Paradigm Switch

In Sophocles', Oedipus Rex; meaning Oedipus the King, the theme of sight and blindness becomes a metaphor to the truth and ignorance of the truth. Sight is defined as a mental perception or regard produced by visual images. In Oedipus Rex, sight, is portrayed more deeply on an intellectual level, rather than on a physical level; interpreted as the insight of the truth. In the play, Oedipus symbolizes ignorance; in contrast, Tiresias, a blind seer, represents the truth. The developing conflict between Oedipus and Tiresias demonstrates the struggle for the acceptance of the truth.

"Blind instead of seeing" (Page 41, Tiresias); is a powerful quote which summarizes the play Oedipus Rex. Throughout the play, Oedipus, who physically has perfect perception of materialistic objects, is naive to the truth about his life, and his past. From the beginning of the story, Oedipus's parents are unknown to Oedipus, unsure if his parents were the heirs of Corinth or not. He remains oblivious to the true appearance of things during the play, distracted by his kingship; quite similar to today's society's propaganda. Propaganda is a systematic effort to spread opinions or beliefs, especially by distortion and deception; any plan or method for spreading opinions or beliefs; propaganda in a sense works correlative to the true appearance of things; by deceiving it with the sense of sight. Aristotle's criteria of tragedies include "The hero's downfall, therefore, is partially her/his own fault, the result of free choice, not of accident or villainy or some overriding, malignant fate." Oedipus's tragic flaw, which is his overwhelming sense of pride, also prevents him from seeing the truth. An example of this is shown when Creon, his brother in law; or uncle, knows the truth about Oedipus; and asks him to come inside to discuss the situation. Instead, he urges on talking in front of the crowd of citizens, known in the story as the chorus. As a young man, Oedipus went to the Oracle of Delphi to seek for advice; the prophecy he received was 'You will kill your father and marry your mother'. When the King of Corinth passes away, Oedipus whom is slightly relieved, desperately pursued to know more about the death of his supposed father. Had the prophecy of Apollo been wrong? Oedipus, strongly believed in the Gods, knowing that they could not be wrong, he connects this with the slaying of Laius; still blind to Jocasta being his wife and his mother. From this point, it is clear for what Oedipus must do, to overcome his blindness.

Can blind people see? Referring to Oedipus, in context this citation is fairly ironic in the literal explanation. Although at the inferential level this quote is understandable. Tiresias is essential to the story since he develop the theme of blindness, by comparing his own physical blindness against Oedipus's mental blindness. Tiresias is responsible for the dramatic irony in the play; because of his knowledge of the truth of Oedipus, which he exposes to the audience. "You purblind man in ears, mind and vision" (Page 37, Tiresias Speech). He is an old, blind seer who has the gift of prophecy, which he received from the Gods. His blindness allows him to see the inner truth relying on wisdom and not