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What is sight? Is it just the ability to recognize one's surroundings or is there more? Is it knowledge? Is it understanding? Can a blind man see? Can the sighted be blind? And beyond, when the truth is too terrible, do we choose not to see? The phrase "too see" has so very many connotations. One meaning is to know or to understand and the other is based on the physical aspects of things. As humans, we are distracted by the physical world, which causes us to be blinded by the most obvious of truths. Oedipus, the main character in Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex, could not see the truth, but the blind man, Teiresias, "saw" it plainly. Sophocles' uses blindness as a motif in the play Oedipus Rex. Oedipus, known for his intelligence, is ignorant and therefore blind, to the truth about himself and his past. Yet, when Teiresias exposes the truth he is shunned. It is left to Oedipus to overcome his "blindness," realize the truth, and accept fate.

Oedipus, "who bear the famous name," fled his home of Corinth in fear of fulfilling the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. During his flight, he Oedipus kills a caravan of presumed low-class travelers. Oedipus comes into Thebes a stranger and her

the Shepherd and the suicide hanging of his mother, wife and bearer of his children, does Oedipus realize the horrible truth about himself.

Now with the truth of himself realized, Oedipus is filled with grief and guilt. He blinds himself, left forever with the knowledge of the destruction and shame he has brought on his family. He says goodbye to daughters because he must live the rest of his life in exile and die where his parents intended, the "wild hills" of Kithairon. Oedipus blinding himself symbolizes his increase of knowledge, his sensitivity, and gives him the

hat his brother-in-law and at the same time his uncle is plotting to overthrow Oedipus and become king.

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Responding to Oedipus' attacks, Teiresias tells him "you with both your eyes you are blind: You can not see the wretchedness of your life, Nor in whose house you live, no, nor with whom. Who are your father and mother? Can you tell me? You don't even know the blind wrongs That you have done them, on earth and in the world below." Although, Oedipus and the citizens of Thebes do not know the truth, the audience understands that Teiresias represents insight, therefore his wise words should be perceived as prophecies of events to come and morals to learn. Teiresias though physically blind can see better or more clairvoyant than Oedipus who has perfect vision and yet still blind to the truth. In the same dialogue, Teiresias foreshadows " the double lash of your parents cur

Some common words found in the essay are:
Responding Oedipus', Oedipus Rex, Unwillingly Teiresias, Thebes Oedipus, Rex Oedipus, Kithairon Oedipus, Iokaste Henning, King Thebes, oedipus rex, truth truth, blind truth, play oedipus rex, oedipus believes, horrible truth, blind seer, play oedipus, oedipus' own, fate oedipus,

Approximate Word count = 1031
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous