![]() Oedipus Rex plays on these universal fears and strikes pity and horror into the hearts of an audience as they witness the story of someone who must face his darkest dreams. A person will always have a niggling fear that they are blind to something in his or her life that could cause them to make a terrible mistake. Ignorance can come about by a failure to truly see, or as a blissful ignorance where one does not even know that he or she is ignorant of anything at all. A person can become blinded by emotions: it is said that love is blind, and a person can lash out in a blind rage. There are so many ways a person can fail to see a situation clearly. This theme of sight and blindness is as relevant for a contemporary audience as it was back in ancient Greece. Oedipus’s darkness overtakes him figuratively and also literally, as he will no longer see, and no longer wishes to see, with his physical eyes ever again. The Chorus’ final words remark that “a black sea of terror has overwhelmed ” (1684). ![]() The “saviour” and “light” of Thebes is now its cause of “destruction” and “darkness.” Oedipus stabs out his eyes, saying, “What good were eyes to me? / Nothing I could see could bring me joy” (1474-75) as he realizes, “he blackest things / a man can do, I have done them all!” (1543-44). Oedipus hungrily seeks out the truth of his identity and finally his dark deeds are brought into the light. Ironically, the blind prophet truly sees while the seeing man, who thinks he “sees the light,” is blind. When Tiresias tells Oedipus he is the murderer, the King furiously responds by telling Tiresias he is “stone-blind, stone-deaf – senses, eyes blind as stone! …You can’t hurt me or anyone else who sees the light” (223-28). Oedipus fails to see who he really is (the son of Laius and Jocasta) and thus fails to see his crimes. Unfortunately, Oedipus as the “light” of Thebes does not last long as his crimes have plunged the city into darkness, disease, and death.Įven though Oedipus can see with his eyes, he is, as Tiresias tells him, “blind to the corruption of life” (470-71). He is beloved by all and he loves his people. Oedipus is not portrayed as this heinous, murderous and incestuous man. The Priest calls him “first of men” (41). Oedipus solves the Sphynx’s riddle and is hailed a hero. While Oedipus’s story on stage in Oedipus Rex begins and ends in darkness, Oedipus’s first appearance in Thebes, revealed to the audience through reminiscence, brings light and hope to the people. This imagery of sight and blindness is a theme that drives the story forward, both figuratively and literally. ![]() The crimes themselves are also pictured as dark they are the blackest, most horrific deeds any human being could commit. Oedipus’s crimes are in the dark, out of sight and mind, until various characters bring the truth to light. The theme of sight and blindness is closely associated with the theme of darkness and light. Oedipus is blind to his crimes, yet he insists that he be told the truth. The theme of sight and blindness is heavily present throughout Sophocles’s play, Oedipus Rex (also known as Oedipus the King).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |