How Does Oedipus The King Symbolism

Symbolism and Theme in Oedipus Rex The ancient Greeks are famous for numerous reasons such as art, philosophy, and their literature. The most widely known literary works from the ancient civilization that prevail to this day are their epic poems. Greek epics are still fairly popular in our society today. Many of these epics attempted to demonstrate an idea to the respective audience. The famous story Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles, is absolutely one of the aforementioned literary works. Throughout the entirety of this epic tragedy, Sophocles uses the dichotomous symbols of sight and blindness to present the idea that ignorance will lead to one's own detriment whilst wisdom will lead an individual to peace. There are numerous examples

In scene one Teiresias’s, a blind seer, is having a discussion with king Oedipus. In this conversation Teiresias states, “Listen to me. You mock my blindness do you? But I say that you with both your eyes are blind: You cannot see the wretchedness of your life, Nor in whose house you live, no nor with whom. Who are your father and mother? Can you tell me? You do not even know the blind wrongs that you have done them, on earth or in the world below” (1. 398-405). The blindness that Teiresias referred to is not literal. This blindness is meant to symbolize Oedipus’s ignorance. Specifically it is his ignorance about who he really is and who his parents were. If Oedipus were not ignorant to this information he would have never become the king and would not search so vigorously for King Laius’s murderer. This ignorance leads to Oedipus’s downfall later in the story. Later in one of the plays

Whereas blindness was symbolic of one's ignorance sight is the symbol of wisdom. Sophocles uses this symbol to further his message that ignorance will lead to one's detriment whilst being wise will lead to peace. In a discussion between Choragos and Oedipus in the second Antistrophe Oedipus states, “Do not counsel me any more. This punishment that i have laid upon myself is just. If I had eyes, I do not know how I could bear the sight of my father, when i came to this house of death, Or my mother: for i have sinned against them both so vilely that I could not make peace by strangling my own life,” (Exodus, 1315-1321). It is at this point that Oedipus is grieving for the results of his actions in the past. He has come to see the results of his previous deeds. It is because of this that he is in pain and is regretful for all that he has caused out of ignorance. If he had been able to see the truth he would have had a chance at a more peaceful life. Oedipus’s pain is mentioned numerous times throughout exodus. The following quote from Oedipus demonstrates this, “O god. Again The pain of the spikes where i had sight the flooding pain of memory never to be gouged out” (Exodus, 1269-1271). This is of course referring to Oedipus’s self blinding that occurred previously. Oedipus’s mention of his sight is both literal and symbolic. The sight is meant to symbolize the revelation