Sophocles’ Ancient Greek tragedy, Oedipus Tyrannus, explores the concept and significance of sight versus blindness by utilising imagery and figurative language. These techniques are often used in plays to evoke meaning about people, society and morals of the time. This major motif of blindness, prevalent throughout the play is truly representative of the idea of knowledge versus ignorance. The protagonist, Oedipus, finds himself as King of Thebes after correctly solving the riddle of the Sphinx. He begins as a great king but is faced with his tragic flaw; his metaphorical blindness to his fate and destiny. Oedipus is blind to the fact that he is caught up in a web of cruel destiny that he cannot escape. As a young boy, he was informed that
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He is introduced as a strong and powerful king, however, displays his ignorance of his past. In a conversation between Tiresias and Oedipus, Tiresias states, “You criticise my temper. Your eyes are shut to your own…” This metaphor infers the meaning that Oedipus is close-minded to his past and ignorant to his present. Although Tiresias is blind himself, he gives insight into the dreaded fate of Oedipus’ life. In Greek, the word temper is orgē. This is a feminine word suggesting that Tiresias is in fact referring to a woman, hinting towards Oedipus’ blindness towards his incestuous relationship with Jocasta. Tiresias emphasises his point when he states, “You mocked me for my blindness, but I tell you this - you may have eyes, but you cannot see your danger – where you’re living, who you’re living with." The comparison between sight and blindness is evident in this metaphor. Tiresias who is blind can very clearly ‘see’ what Oedipus cannot. He reveals to Oedipus what he has ignored but Oedipus continues to be oblivious to his dreadful fate. His ignorance sparks from his self-pride and his unwillingness to believe his horrific …show more content…
Oedipus spirals into a frenzied state of mental decay and irrationality, depicted by imagery and metaphor. The huge amount of destruction he has caused, has left an indent in Oedipus’ mind. Oedipus’ vision finally becomes clear for the first time in his life when he comprehends all the distress he has caused, however, this greatly overwhelms him. As a result of this it is said in the chorus that he "…struck his eyeballs in their sockets, shouting that they would never again see him or the evils he had suffered, or inflicted; but would see in darkness now those they should never have seen…” . The imagery of striking his eyeballs represents the anger and distress within him. The use of the word darkness creates the impression that Oedipus’ mind is full of sinful and gloomy thoughts. Oedipus expresses himself when he states, “I think that neither the Isther nor the Phasis could wash and cleanse this house of all its evils…” The Isther and Phasis are large and mighty rivers in Greece. This metaphor suggests that no amount of water and purification can cleanse the treacheries of the house. Oedipus encountered incestuous relationships in the house as well as the suicide of Jocasta. Oedipus himself balls his eyes out in the same house. All these treacherous events result in a house full of evils. His mind metaphorically becomes clear, however, he was physically blinded, in the sense
He is introduced as a strong and powerful king, however, displays his ignorance of his past. In a conversation between Tiresias and Oedipus, Tiresias states, “You criticise my temper. Your eyes are shut to your own…” This metaphor infers the meaning that Oedipus is close-minded to his past and ignorant to his present. Although Tiresias is blind himself, he gives insight into the dreaded fate of Oedipus’ life. In Greek, the word temper is orgē. This is a feminine word suggesting that Tiresias is in fact referring to a woman, hinting towards Oedipus’ blindness towards his incestuous relationship with Jocasta. Tiresias emphasises his point when he states, “You mocked me for my blindness, but I tell you this - you may have eyes, but you cannot see your danger – where you’re living, who you’re living with." The comparison between sight and blindness is evident in this metaphor. Tiresias who is blind can very clearly ‘see’ what Oedipus cannot. He reveals to Oedipus what he has ignored but Oedipus continues to be oblivious to his dreadful fate. His ignorance sparks from his self-pride and his unwillingness to believe his horrific …show more content…
Oedipus spirals into a frenzied state of mental decay and irrationality, depicted by imagery and metaphor. The huge amount of destruction he has caused, has left an indent in Oedipus’ mind. Oedipus’ vision finally becomes clear for the first time in his life when he comprehends all the distress he has caused, however, this greatly overwhelms him. As a result of this it is said in the chorus that he "…struck his eyeballs in their sockets, shouting that they would never again see him or the evils he had suffered, or inflicted; but would see in darkness now those they should never have seen…” . The imagery of striking his eyeballs represents the anger and distress within him. The use of the word darkness creates the impression that Oedipus’ mind is full of sinful and gloomy thoughts. Oedipus expresses himself when he states, “I think that neither the Isther nor the Phasis could wash and cleanse this house of all its evils…” The Isther and Phasis are large and mighty rivers in Greece. This metaphor suggests that no amount of water and purification can cleanse the treacheries of the house. Oedipus encountered incestuous relationships in the house as well as the suicide of Jocasta. Oedipus himself balls his eyes out in the same house. All these treacherous events result in a house full of evils. His mind metaphorically becomes clear, however, he was physically blinded, in the sense