The Blindness in Oedipus Rex
In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the minor character of Tiresias is responsible for foreshadowing Oedipus' fate, developing the theme of blindness, and also illustrating dramatic irony. Tiresias is responsible for further developing the theme of blindness, by using his own physical blindness to reveal to Oedipus his mental blindness. Lastly, Tiresias is ultimately responsible for imposing dramatic irony because of his great knowledge of the truth of Oedipus. As a fortune teller, Tiresias is able to see the fate and destruction of Oedipus' life. Tiresias uses his great ability to reveal to the reader the downfalls in Oedipus' life that will soon occur because of his quest to know his fate. The character of Tiresias demonstrates the use of foreshadowing in order for the reader to be aware of Oedipus' fate. Tiresias also foreshadows the self-mutilation and destruction of Oedipus. The following quotation clearly displays the use of foreshadowing by Tiresias, " I say you know not in what worst of shame you live together with those nearest you, and see not in what evil plight you stand." (Sophocles, pg 14). The preceding quotation foreshadows the self-destruction that Oedipus will commit b
Tiresias further develops the theme of blindness in Oedipus Rex. Tiresias is a blind man who can actually see the fated outcome of Oedipus' life. Even though Oedipus has full use of his physical vision, he is completely blind of his and his fate. Tiresias uses his own blindness to make Oedipus aware of his own mental blindness towards the truths of his life. Tiresias reveals to Oedipus that it is Oedipus' physical sight that deters him from seeing the truths of his past. The proceeding passage illustrates the theme of blindness as revealed by Tiresias to Oedipus. " And since you have reproached me with my blindness, I say - you have your sight, and do not see what evils are about you, nor with whom, nor in what home you are dwelling." (Sophocles, pg 15). This quotation clearly depicts the development of the theme of blindness, as Tiresias is tell Oedipus that even though he can see physically he is blinded by his quest to know the truth of his life. Tiresias tells Oedipus that he cannot see the torment that is a part of Oedipus' life. Tiresias reveals to the reader that to see physically does not mean that you can see mentally, as Oedipus clearly displays towards his past and his fate. Irony is displayed throughout Oedipus Rex and is ultimately displayed by Tiresias. Tiresias, even though completely blind physically, can see the "
Some common words found in the essay are:
Lastly Tiresias, Tiresias Tiresias, Tiresias Oedipus, Oedipus Tiresias, Rex Sophocles, Rex Tiresias, Oedipus Oedipus', Oedipus Rex, life tiresias, theme blindness, oedipus' life, mental blindness, oedipus rex, truth life, dramatic irony, learned truth, fate tiresias, sophocles pg, developing theme blindness, life tiresias reveals, towards past fate, truth life tiresias, tiresias revealed oedipus,
Approximate Word count = 911
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
