Though at this point the reader cannot be sure which character is right, eventually Tiresias comes out the winner. You called me here, I never would have come. The approach to describing blindness deals with not only physical blindness but also metaphorical blindness. . Again, Jocasta advises him not to worry about prophecies. He let his pride and having the authority to be king, destroy his life. One of the main underlying themes in the play is the struggle of sight . Can the sighted be blind? Tiresias admits, You are a king. Oedipus furthers Sophocles' sight metaphor when he defends his These are the three main symbols that were used in the story, and sight means knowledge, self-affliction stems from a sense of guilt, and the three way crossroad stands for decisions. Light is associated with understanding, and darkness is associated with ignorance. I would say that Oedipus is a classic case of uncertain vision. Although Oedipus is revered for his ability see situations clearly, blindness is a thread that runs throughout the story and it is this blindness of his position that does not allow him to make the connection. Overhearing, the messenger offers what he believes will be cheering news. He then planned to never return to Corinth. Previous Oedipus, in Greek mythology, the king of Thebes who unwittingly killed his father and married his mother. Ironically, this causes the king to gouge out his eyes, which have been blind to the truth for so long. "So this is what he wants, Creon the loyal, Creon so long my friend! google_ad_width = 160; Thanks for checking out our website. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% The story of Oedipus the King have many symbols and metaphors that can be interpreted differently from person to person. The only lead they have on the plague is about the murder of their old king, Laius. We do not wish to kill our father and marry our mother, but we can relate metaphorically to his situation. I say you see and still are blind - appallingly: Blind to your origins and to a union in your house." Eyes, crossroads, and Oedipus ankles are symbols revealed to the reader throughout the story. Continue to start your free trial. In Oedipus the King Oedipus the King, there are many themes universal to all humans. It allows an individual to perceive the situation and emotionally respond to it. This is revealed as Oedipus learns his tragic fate, saying, O god-all come true, all burst to light! When Oedipus learns the truth, it "bursts" into light. Sight, therefore, seems to be like good and evil, a person may only choose one. In fact, "seeing" could be called a unifying metaphor. Oh, look upon the city, see the storm that batters down this citys prow in waves of blood (pg 5). First, his blindness takes the form of mere ignorance, with Oedipus not knowing. Body paragraph 1 In the story Oedipus the king, Sophocles use literary motif of blindness and sight to his great advantage. Oedipus becomes determined to track down the shepherd and learn the truth of his birth. As the play opens, the citizens of Thebes beg their king, Oedipus, to lift the plague that threatens to destroy the city. Stealing up to overthrow and snatch!" By clicking Check Writers Offers, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy. Thus the idea