#THE BLIND PROPHET IN OEDIPUS HOW TO#

This happens twice that she keeps him in the dark, and refrains him from seeing the light of his wrongs. When he almost sees the truth of his past, she convinces him that he is wrong, and that it is not possible that he was the killer of her late husband. Oedipus wife, Jocasta is a blinding figure in his life. It also shows that this spiritual sight has done no good for Tiresias, but one could also say that Oedipus physical sight has done no good for him either. ” (321) This is an example of how Tiresias does see, yet he is blind. When he is lead to the King, he comments “How terrible to see the truth when the truth is only pain to him who sees. Even though he suffers from physical blindness, Tiresias has captured spiritual sight. Meaning that while Oedipus had the sense of sight, he was blinded by his lack of perception. Through out the play, the reader sees that even though Oedipus has physical sight, he is spiritually blinded. You are the curse, the corruption of the land! ” (322) Oedipus still does not realize that he is the killer. You helped hatch the plot, you did the work, yes, short of killing him with your own hands- and given eyes Id say you did the killing single handed! ” (322) Tiresias rebuttals by saying “Is that so! I charge you, then, submit to that decree you just laid down: from this day onward speak to no one, not these citizens, not myself.

Oedipus also accuses Tiresias of conspiring King Lauis death. He also sees that he and Tiresias have something in common: they both are blind, yet now are able to see the obvious. After Oedipus takes his sight he realizes that he is mortal and has flaws. ” (323) This show that he thinks himself greater than the prophet and in essence greater than the gods, yet another example of his pride. He says “when did you ever prove yourself a prophet? When the Sphinx, that chanting Fury kept her deathwatch here, why silent thenI stopped the Sphinx! With no help from the birds, the flight of my own intelligence hit the mark. During the argument, Oedipus also shows his arrogance. Tiresias comes back denoting Oedipus blindness to the truth, but assures him that he will soon be able to see. It is ironic that Oedipus, who is disrespectful to Tiresias because of his blindness, eventually becomes blind himself. During the argument, Oedipus insults Tiresias of his blindness. These references give a continuous message of good and bad to both.

The play has many references to sight and blindness. This blame causes an argument between the two. These accusations Oedipus makes are caused by his fear of the truth he is too blind to see. This enrages Oedipus and he blames him for the murder, and then for conspiring with Creon to take his throne. So why thisuseless interrogation? Youll get nothing from me” (321) Tiresias says. Throughout the conversation between Oedipus and Tiresias, he will not divulge the information King Oedipus is longing to hear. Tiresias, who is able to see the truth of the downfall of Oedipus thorough the oracles prophecy even in his own blindness, becomes the comparative image from which Oedipus is judged, both by himself and by others. It is ironic that Tiresias can “see” what Oedipus can not though he suffers of old age and physical blindness. “(320) He has called on the blind seer who knows what the god Apollo sees. Oedipus replies “to force the gods to act against their will- no man has the power. When Oedipus vows to do everything in his power to find Laius killer, the leader of the chorus advises Oedipus that no one knows the identity of the murderer, and that the god Apollo should name him to the people. This is another example of his tragic flaws, pride. King Oedipus takes this task lightly, for he is the one who solved the riddle of the Sphinx, he surely could find the killer of royalty. Creon tells that the only way to stop the plaque is to find the killer of Lauis, the previous king. He insists on talking in front of the crowd of citizens. An example of Oedipus hubris is shown when he will not go into the palace to converse with Creon.

With the city of Thebes dying, Creon comes from the god Apollo to tell how to stop the plaque.

From the very beginning, Oedipus was blinded by pride.

#THE BLIND PROPHET IN OEDIPUS HOW TO#

The blind prophet in oedipus