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Theme Of Sight And Blindness In Oedipus The King

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Sight and blindness are two prevalent themes in the play Oedipus the King by Sophocles. However, these themes of sight and blindness are not in reference to the literal ability, or lack thereof, to see. The themes of sight and blindness are more often in reference to having knowledge or being able to see the truth. Oedipus the King is a crime drama in some sense, where Oedipus takes on the role of detective. Oedipus seeks to find out the truth about the murder of Laius, the previous king of Thebes. In his search, Oedipus ultimately becomes learns the truth but loses his literal sight.
Teiresias’ introduction is the first event that calls forward the themes of sight and blindness and the connection to the truth. The play begins in Thebes where
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