Oedipus Tyrannus Group

Question:

babyboo25
babyboo25
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In "Oedipus Tyrannus", what role does sight, eyes and blindness play in the work? What is their meaning?

Rate question:

Posted by babyboo25 on Wednesday November 26, 2008 at 8:46 AM and tagged with blindness, eyes, meaning, oedipus tyrannus, role, sight.

Answers:


  1. katemschultz Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    This question centers mainly on the characters of Oedipus and Teiresias. Remember, in literature, blindness usually symbolizes lack of knowledge or awareness. In "Oedipus", the symbolism is reversed and ironic. Oedipus is physically able to see (with his eyes), but he is blind to his sin (marrying his mother and killing his father). Teiresias is blind (physically), but is the one who "knows" what is going on and sheds light on Oedipus' sin. When Oedipus can "see" his sin, he physically blinds himself because he can't stand knowing the truth.

    Sources:
    http://classics.uc.edu/~johnson/tragedy/oedipus_king.html

    Rate answer:

    Posted by katemschultz on Wednesday November 26, 2008 at 9:06 AM