Oedipus Rex Outline
Introduction Paragraph:
Hook:
The story of Oedipus has surpassed the original play in that even people who have never seen or read Oedipus Rex know the basic elements of the story.
Connection:
Tragic irony is what leads to the events that occur in the story of Oedipus Rex.
Sophocles's Oedipus Rex is about a young man who is so blinded by ambitions and desires that he winds up killing his father, marrying his mother and become both brother and father to his children.
By sending his son out into the world, Oedipus's father begins the series of events that leads to the bitter conclusion of the story, but this is only the first in a series of ironic moments which leads to tragedy.
Body Paragraph
The first example of irony occurs when the prophet Creon comes to tell Oedipus that the tragedies befalling the people of Thebes are because the killer of the former king has not been revealed or punished.
Support: "This blood brings on the storm which blasts our state" (119).
Detail: The irony is that it is Oedipus's bloodline which is holding the secrets of Laius murder.
Commentary: Creon says that a storm is coming which will bring about destruction, and the revelation of who killed Laius and the fact that Laius is Oedipus's father lead to the destruction of the family unit.
Commentary: By revealing the killer and helping Phoebes, Oedipus ends his own happiness.
Support: "What is sought / is found, but what is overlooked escapes" (129-30).
Detail: The Gods are angry because Laius's killer has not been caught and they are bringing the storm.
Commentary: Oedipus vows to find out who killed Laius in order to help the people of Thebes
Commentary: There is irony because Oedipus had not been in danger of revelation until he vows to find the killer, bringing about his own misery.
Body Paragraph 2:
Reason 2 -- Teiresias comes to reveal the truth to Odysseus, who refuses to see it and has the old man punished.
Support: "With your dearest family / Unknown to you, you are living in disgrace. / You have no idea how bad things are" (439-41).
Detail: Teiresias has revealed that Oedipus married his mother and killed his father.
Commentary: Rather than listen to the man, Oedipus instead accuses him of lying.
Commentary: Oedipus is unwilling to believe Teiresias's statement and claims he is trying to have the king overthrown.
Support: "Those eyes of yours, / Which now can see so clearly, will be dark" (505-6).
Detail: Oedipus does not believe the sins of the family and instead ignores Teiresias and the man warns him against metaphorical blindness.
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