Irony and the Limits of Knowledge in Homer and Sophocles

Abstract

This article examines dramatic irony in Homer and Sophocles, focusing on the Odyssey, Oedipus Tyrannus, and Ajax. It argues that dramatic irony, which exploits differing levels of knowledge between characters and audiences, is closely linked to conceptions of humans and gods and the gap between mortal and divine cognition. In both Homer and Sophocles, irony is a key conduit through which such theological and epistemological ideas are articulated and communicated. The article identifies significant continuities between the use of dramatic irony in Homer and Sophocles, implying a shared intellectual background, despite some differences.