The Role of Tiresias Within the Play: Oedipus Rex

The Role Of Tiresias within the Play: Oedipus Rex

Characters in a play serve the purpose of giving the reader a story. Without characters, there is no story. Every character has a purpose. Some characters have a strong role, moving with intent and design while playing upon the personality and desire of other characters. In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the character Tiresias acts as a guide within the plot. He holds the key to advancement and seemingly controls the final outcome of many of the characters lives. Tiresias serves the purpose of motivating and propelling the main character Oedipus through the story. Through values such as truth, knowledge and faith, Tiresias controls the fate of Oedipus the King.

Tiresias is a blind soothsayer or rather, a prophet. As a prophet, Tiresias is ordained to tell the truth. Along with his prophetic insight, comes the responsibility and obligation to tell the truth in any circumstance. He claims that "the truth has power" (p. 25 Knox). Tiresias uses this power of truth to control Oedipus' fate. He reveals a truth to Oedipus, that will change his life forever. Tiresias tells Oedipus that "the truth with all its' strength is in [him]" (p. 23), meaning it's a part of w

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Oedipus eventually finds himself no longer in control of his fate because Tiresias' knowledge has pushed him into the dreadful and painstaking truth of reality. Having a guide within a play or novel may not seem like a very important figure in the story line. He prides himself in having wondrous wisdom, as other characters praise him for his accuracy and precision in foretelling the future. Tiresias knows that Oedipus is the murderer of Laius, and that Laius is his true father.

Despite whatever truth or knowledge Tiresias has, his faith in himself is much stronger than either of these. He also knows that Jocasta, his wife, is really his mother. As a blind prophet, Tiresias uses positive qualities such as knowledge, truth and faith to control Oedipus' future of negative misfortune. Oedipus does not fully understand what Tiresias is suggesting at first, but he soon realizes how important this information may be. He hints to Oedipus that he is "the enemy of [his own flesh and blood" (p.

By thoroughly examining the role of Tiresias, it is clear that this character is vitally important and essential to not only the development of the plot, but as well Oedipus Rex's fate. 26), Tiresias still remains strong in himself as a prophet, despite Oedipus' disbelief in him. Oedipus shows how he, as well as others, respect Tiresias and have faith in his prophecies. Oedipus seeks out Tiresias so that he can find the murderer of Laius.

Approximate Word count = 872
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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