Subjects:
In Oedipus the King, sight and blindness were used as a metaphor for humanity's place in the universe. The gods and unchangeable fate remained hidden from humans; therefore, they were blind to the truth of existence. It is ironic that the only insight Oedipus had into the gods' will was through a blind man. Teiresias was a blind prophet who could "see" the truth about Oedipus' situation. The prophet was physically blind, and Oedipus was blind to his scandalous past. To explain this to Oedipus, Teiresias said, "You don't see how much alike we are" (749). Although he was blind to the outside world, Teiresias could foresee the despair the truth would cause Thebes. He warned Oedipus not to ask for the truth. He said, "Wisdom is a curse when wisdom does nothing for the man who has it" (748).
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him to that act. Because of his pride, Oedipus wanted to hide his sin from humanity. This is the light of reason which came from the gods and awareness. Like Teiresias, the Greeks should look for the internal truths, and not just accept what they see. The queen said this because she believed the prophecy about her son proved false. Jocasta also attacked the art of prophecy. Again he wished to avoid seeing the real truth, the fate the gods had chosen for him.
Oedipus blamed Apollo for his horrific fate. Humanity must always strive to choose the right paths for their lives. He felt he could no longer "look men in the eyes"
(780). It was his own pride that decreed the punishment for Laius' murder. Oedipus mocked Teiresias' skill of prophecy.
Although humans could not fully understand the universe, they were still expected to lead good, just lives.
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