The Metaphors Of Blindness In Sophocles's Play Oedipus Rex

The metaphor of blindness means the loss of hope, power, and identity. In Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex, the great and powerful king of Thebes, Oedipus becomes unaware and not serious of his deeds. He had murdered many people which makes him feel blind and lonely in society. He had lost the admiration of his people because of his cruel and unjust actions. After the death of his mother and wife, Jocasta, he had realized his truth, identity, and how his life is filled with darkness.
Oedipus had caused so much wrath to himself and all the other people in his society. He becomes blinded to the truth that he killed his father, King Laius, and anxious when Tiresias, Apollo 's servant, informs him his real identity and truth. Oedipus argues with Tiresias …show more content…
Tiresias says "So? I charge you, then, abide by the proclamation you have made: from this day forth, never speak again to these men or to me; you yourself are the pollution of this country." (Sophocles 19) In this quote, Tiresias is trying to show and express Oedipus 's real identity and truth. He becomes very angry and insolent with Oedipus. He thinks he is the evil in the society that is causing destruction and damage to the people. "I say you live in hideous shame with those most dear to you. You can not see the evil." (Sophocles 20) Tiresias states here how Oedipus is blind and not aware of his surroundings and actions. He says how he can’t see the evil in society or his shame making him feel loss and unaware of his identity and truth. Oedipus is living life with embarrassment and no admiration in his society. However, Oedipus gets violent towards Tiresias. "I can, if there is power in truth, you sightless, witless, senseless, mad old man!"(20). Oedipus 's insolent behavior and manners is what made him lose his identity. He doesn 't want to listen others as he is confident in his words and deeds. This makes Oedipus very anxious and call Tiresias the murder without any evidence. I say you …show more content…
Jocasta 's life becomes filled with darkness when she hears her husband is dead. This made Jocasta commit suicide to end all her grief and sorrow as she is also blinded of the actions around her. Oedipus 's flaws have caused him to lose both his parents King Laius and Jocasta. Oedipus is now left alone with the death of his mother. Oedipus unknowingly married his mother Jocasta and faced many obstacles in his life because of his wrong deeds. Jocasta 's life becomes filled with darkness when she hears her husband is dead. This made Jocasta commit suicide to end all her grief and sorrow as she is also blinded of the actions around her. Oedipus 's flaws have caused him to lose both his parents King Laius and Jocasta. Oedipus is now left alone with the death of his mother. "I am from Corinth. The news I bring ought to mean joy for you. Though it might be you will find some grief in it" ( Sophocles 48). The Messenger arrives to reveal the death of Oedipus father and his power to rule Thebes. This news makes Oedipus shocked as he is happy to hold his father 's position. Also, he is shocked when he finds out that he was the victim who had killed his own father. However, Jocasta was happy that her son became the king of Thebes. But she was also depressed that her husband King Laius had died as she wasn 't aware and didn 't know where her husband was for a long time,