Found it, don't know if this applies to 8i but it works on 9i and 10g.

http://download-west.oracle.com/docs....htm#sthref379

Basically precede your string with a q' and any character for example q'* so to get out of the string you would have to issue *'

Or q'< Don't >' returns Don't , q'$ '$ etc.. you get the idea.