I want to use a definition from dictionary.com but I can't find it anywhere else.?

Question

My essay is about the Greek Tragedy "Oedipus the king". I want to use the term cosmic irony in a paraphrase but I am unsure whether or not it would weaken my argument. Since I can not find support for this idea in another credible website. >"Main Entry:  cosmic irony Part of Speech:  n Definition:  **the idea that fate, destiny, or a god controls and toys with human hopes and expectations**; also, the belief that the universe is so large and man is so small that the universe is indifferent to the plight of man; also called irony of fate Example:  Crane uses the theme of cosmic irony." My sentence would be: "Consequently, this demonstrates how fate victimizes Oedipus and hints the idea of cosmic irony" then followed by a quote/paraphrase of the definition. Should I use this term or not? Would there be a better way to phrase my argument?

Answer 1

My 3rd edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms includes "cosmic irony" under the entry for "irony" and I would consider this a reliable academic source. As long as you flesh out your argument sufficiently, there's no reason using this term should weaken your writing.

The excerpt from the entry reads, "The term cosmic irony is sometimes used to denote a view of people as dupes of a cruelly mocking Fate, as in the novels of Thomas Hardy."

Baldick, Chris. "irony." The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, Third Edition. Oxford University Press, 2008, pp. 174 - 175.

Answer 2

You and I may not agree on what constitutes a credible Web site. LOL

But the definition of "cosmic irony" that you are turning to is widely used, and fits the case of Oedipus as well.

My favorite definition is similar and comes from the classic sci-fi TV show "Quantum Leap." You may not be aware of this program, in which Scott Bakula plays a scientist trapped in time, moving back and forth to different times and different situations, where his character is given a chance to help others in trouble, if you will, to "save the day." Bakula's character just wants to go home, but he soldiers on, saving the day for someone every episode while questioning whether his own situation is a product of "God, time, fate or whatever." This is, to me, exactly what you are encountering (cosmic irony). If you need to watch an episode of Quantum Leap to see how it fits, let me know and I will recommend a couple for you.

As for a recommendation as to your particular argument, I didn't catch what your argument is. But if you are in (or examining) a situation where a "hero" (someone whom you are observing in the first person) questions his/her place in the universe, for any reason, there's your cosmic irony.