Oedipus, later on, says to Teiresias, "Oedipus, the simple man, who knows nothing " - in line 383. What Oedipus means to say is that he knows it all because he destroyed the sphinx and rules the city. It is ironic because he intentionally says the opposite of what he means, but is actually saying the truth. Teiresias responds to Oedipus with, "But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind - in line 399. He does not mean that Oedipus is physically blind, but that he cannot see the wretchedness of his life. In line 402, Teiresias asks, "Who are your father and mother?- He does not mean to ask Oedipus, but to tell him who his parents are. Teiresias knows who they are and Oedipus should be the one to ask such a question. Another example of verbal irony not dealing with their conversation, deals with Iokaste. In line 1004 she tells Oedipus, "Is your life nothing to you? My own is pain enough for me to bear."" In the end we see that not even the pain of her own life was enough for her to bear and she kills herself.
The dramatic irony is found mainly in the beginning of the play, before Oedipus unravels the dark secrets of his life. In line 42 the priest is asking Oedipus to help lift the curse destroying the city. They need Oedipus like before when "A god's touch- enabled him to help the city. What they do not know is that the touch given by the gods is a part of the horrible fate the gods have planned for Oedipus. Oedipus tells his people, "Sick as you are, not one is as sick as I,"" in line 62. Oedipus and the city will later know that he is the sickest because the acts he commits are sicker than any plague. In line 109 Oedipus claims he never saw Laios, but we all know he met him where the three roads meet and killed him there without knowing the king's identity. In line 134, Oedipus says, "Then once more I must bring what is dark to light."" This is ironic because we know that he will eventually bring dark to light, but it will not make him a hero.
