Oedipus the King by Sopohocles Essay - 1567 Words

Oedipus the King by Sopohocles Works Cited Not Included Throughout the play, Oedipus the King, Sophocles refers to site and blindness to relate attitudes and knowledge of the past. The irony of sight in this play can be marked by Oedipus’ inability to realize that which is evident to the reader. His extreme pride is his tragic flaw. It blinds him from the truth. Oedipus blinding himself symbolizes his increase of knowledge, his sensitivity, and gives him the ability to finally see. He is now able to see the flaws of his hubris attitude, and the consequences of which his pride brought to him. From the very beginning, Oedipus was blinded by pride. With the city of Thebes dying, Creon comes from the god Apollo to tell how to stop†¦show more content†¦During the argument, Oedipus insults Tiresias’ of his blindness. It is ironic that Oedipus, who is disrespectful to Tiresias because of his blindness, eventually becomes blind himself. Tiresias comes back denoting Oedipus’ blindness to the truth, but assures him that he will soon be able to see. During the argument, Oedipus also shows his arrogance. He says when did you ever prove yourself a prophet? When the Sphinx, that chanting Fury kept her deathwatch here, why silent then†¦I stopped the Sphinx! With no help from the birds, the flight of my own intelligence hit the mark. (323) This show that he thinks himself greater than the prophet and in essence greater than the gods, yet another example of his pride. After Oedipus takes his sight he realizes that he is mortal and has flaws. He also sees that he and Tiresias have something in common: they both are blind, yet now are able to see the obvious. Oedipus also accuses Tiresias of conspiring King Lauis death. Now I see it all. You helped hatch the plot, you did the work, yes, short of killing him with your own hands- and given eyes I’d say you did the killing single handed! (322) Tiresias rebuttals by saying Is that so! I charge you, then, submit to that decree you just laid down: from this day onward speak to no one, not these citizens, not myself. You are the curse, the corruption of the land! (322) Oedipus still does not realize that he is the killer. Through out the