Comparing Light And Dark In Sophocles Oedipus The King

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In Sophocles’ greek tragedy “Oedipus the King”, the contrast between light and dark was an overriding motif throughout the downfall of Oedipus. These are symbolic for both the good and evil, and sight opposing blindness, as light is needed in order for sight to be obtained and vice versa. An example of this would be prior to the quest for vengeance upon the one who murdered Laius, late king of Thebes, when Oedipus exclaims that he will “bring it all to the light (himself)” (150), alluding to the thought that he would allow the city to see who had angered the Gods and brought the city into despair. Tiresias is another example of this, as he is a blind prophet who can only see “with the eyes of Lord Apollo” (323) and is accused to be “lost in

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