The Motif Of Light And Darkness In Oedipus The King

Sight is the ability to see beyond the surface of things, not just the openings of your eyes. The motif of light and darkness in the passage, Oedipus the King, clearly describes one’ s inability to envision the best of something. Sophocles presents Oedipus as a seemingly powerful and virtuous man bursting with great strength. Ever since Oedipus had defeated the Sphinx, it became apparent that this was the King that the Thebans have been pleading for. Only a great King can effortlessly assert themselves in a dominant manner over others, on the contrary, Oedipus had pushed it to the point where he overlooks the thoughts of smart individuals. As an unfortunate result, he was constantly becoming ever more blind throughout the passage. In Oedipus

Briefly following, Oedipus goes on to explain his perspective of Thebes saying, ‘"for what the light of the day has spared that darkness of night destroys”’ (Sophocles 198). Oedipus knows that the darkness that the city encounters and figures that he could help save it. After defeating the Sphinx and 15 years as being the King, Oedipus faces his first conflict; what man is responsible for the death of Laius? The immense pressure that the King of Thebes faces daily, Oedipus is frantic and reluctant to figure out the murderous man. They believe that Tiresias, the wandering blind prophet, might have a clue to the crime. Tiresias has been wandering the countryside and knows of a guilty suspect. The people of Thebes hear Tiresias repeating a common phrase, ‘“the truth will come to light, without my help”’(341). He is saying that the people of Thebes will find out the dark truth hidden behind this murder. Oedipus mocks and denies Tiresias due to his blindness, unknowingly turning a blind eye to the power of Tiresias’ divine sight. Oedipus has overlooked the divine sight that Tiresias withholds and denies that Tiresias is the hand of Apollo. The arrogance that Oedipus is presenting after Tiresias has accused him as the murder, furthermore the king is struck back in the belief, ‘“It is – excepting you; for you are blinding your ears and eyes and brains and everything”’

After Iocasta figures out that the King has been killed at the crossroads by his son, she fearfully reveals, ‘“I greatly fear that the profit was not blind, ‘” (748), Strongly believing everything that the Profit displayed was valid. Everything in Iocasta’s mind starts to piece together and make sense and this terrifying realization. She believed that the prophet had not been true after all after finding out Polybus has died, the apparent father of Oedipus, and she says; “yet there is comfort with your father’s death quote’” (987). A huge burden is lifted off of Iocasta’s shoulders after the significant news. Ironically, the worst news has yet to strike anyone. After the Corinthian’s further explains the past about Oedipus, It is clear that the oracles or true. When Iocasta finds out the overall truth about her past history, she says, “oh man of doom! For no other name can I address you now or ever more’” (1071). Both Oedipus and Iocasta have been blinded their whole life, never able to be convinced that Oedipus is fulfilled his predestined prophecy. Considering that Iocasta has blindly lived her whole life by marrying her own son, everything Oedipus was destined to for, became a reality. Unable to kill himself, Oedipus forcefully stabs his eyeballs out, physically blinding himself forever. He then states, it’s ‘“far better to be dead than to be