What does seeing mean in Oedipus the King?

Throughout the story Oedipus tends to avoid “seeing” the truth about his prophecy, while Tiresias ‘ physical blindness allows him to “see” the truth. The symbolism of sight versus blindness motif is a representation of the idea of knowledge versus ignorance.

Does Oedipus become blind?

Oedipus’ decision to blind himself is very symbolic. Because of his hubris, he was blind to all of the warning signs about the path he was travelling. He refused to see. In the end, when all is brough to light, he blinds himself, so he finishes the play literally as blind as he figuratively was throughout.

How do the ideas of blindness and sight correlate to the ideas of ignorance and knowledge in Oedipus?

In the play Oedipus Rex, it is ironic that those without sight can “see” the truth, but those with sight are often “blind” and/or ignorant to the truth. Therefore, sight and knowledge are directly and ironically related. Tiresias reveals a prophecy which states that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother.

Is Tiresias blind?

Tiresias, in Greek mythology, a blind Theban seer, the son of one of Athena’s favourites, the nymph Chariclo. He is a participant in several well-known legends.

How is Oedipus blind to the truth?

The Chorus does not recognize Oedipus as the king he once was. In fact, he was metaphorically blind to the truth of his birth for much of his life; when Oedipus finally learned the truth, he physically blinded himself by poking out his eyes with the long gold pins from his dead wife’s brooches.

Why does Oedipus choose to blind himself?

Overall, Oedipus chooses stab out his eyes as a way of punishing himself for his hubris and ignorance. In this Athenian tragedy by Sophocles, Oedipus chooses to blind himself after it is revealed that he has, as foretold by a prophecy, killed his father and slept with his mother.

When did Jocasta realize the truth about Oedipus?

This is the climax of the play, when the truth begins to be revealed. At first Jocasta implores Oedipus to forget about what the messenger has said, trying to persuade him that “It’s not worth talking about” (p. 71, line 1332). As he keeps pressing the matter, Jocasta becomes more adamant, saying “No Oedipus!