What is sight? Is it understanding? Knowledge? Truth? Can the sighted be blind? Can a blind man see? When the truth becomes too terrible, does one choose not to see? In Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, the characters of Tiresias and Oedipus form a complete contrast to one another. Tiresias, a blind man, can "see" the truth about Oedipus, yet Oedipus, in all of his physical perfection, cannot. Although Tiresias is physically blind, he sees the truth from the beginning, while Oedipus, who has physical eyesight, is blind to his fate. However, in the end, Oedipus blinds himself when he learns the truth and finally sees. Both the characters of Tiresias and Oedipus prove that seeing the truth does not require sight.
             Although, Tiresias, a seer, is physically blind, he is clairvoyant and sees more truth than the sighted. Tiresias is "A blind man, who has his sight now." It is ironic that the only insight Oedipus has into the gods' will is through a blind man. He cannot see the workings of the world. However, his contact with the gods gives him more knowledge and truth than any of the sighted can observe. Oedipus demands that Tiresias tell him the information sent from the gods, but Tiresias refuses, knowing that the mention of such words would be detrimental to Oedipus. Tiresias states, "Oh, what anguish to be wise where wisdom is a loss!" The knowledge of the retained information is disadvantageous to so many people and yet Oedipus still demands to know. Tiresias remarks, "If only you could see what lurks in yours, you would not chide me so." If only Oedipus were not so ignorant as to demand such information, he himself would benefit. He antagonizes Tiresias not only for the inf!
             ormation, but also because he mocks his sightlessness. Tiresias retorted, "I'm blind, you say; you mock at that! I say you see and still are blind-appallingly." Even with precious eyes, Oedipus is st...