Examples Of Blindness In Oedipus The King

Blindness was used both literally and figuratively in Oedipus the King to symbolize Oedipus's denial, guilt and the lack of perception to his faults which showed Oedipus's true identity versus whom he thought he was.
Oedipus was in denial of the truth. He was so blind that when confronted by Tiresias with the truth of his crimes he was quick to deny that he could have had anything to do with the death of Laius. When the blame was pointed at him by Tiresias, Oedipus went as far to question Tiresias abilities as a seer, and then proceeded to accuse Tiresias and Creon of having a plot to throw him out of crown. "Creon, or you? Which of you made this plot" (Sophocles 61). He was so blind that he would blame others around him than stop to think about the possibility that he was truly the one to have done it after all. He truly believed that he had no responsibility in the death of Laius. This shows that Oedipus was blind to who he truly was and that he was blinded by who he thought he was as a person. …show more content…
He had a strong lack of knowledge and perception throughout the play despite being known for solving riddles. Furthermore, he had no idea that he had been the one to have killed Laius and could not see what was seemingly obvious. Tiresias on the other hand was literally blind but had the most knowledge and perception. He knew what Oedipus, whom had his sight did not know. As a result, Tiresias knew of Oedipus's tragic fate. "You have your sight, yet you cannot see" (Sophocles 62). Tiresias is pointing at that Oedipus whom has his sight is completely oblivious to something that is seen by Tiresias as