present in Oedipus Rex is the allusion to the Sphinx. The Sphinx is referenced with the priest describing the current situation of Thebes in the beginning. The priest provides some context for this play by saying that Oedipus “save us from the Sphinx, that flinty singer, and the tribute we paid to her so long” (Prologue, 38). The Sphinx was basically a monster that plagued the town of Thebes prior to Oedipus’ arrival. Oedipus saved Thebes from the Sphinx and its plague by answering the Sphinx’s riddle correctly. The effect that this has on the text is that it gives context on how Oedipus came to be the king of Thebes. It also shows his power and wisdom. Another allusion in Oedipus Rex is the reference to the Oracle at Delphi.
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Irony is used with blindness and how only blind characters can really see. In scene one of this play Oedipus calls upon the blind seer Teiresias to determine the criminal haunting Thebes. Teiresias while being blind is able to determine that Oedipus is “the murderer that you seek” (1,347). Oedipus does not come to terms with this until later in the play. After coming to terms with this information he blinds himself because he is so disgusted. With his blindness and new found “sight” he determines that he must “go out to the wild hills, to Kithairon” (Exodos, 1398) as a punishment. Overall, this irony in Oedipus not seeing until he has blinded himself creates tension as the audience knows that Oedipus is guilty. This example irony is also one of the major themes of this …show more content…
Imagery is used to describe the tragedy that has befallen Thebes prior to this play’s beginning. The tragedy is described as such: “A rust consumers the buds and fruits of the earth; the herds are sick; children die unborn” (Prologue, 28). Later on it is then described that this tragedy is due to a murderer in the city and that the murderer must be removed. Overall, the effect of this imagery on the play is that is intricately describes the horrors and terrors the city is experiencing. After witnessing this description, the urgency in which this murderer must be found and removed is easily
Irony is used with blindness and how only blind characters can really see. In scene one of this play Oedipus calls upon the blind seer Teiresias to determine the criminal haunting Thebes. Teiresias while being blind is able to determine that Oedipus is “the murderer that you seek” (1,347). Oedipus does not come to terms with this until later in the play. After coming to terms with this information he blinds himself because he is so disgusted. With his blindness and new found “sight” he determines that he must “go out to the wild hills, to Kithairon” (Exodos, 1398) as a punishment. Overall, this irony in Oedipus not seeing until he has blinded himself creates tension as the audience knows that Oedipus is guilty. This example irony is also one of the major themes of this …show more content…
Imagery is used to describe the tragedy that has befallen Thebes prior to this play’s beginning. The tragedy is described as such: “A rust consumers the buds and fruits of the earth; the herds are sick; children die unborn” (Prologue, 28). Later on it is then described that this tragedy is due to a murderer in the city and that the murderer must be removed. Overall, the effect of this imagery on the play is that is intricately describes the horrors and terrors the city is experiencing. After witnessing this description, the urgency in which this murderer must be found and removed is easily