Question

Why is it ironic that Oedipus curses Laius's murderer?

Answer 1

Answer:

It is ironic that Oedipus curses Laius's murderer because he is the real murderer

Explanation:

As the people are worried because of the coursed over the city, Oedipus focuses on discovering who was the murderer, and he coursed the guilty one and said that the murderer and any person who helped him must be exiled, what he ignored was that he was cursing himself since he had killed Laius before when he was not aware who he was.

Answer 2

It is ironic because Oedipus was his actual murderer.

In "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles, Oedipus can only end the pestilence in his kingdom by identifying and punishing Laius' murderer. Laius was his father (though he was unaware of the fact), his wife's first husband, and he also preceded Oedipus to the throne.

Oedipus' people, the Thebans, are not being as helpful as he wants. He sets a punishment for anyone--no matter who the person is--who knows the murderer and does not come forward, as well as anyone who helps the guilty.  

However, he was the murderer unknowingly. Oedipus and Laius had been involved on an accident at a crossroads without knowing each other's identity. Enraged because Laius almost ran him over, he had attacked and killed him. So since he is in fact the murderer, he was actually cursing himself.