In this quote Oedipus is speaking to his people, asking the murderer of King Laius to come forth. When no one responds to his nice punishment of only banishment and not physical punishment he gets angry and wishes bad upon the king's murderer. It is ironic because he is wishing things such as the things that plague his kingdom. He wishes bad harvest and fertility to the king's murderer(s). The Greek audience familiar with the myth would know that this is ironic because it is what Oedipus's punishment is for killing the King. The Oracle said that the plague would continue until the blood of Laius's murderer(s) was spilt. So now Oedipus is determined to find the murderer in order to save his kingdom and be seen as a great king. But little does he know that he is searching for himself.
I definately agree with Kimberly because it is ironic that Oedipus wants to find the murderer and punish him harshly when it's him ! He is trying to look like a hero by finding the guilty one when he's no hero at all and at the end im sure he will regret cursing himself !
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