5. Irony is a rhetorical device that creates an incongruity through words used to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning (verbal irony) or between what might be
expected and what actually occurs (situational irony). Find two instances of irony (either situational or
verbal) used in Oedipus the King. Write and briefly explain how each instance demonstrates irony.

Irony is a figure of speech or literary device in which what actually happens is completely different or opposite from the reader or audience's expectations

Explanation:

today we'd use social media to quickly spread a controversial idea, but in the eighteenth century, the printed pamphlet was highly effective. and thomas paine took full advantage of it. on january 9, 1776, when paine published his pamphlet, "common sense," he wanted to push the american people toward independence from britain. it ultimately ignite the american revolution. thomas paine argued that the monarchy was evil and should be rejected as a form of government. to underscore his point, he cited the bible to argue his case -- in judges 8: 22-23: "the israelites said to gideon, 'rule over us, you and your son and your ' gideon told them, 'i will not rule over you. the lord will rule over you'" (nrsv).