Darkness And Blindness In Sophocles 'Oedipus The King'

Throughout Oedipus Rex, Sophocles utilizes one metaphor: light vs. darkness, and blindness vs. sight. Sight and light are often associated with light and intelligence, blindness however is associated with darkness and ignorance. Oedipus, a sighted man is metaphorically blind and a blind man is sighted in ways that Oedipus is not. Whether a person is able to avoid their fate is due to the ability to “see” and understand. The inability to see his own fate and downfall was also due to the fact that he was unwilling to “see”. Oedipus is known for his keen insight and ability to interpret meanings. Though Sophocles never specifically writes the famous riddle, it is referenced as the reason that Oedipus is now King of Thebes. He was able to use intelligence to come to the answer. He is always on the quest for the answer and the truth. However he is not able to figure out the riddle to

It can also be said that Oedipus was unwilling to “see” what kind of trouble he is in. When the messenger is telling the story of Oedipus, Jocasta begs him not to continue digging. Oedipus somehow comes up with the brilliant idea that he is the son of slaves and not the murderer of Laius. This whole conversation comes after he has already discovered that he killed Laius at the crossroads. He is completely “blind” to the fate that has already come true despite the appalling amount of evidence he already has. He is unwilling to realize what is happening.

When he finally realizes who he is and what he has become, he takes the broaches off of the dead Jocasta’s chest and blinds himself with them, saying “Why should I see whose vision showed me nothing sweet to see?” He essentially is punishing himself. He can no longer bare the sight of his children and the pain he has caused everyone. He becomes what he has metaphorically been the entire