Throughout this passage, eyes and
sight were constantly mentioned. In the beginning Teiresias, the seer, is
blind. This seems almost paradoxical. Though he was blind, he was the only one
who was able to know and understand the truth of what was happening with
Oedipus. When he refuses to disclose this truth, Oedipus taunts him incessantly
about his blindness. However, when he reveals the truth, Oedipus asserts that
Teiresias is “blind in mind and ears as well as eyes” (page 26, lines 371-372)
and “cannot hurt [him] or any other who sees the light” (page 26, line 375). Sight
does not allow Oedipus to prepare for what is coming. He is so grieved by the
truth he finds at the end of the passage that he blinds himself. Once again,
the one who cannot see has seen the truth, and the connection between lost
sight and truth is maintained in the plot.
P.S. I commented on Ty and Daniel's post
P.S. I commented on Ty and Daniel's post
Wow, I never even noticed this until now. The wise one was blind and wouldnt tell the truth to the one who could see. Now the one who could see is now blind from knowing the truth. I wonder if the outcome would have changed if Teiresias had told him at the beginning? Sure the same lessons probably would'nt have been learned but maybe Oedipus would hve kept his sight? just a thought.
ReplyDeleteWow, I never even noticed this until now. The wise one was blind and wouldnt tell the truth to the one who could see. Now the one who could see is now blind from knowing the truth. I wonder if the outcome would have changed if Teiresias had told him at the beginning? Sure the same lessons probably would'nt have been learned but maybe Oedipus would hve kept his sight? just a thought.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great thought. There is definitely a lot of irony there as Oedipus physically blinds himself. I like how you pointed out how sight parallels to truth.
ReplyDelete