In the play “Antigone” written by Sophocles, Teiresias, an old, blind, wise man, appears briefly but his presence is of great significance. Teiresias’ presence in this play affects different themes and the development of other characters.
Teiresias affects different themes within the play. One instance of Teiresias affecting a theme of the play is when he is talking to Creon about his decision to not allow Polyneices to be buried. Teiresias says to Creon, “Why has this sickness struck against the state? Through your decision” (Sophocles 1328). Teiresias says how Creon has caused many of the problems that are occurring in Thebes. In this scene Teiresias affects the theme of wisdom. Teiresias resembles wisdom and truth and when Creon decides to not allow
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This theme of wisdom is affected in Creon’s and Teiresias’s conversation because Creon eventually realizes that his decision was bad and that he affected the lives of the people he loves dearest. After Creon realizes most of his family is dead, he gains the wisdom that Teiresias had showed him, through his own mistakes. Another instance of Teiresias affecting a theme of the play is in the same scene where he is talking to Creon. Teiresias says to Creon, “For you’ve confused the upper and the lower worlds” (Sophocles 1329). This time Teiresias affects the themes of: the laws of man vs. the laws of the Gods and light vs. dark. Teiresias shows Creon that the laws of the gods are more important than the laws of man. Teiresias tells Creon that if he is stubborn and will not change his own law then his family will die. Teiresias also brings out Creon’s hubris because Creon immediately thinks that someone has paid Teiresias to