Topic 4: Discuss how light and darkness (sight and blindness) are used in Oedipus the King.<\/p>\n
Cheree Jenkins<\/p>\n
Instructor: Linda Rosenkranz<\/p>\n
English 2332 World Literature<\/p>\n
July 10th, 2022<\/p>\n
The Theme of Light and Darkness in Oedipus the King<\/p>\n
The play, Oedipus the King, was originally written by an ancient Greek playwright Sophocles in 750 BC. It was then translated and edited by Ian Johnson. The play begins with a description of a plague that had struck the Kingdom of Thebes. Oedipus begins looking for solutions to end the epidemic and sends Creon, his brother-in-law, to the oracle for advice on what must be done to save the city. Creon reports that the god revealed that to end the plaque, the killer of Laius, the former King, must be sought and punished. Oedipus organizes to try to find the murderer, but in the process, he offends and threatens many individuals. He releases a proclamation declaring that he would expel the person responsible for the plague from his kingdom. However, in the end, it turns out that the King himself is the assassin. Sophocles uses sight and blindness as allusions to the theme of light and darkness, which serves as the play\u2019s building block. This theme is depicted through two main characters; Teiresias and Oedipus. Sophocles metaphorically uses the theme of light and darkness to symbolize darkness, truth, and ignorance. <\/p>\n
Firstly, although Teiresias is physically blind, he is in light and sees the truth from the beginning. The light is the truth prophesied by Teiresias concerning the murderer of Laius, the former King. Teiresias knows that Oedipus is the killer being sought. He also knows Oedipus’s parents. In a prophecy, he revealed that the murderer of Laius; \u201cwill turn out to be the brother of the children in his house\u2014their father, too, both at once, and the husband and the son of the very woman who gave birth to him\u201d (Sophocles 550-560.18). Teiresias is also aware that Oedipus will lose his sight. Also, although Teiresias is blind, he is considered a symbol of truth. The entire Kingdom of Thebes knew Teiresias as a prophet who consistently foretold the truth. For instance, Teiresias is described by the chorus leader as; \u201c\u2026our god-like prophet, in whom the truth resides more so than in all men\u201d (350-360.12). This sentiment indicates that people in the Kingdom saw Teiresias as a beacon of hope and truth. Thus, it can be concluded that Teiresias’ physical blindness symbolizes light, truth, and knowledge of the events as they occur<\/p>\n
Secondly, although Oedipus has eyesight, he is living in darkness and does not know the truth about himself and his past. Confirming this statement, Teiresias tells Oedipus that; \u201cyou have your eyesight, and you do not see how miserable you are, or where you live, or who it is who shares your household\u201d (490-500.16). It is clear that when Oedipus killed Laius, he did not know that he was his father. This was due to a lack of knowledge about his family. He confessed that he had killed a stranger who insulted him. Confirming that he did not know whether he had killed his father, he goes ahead to ask; \u201cIf that stranger was somehow linked to Laius, who is now more unfortunate than me? (970-980.33). Thus, from the play it is evident that despite Oedipus having his eyesight, he is in darkness and does not know the truth about his past.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Oedipus is in darkness since he failed to foresee his fate despite the prophet’s warning. When Teiresias attempts to explain his vision to Oedipus, he is rebuffed and accused of banding together with Oedipus\u2019 brother-in-law, Crepon. Here, Oedipus asks him \u201c is this something Creon has devised, or is it your invention?\u201d (451.15). Oedipus initially rejects the prophet’s claim that he killed his father. He asks Teiresias for the second time what he has said. Teiresias again tells him that he is the man who murdered Laius. Enraged, Oedipus tells him, “That\u2019s twice you\u2019ve stated that disgraceful lie\u2014something you\u2019ll regret\u201d (430-440.15). The fact that he denies the act is an indication that he is in darkness. Also, since Oedipus does not recognize Teiresias\u2019 prophesy is an indication that he was ignorant of the truth that had been presented to him. After Oedipus refuses to embrace the truth (the light), which Teiresias presents to him in the form of a prophecy, in the end, he physically blinds himself taking away his eyesight. This symbolizes physical darkness. Oedipus chooses to go blind only because he is astonished that events that occurred are what the prophet had warned him about in the prophecy. If it were not for ignorance, Oedipus would have acknowledged Teiresias\u2019 prophecy.<\/p>\n
The theme of sight and blindness is presented as a metaphor where it symbolizes darkness, truth, and ignorance. Teiresias, who is physically blind, is used to depict light and knowledge and is aware of the truth. He knows who murdered King Laius and is also aware that about Oedipus family. He also knows that Oedipus will lose his sight. On the other hand, even though Oedipus has eyesight, he lives in darkness and does not know the truth about himself and his past. He is not aware that he killed his father, Laius, and describes him as a stranger. Also, Oedipus is in darkness since, despite the prophet’s warning, he did not foresee his fate. Thus, based on the theme of sight and blindness, it can be inferred that physical blindness does not deter someone from being in the light and knowing what is happening around them. <\/p>\n
Works Cited<\/p>\n
Sophocles, E. A.\u00a0Oedipus the king. Translated by Ian Johnson : Vancouver Island University Nanaimo, BC, Canada, 2015.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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