FREE ESSAY ON THE BLINDESS IN OEDIPUS REX

THE BLINDESS IN OEDIPUS REX

The Blindness in Oedipus Rex
In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the minor character of Tiresias is responsible for
foreshadowing Oedipus' fate, developing the theme of blindness, and also illustrating
dramatic irony. Tiresias is responsible for further developing the theme of blindness, by
using his own physical blindness to reveal to Oedipus his mental blindness. Lastly,
Tiresias is ultimately responsible for imposing dramatic irony because of his great
knowledge of the truth of Oedipus. As a fortune teller, Tiresias is able to see the fate
and destruction of Oedipus' life. Tiresias uses his great ability to reveal to the reader
the downfalls in Oedipus' life that will soon occur because of his quest to know his
fate. The character of Tiresias demonstrates the use of foreshadowing in order for the
reader to be aware of Oedipus' fate.
Tiresias also foreshadows the self-mutilation and destruction of Oedipus. The following
quotation clearly displays the use of foreshadowing by Tiresias, " I say you know not in
what worst of shame you live together with those nearest you, and see not in what evil
plight you stand." (Sophocles, pg 14). The preceding quotation foreshadows the
self-destruction that Oedipus will commit because of the blindness that he holds towards
his past and his fate. Tiresias explains to Oedipus that even though he can physically
see now, in the future he will be blinded because he learned the truth of his life.
Tiresias clearly utilizes foreshadowing to illustrate the downfalls that will occur in
Oediups' fated life.
Tiresias further develops the theme of blindness in Oedipus Rex. Tiresias is a blind man
who can actually see the fated outcome of Oedipus' life. Even though Oedipus has full use
of his physical vision, he is completely blind of his and his fate. Tiresias uses his own
blindness to make Oedipus aware of his own mental blindness towards the truths of his
life. Tiresias reveals to Oedipus that it is Oedipus' physical sight that deters him from
seeing the truths of his past. The proceeding passage illustrates the theme of blindness
as revealed by Tiresias to Oedipus. " And since you have reproached me with my blindness,
I say - you have your sight, and do not see what evils are about you, nor with whom, nor
in what home you are dwelling." (Sophocles, pg 15). This quotation clearly depicts the
development of the theme of blindness, as Tiresias is tell Oedipus that even though he
can see physically he is blinded by his quest to know the truth of his life. Tiresias
tells Oedipus that he cannot see the torment that is a part of Oedipus' life. Tiresias
reveals to the reader that to see physically does not mean that you can see mentally, as
Oedipus clearly displays towards his past and his fate.
Irony is displayed throughout Oedipus Rex and is ultimately displayed by Tiresias.
Tiresias, even though completely blind physically, can see the "wretchedness" of Oedipus'
life. On the other hand, Oedipus, who has complete use of his sight, is totally blind to
his past and his fate. The extent of Oedipus' mental blindness is assisted by his ongoing
quest for the truths of his life, which end up ruining him. It is ironic that a man who
is blind physically can see the suffering and madness that will come to Oedipus in the
future due to his ongoing drive for knowledge. " In the event; for blind instead of
seeing, and poor for wealthy, to a foreign land, a staff to point his footsteps, he shall
go. Also to his own sons he shall be found related as a brother, though their sire, and
of the woman from whose womb he came both son and spouse; one that has raised up seed to
his own father, and has murdered him." (Sophocles, pg 17). This passage contains Tiresias
revealing knowledge of Oedipus' past to him. Oedipus has just learned the truth of his
past from a man who cannot see, which becomes very ironic to the reader. It is at this
point in the play where Oedipus learns that knowledge or sight of his past brings evil,
pain, and suffering into his life. It is quit ironic that a man of such physical
disability can still use his mental vision to see the truth and fate of Oedipus. Since
Tiresias had revealed to Oedipus his past, Oedipus had now found the truth of his life
and now that he can see mentally, he cannot endure the suffering that the truth has
brought upon him. It is quit ironic that Tiresias, who revealed to Oedipus the truth of
his past in blind physically and now that Oedipus has learned the truth, now blinds
himself physically because he cannot endure the pain and suffering that his quest for the
truth has brought upon him. 
Lastly, Tiresias is responsible for demonstrating dramatic irony by using his physical
blindness to ultimately reveal to Oedipus his mental blindness. Many people in society
today are blind to their past and how the outcome of certain events affects them. Some of
these people think that the only way to conquer this blindness is to seek out the truths
of their past in order to lead a more fulfilled life. 
Bibliography
Made an A in Literature class at Belhaven College!!