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Verbal and dramatic are the types of irony evidenced in Oedipus' curse on the household of Laius' murderer in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Theban King Oedipus can end the pestilence in Thebes only by identifying and punishing the guilty in the unsolved mysterious death of Laius, his royal predecessor and his wife's first husband. He is not getting help from Thebans. So he extends the punishment to whomsoever knows but does not share information and to whomsoever helps or harbors the guilty. To show that he means business, Oedipus concludes that he will carry this out regardless of the identities of the guilty and any accessories. Ironically, he is the guilty, and it is his royal household that therefore is so cursed.

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What is Oedipus's vow to the people of Thebes?

Oedipus vows to avenge Laius' death, and to lay a curse on and drive the murderer from Thebes.


How does Oedipus' curse on the murderer hint at the outcome of 'Oedipus Rex'?

That the Theban royal household may be implicated is the outcome hinted by Oedipus' curse on the murderer in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Apolline oracles says that the pestilence in Thebes will end with the identification and punishment of the guilty in the murder of Theban King Laius, King Oedipus' royal predecessor. Oedipus takes it upon himself to extend the curse of execution or exile to whomsoever harbors or helps the murderer. He volunteers that this curse will be carried out even if the murderer or murderous accessories are found within his own household within the Theban royal palace.


What does Oedipus curse on the murderer?

In Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex," Oedipus curses the murderer of King Laius, declaring that he will face severe punishments and be driven from Thebes. He demands that the murderer be exiled and that anyone who harbors him share in his fate. Oedipus's curse is a reflection of his determination to protect his city and his ignorance of his own identity as the murderer he seeks. This irony intensifies the tragedy as he unknowingly condemns himself.


Is Oedipus' cursing Laius' murderer an example of hamartia in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Theban King Oedipus' cursing Theban King Laius' murderer is an example of hamartia in 'Oedipus Rex'. The word 'hamartia' comes to us from Aristotle [384 B.C.E. - 322 B.C.E.]. The ancient Greek philosopher uses the word to refer to a 'flaw' or 'error' in a character or personality.The curse identifies Oedipus as an individual who's capable of rash actions and words. Specifically, Oedipus says that he will seek out and punish Laius' murderer even if the perpetrator is found within his own household. That may sound democratic and fair and impartial in the carrying out of justice. But it leaves no room for the role of good intentions, limits on human understanding, or mercy.


What literary technique is used and what does it reveal about Oedipus in Oedipus Rex when Oedipus utters a curse against Laius' murderer but the audience knows that Oedipus himself is the murderer?

The literary technique is called "dramatic irony," when the audience knows more than the characters do. Dramatic irony is at work; it reveals that Oedipus often speaks rashly.

Related Questions

What is Oedipus's vow to the people of Thebes?

Oedipus vows to avenge Laius' death, and to lay a curse on and drive the murderer from Thebes.


How does Oedipus' curse on the murderer hint at the outcome of 'Oedipus Rex'?

That the Theban royal household may be implicated is the outcome hinted by Oedipus' curse on the murderer in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the Apolline oracles says that the pestilence in Thebes will end with the identification and punishment of the guilty in the murder of Theban King Laius, King Oedipus' royal predecessor. Oedipus takes it upon himself to extend the curse of execution or exile to whomsoever harbors or helps the murderer. He volunteers that this curse will be carried out even if the murderer or murderous accessories are found within his own household within the Theban royal palace.


What does Oedipus curse on the murderer?

In Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex," Oedipus curses the murderer of King Laius, declaring that he will face severe punishments and be driven from Thebes. He demands that the murderer be exiled and that anyone who harbors him share in his fate. Oedipus's curse is a reflection of his determination to protect his city and his ignorance of his own identity as the murderer he seeks. This irony intensifies the tragedy as he unknowingly condemns himself.


What is the relationship between the curse Oedipus lays upon Laius' murderer and Creon's statement that these are not idle words?

The contrast between these statements sets up Creon as a foil for Oedipus and highlights Oedipus's hamartia


Is Oedipus' cursing Laius' murderer an example of hamartia in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Theban King Oedipus' cursing Theban King Laius' murderer is an example of hamartia in 'Oedipus Rex'. The word 'hamartia' comes to us from Aristotle [384 B.C.E. - 322 B.C.E.]. The ancient Greek philosopher uses the word to refer to a 'flaw' or 'error' in a character or personality.The curse identifies Oedipus as an individual who's capable of rash actions and words. Specifically, Oedipus says that he will seek out and punish Laius' murderer even if the perpetrator is found within his own household. That may sound democratic and fair and impartial in the carrying out of justice. But it leaves no room for the role of good intentions, limits on human understanding, or mercy.


What literary technique is used and what does it reveal about Oedipus in Oedipus Rex when Oedipus utters a curse against Laius' murderer but the audience knows that Oedipus himself is the murderer?

The literary technique is called "dramatic irony," when the audience knows more than the characters do. Dramatic irony is at work; it reveals that Oedipus often speaks rashly.


What is the relationship between the curse Oedipus lays upon Laius's murderer and Creon's statement that he doesn't speak idle words?

The contrast between these statements sets up Creon as a foil for Oedipus and highlights Oedipus's hamartia.


What is the relationship between the curse Oedipus lays upon Laius murderer and Creon's statement that he doesn't speak idle words?

The contrast between these statements sets up Creon as a foil for Oedipus and highlights Oedipus's hamartia.


What of these is an example of Oedipuss hamartia?

he utters a curse upon laius's murderer


Who is king laius in Antigone?

The father of Oedipus, who was Antigone's father. As the curse stated by Tiresias went, Oedipus ended up inadvertently killing Laius.


What are examples of Oedipus's hamartia?

He accuses Teiresias of plotting Laius's murder. He utters a curse upon Laius's murder.


What is an example of as it appears in the character Oedipus?

He utters a curse condemning Laius's killer and he accuses Teiresias of plotting Laius's murder.