The Many Functions of Tiresias in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex

The Many Functions of Tiresias in Sophocles' Oedipus Rex

The minor role of Tiresias fulfills several chief purposes in

Sophocles' Oedipus Rex, all of which are necessary in guiding the play

through to its tragic ending and the completion of the prophecies.

Tiresias primarily functions as the catalyst ultimately responsible

for the provocation of Oedipus' venomous jealousy, a vital factor in

the play's progression. The calm and confident Tiresias also acts as a

foil for Oedipus through his dramatic difference in character, which

allows the reader to see Oedipus for who he really is and realize that

it was he who brought about his own downfall. Lastly, the wise prophet

who functions as an authoritative father figure to the

authority-threatened king (Lesser 147-148) helps make the motif of

fathers, all of whom Oedipus sees as threats, evident.

This motif of father figures is strongly supported by Tiresias,

unveiling one of the prophet's main functions in the play. The motif

of father figures in the play is significant due to the fact that

Oedipus is known primarily for killing his father and marrying his

mother (after which the "Oedipus complex" is named) as both of the

prophecies foretold; it only makes sense that Oedipus would in some

way rebel against all of the father figures in the play. The wise and

respected prophet represents one of the most threatening of these

father figures to Oedipus (Lesser 147). Tiresias always acts calmly,

confidently and with authority, specific qualities of the archetypal

father, and according to Lesser, both Creon and Tiresias had

attributes which would have led Oedipus to look upon them as fathers"

(Lesser 147). While the king may not see Tiresias as a literal father,

there is evidence that he sees many of the prophet's qualities with

jealous contempt, thus stirring his intrinsic hostility (Lesser 148).

Oedipus consciously feels threatened by both Tiresias and Creon; they

both are highly respected and in addition possess qualities that

Oedipus does not, qualities that frustrate the unprivileged king:

The way Oedipus speaks to Tiresias and Creon suggests another source

of his tendency to regard them as fathers and then feel envious and

hostile toward them. Both men have personal qualities which are not

native to Oedipus and which he cannot assume for long. (Lesser 148)

Many of Oedip...

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...ered the man whose murderer you require."

This intensely incites Oedipus' anger, which causes the second half of

the play to begin. Oedipus, bent on disproving Tiresias' words, sets

out even more intently to learn the truth about both the murder of

Laius, and later about his own heritage, all in response to the

conversation he has had with the prophet. The role of Tiresias thusly

functions as the catalyst responsible for thrusting the second half of

the play into motion by driving Oedipus on his quest to discover the

truth about Laius' demise, which, in turn, finally leads to Oedipus'

thirst for the truth about his own past.

The inventive, multifaceted role of Tiresias is essential to the

play's thematic scheme, clarity, and plot. Tiresias is used as a

building block that helps support the motif of father figures

throughout the play. He is used as a foil to assist the reader in

clearly recognizing and distinguishing Oedipus' significant character

traits, and finally, Tiresias is used to advance the plot as the

primary catalyst responsible for the events leading to the tragic

ending. The author's ingenious use of this role was both clever and

extremely effective.