Analysis Of Oedipus The King By Sophocles

Good Morning/Afternoon,
Tiresias, from “Oedipus the King” by the Ancient Greek playwright Sophocles, is a blind prophet and whilst he is only on the stage for a little time he plays a major role by what he does and what he represents. Tiresias enters the play after being summoned by Oedipus to tell him of the murderer of Laius, the recent King. Tiresias for the sake of Oedipus does not tell him the truth at the start saying that “what will come will come. Even if I shroud it all in silence”. In is conversation, Sophocles, uses Tiresias as a turning point in the plot as it is the beginning of Oedipus’ downfall. As well as that Sophocles uses Tiresias to represent many of the key ideas in the play. Tiresias represents the idea of fate and how

When Tiresias walks onto the stage he is a blind, old man needing assistance to stay on his own two feet. He had been summoned by King Oedipus to do as he says and give him answers. The power takes a complete shift in this scene though as Tiresias refuses to answer to Oedipus saying that “it’s better that way, please believe me”. As Oedipus’ anger grows so does Tiresias’ power continue to increase as he continues to defy his King. Eventually Tiresias loses his cool and yells to Oedipus that “you are the curse, the corruption of the land”. At this moment the power shifts due to the shift in blame and responsibility. It has turned from Oedipus blaming Tiresias for not telling him anything and ends with Tiresias holding Oedipus responsible for Thebes’ undoing. Sophocles has used Tiresias to add extra emphasis due to him being blind. How powerful must a blind man be to have to stand up to his mighty King and accuse him of murdering the man of whom he took the throne. This image is what makes Tiresias character so much more of an influential part of the play. This scene between Tiresias and Oedipus is the turning point in the plot and it begins with Oedipus losing his power to Tiresias, the blind