The metaphor of eyes, seeing and blindness by Sophocles is used extensively thoughout the text. When Teiresias tells Oedipus that he is the killer that he seeks, Oedipus tells him in line 503 “
You have no truth, you're blind. Blind in your eyes.
What does Oedipus say about himself?
At the opening of Sophocles's Oedipus Rex, Oedipus views himself as
a “world-renowned king”
and as zealous, ruthless, and obdurate in the pursuit of truth. Oedipus also believes that he has a greater depth of feeling than any of his people.
How did Oedipus punish himself?
When Oedipus is exposed to the truth, he is overcome with shame, grief, and remorse. Once Oedipus realizes that he was not able to avoid the prophecy and is responsible for the plague, he is disgusted with himself and
stabs his own eyes using Jocasta's golden brooches
.
Why has Oedipus blinded himself?
Born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes, Oedipus was destined to be damned all his life. Upon birth, a prophecy surrounding him foresaw that he would murder his own father and marry his own mother. … Metaphorically, this is an act of punishment that Oedipus put on himself
because he is ashamed of what he has done
.
What does the blind prophet tell Oedipus?
Finally, when Oedipus furiously accuses Tiresias of the murder, Tiresias tells Oedipus that
Oedipus himself is the curse
. … Tiresias answers only in riddles, saying that the murderer of Laius will turn out to be both brother and father to his children, both son and husband to his mother.
What was Oedipus biggest mistake?
First off early on in Oedipus' life his first deadly mistake towards succeeding his self-inflicted downfall was
the murder of his father the former king
. In a blind rage without any motive, he kills Liaus and his men at a rode crossing.
What three heinous sins has Oedipus committed?
What three heinous sins has Oedipus committed, sins which were unspeakable and unforgivable in ancient Greek society?
Killed his father, married his mother, and fathered her children.
What God does Oedipus blame for his fate?
In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus blames
the god Apollo
for his fate, though he says that he alone is responsible for his reaction in blinding himself, which he does not regret.
Is Oedipus loyal to himself?
Oedipus does not try to save himself by hiding the truth. Instead, he
acts as a great and loyal king to the people of Thebes
because he sacrifices himself for the higher cause of his people's wellbeing.
What is the truth of Oedipus birth?
While his actual birth might not be so remarkable, the circumstances surrounding it are. The oracle tells Oedipus' father Laius, the King of Thebes, that
his son will kill him
. When Oedipus is born, Laius ties his hands and feet and leaves him on a mountainside to die.
Who found Oedipus as a baby?
Brief Summary
A shepherd
finds the baby, though, and takes him to King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth, who name him Oedipus and raise him as their own. One day, Oedipus goes to the Oracle of Delphi to find out who his real parents are.
What is the moral of Oedipus Rex?
The moral of Oedipus Rex is that
one cannot control one's own destiny and that pride leads to downfall
.
What curse did Oedipus place on his sons?
What curse did Oedipus place on his sons, Eteocles and Polynices, and how does this curse come to fruition?
They were cursed to die
.
How does Creon argue innocence?
Who does Creon suggest Oedipus go to for proof of his innocence? … Creon tells Oedipus to “go to Delphi” and “ask the prophet” (lines 728–729). Creon is arguing that
since he brought back “exactly what was said” from his trip to speak to Apollo he could not possibly be guilty
(line 730).
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.
Why does Antigone want to bury Polyneices?
Why Did Antigone Bury Polyneices?
Antigone buried her brother out of devotion and loyalty to both the Gods and her family
. Without one or the other, she would not have had the courage or thought of going against Creon's law and putting her life out on the line.
