In order to see and understand the truth, one must find a way to become physically blind according to King Oedipus. One who is physically blind can see the truth, while the man with sight is blind of it. In Sophocles, Oedipus Rex, there is a recurring motif of blindness versus sight both physically and metaphorically. Throughout the play sight is used as a metaphor for truth and insight, as well as physically because multiple characters are blind. Oedipus’s blindness of the truth, due to his excess pride of himself and insight given to him by Teresias, lead to the downfall of this tragic hero.
Teresias versus Oedipus is the relationship in this story that displays how literal and metaphorical blindness work inversely. When Oedipus wants to figure out how to end the plague by catching the murderer of Laius, he turns to the blind seer Teresias, who can forsee the future. …show more content…
Oedipus takes notice that a blind man may be the only one who has vision of what the future holds. Tersiasas does understand the outcome of the future and he explains the answer to Laius’s murder. He tells Oedipus, “To your mind he is foreign born, but it will soon be shown that he is Theban, a revelation that will fail to please. A blind man, who has his eyes now; a penniless man, who is rich now…” (Sophocles, 2006, 1.1.438-441). He explains characteristics of the murderer’s past and consequences that will cause his downfall. Based off the truth we know throughout the story Teresias has exceptional. Insight. Although, Teresias understands the truth, Oedipus stays blind to it throughout the
Teresias versus Oedipus is the relationship in this story that displays how literal and metaphorical blindness work inversely. When Oedipus wants to figure out how to end the plague by catching the murderer of Laius, he turns to the blind seer Teresias, who can forsee the future. …show more content…
Oedipus takes notice that a blind man may be the only one who has vision of what the future holds. Tersiasas does understand the outcome of the future and he explains the answer to Laius’s murder. He tells Oedipus, “To your mind he is foreign born, but it will soon be shown that he is Theban, a revelation that will fail to please. A blind man, who has his eyes now; a penniless man, who is rich now…” (Sophocles, 2006, 1.1.438-441). He explains characteristics of the murderer’s past and consequences that will cause his downfall. Based off the truth we know throughout the story Teresias has exceptional. Insight. Although, Teresias understands the truth, Oedipus stays blind to it throughout the