My favorite scene in Oedipus the King is the conversation between Oedipus and Tiresias. The greatness of the scene lies in its use of irony, as well as, in a play between the figurative and literal meaning of the word “blindness”. Tiresias is a blind prophet whose “power of seeing shows him most nearly what Apollo sees” (343-443). Oedipus has a literal ability to see but his anger and fury unable him from seeing the truth.

The conversation starts when Tiresias, reluctant about his visit, finally arrives to the King’s palace. Oedipus and the chorus as well, hope that the prophet could explain who killed Lajos. The King greets Tiresias with great enthusiasm, calling him a “master of a hidden world” (363) who “can read earth and sky” (364), only to accuse him of being a murderer himself a few lines later. The quick change in King’s opinion is caused by Tiresias’ silence. The prophet knows the truth about the events, but he does not want to display it, explaining “the most terrible knowledge is the kind it pays no wise man to possess” (383-384). Finally, Tiresias reveals, “You killed the man whose killer you now hunt” (435) and both characters engage in a dialogue full of references to blindness.

The prophet states that Oedipus “has been living in the most hideous intimacy with his nearest and most loving kin, immersed in evil that he cannot see” (440-444). Tiresias exposes the truth about the King’s lineage; Oedipus is one of the Thebans. The King’s anger and fury do not let him echo the words said by Tiresias. Oedipus welcomes only a narrative which fits his own beliefs. He says to the prophet, “You have blind eyes, blind ears, and a blind brain” (447). This suggests that he does not consider Tiresias a respected interpreter anymore, but rather a fool who is trying to steal his power. This harsh opinion is emphasized later when Oedipus calls Tiresias “a blind groper in his art” (467).

Tiresias responds to all of Oedipus’ insults explaining, “You don’t see where you live or who shares your house “(499-500). This explains that the King does not know basic facts about his close family because he has been blinded to the truth his whole life. Later, the prophet foresees that Oedipus’ ignorance to facts which were laid out in front of him, will cause him a literal blindness, “Your eyes, which now see life, will then see darkness” (507-508). These two utterances clearly show the difference in the use of the word “see”, firstly with its metaphorical meaning, secondly just as literal action. The scene ends with Tiresias’ profound summary of Oedipus: “A blind man who still has eyes” (551).

Oedipus; “You have blind eyes, blind ears, and a blind brain” (447).

The San Francisco Symphony performance of Oedipus Rex: Stuart Skelton as Oedipus, Ayk Martirossian as Tiresias (1995).”

References

Oedipus Rex, San Francisco. Personal photograph taken by San Francisco Symphony. 1995. http://www.opera-opera.com.au/archive/stuartskelton.htm