Qedipus. a Blind King Essays - 1098 Words

Blindness can normally be defined as the inability of the eye to see, but according to this play, blindness is not always a physical quality, but a mental flaw some people posses. The author uses physical blindness, as well as intellectual blindness to illustrate Oedipus status as a tragic hero. Throughout the play, blindness is seen as a main theme, where Sophocles explored not only physical blindness, but also intellectual blindness. The theme of blindness is split into two main categories, where one is the ability to see, while the other is the willingness to see. Oedipus, who sets out to rescue the city of Thebes by bringing the killer of Laius to justice, becomes the victim of fate where whatever choice he makes seems to be the wrong†¦show more content†¦Teiresias, a blind prophet, re-enforces Oedipus mental blindness a number of times where he stated, you are the cursed polluter of this land (line353). Teiresias himself is blind, yet he can see the truth, as he can see into the future. Proof that shows us that Teiresias is a man of his word is when he stated, Your mothers and fathers curse, shall sweep you out of this land. Those now clear seeing eyes shall be darkened (lines 417-419). These words made Oedipus extremely angry where he retaliated against Teiresias by calling him names and ordering him to get out of his sight. Teiresias makes a final statement, When you can prove me wrong, then call me blind (line 513), where he leaves Oedipus in a state of confusion. Oedipus goes through a series of emotions where he believes that he is being plotted against and starts to become defensive about the accusations that have been said to his name. The other form of blindness that Oedipus had come to experience was that of physical blindness. When the truth had come out about Oedipus past, his kingdom began to fall, starting off with Jocasta hanging herself. In seeing this, Oedipus took a golden brooch from Jocastas dress and pierced his eyeballs time and time again, till bloody tears ran down his beard. Oedipus had too much pride and was mentally weak, which didnt allow him to accept the truth, which all lead into him physically blinding