Sight And Vision In Sophocles Oedipus The King

Helen keller was an author, lecturer, and political activist. An impressive list an impressive list of achievements for a woman of the early 20th century. Yet, Helen Keller achieved them all, and did so without the ability to see or hear. This remarkable woman was once quoted as saying, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight, but no vision.” Her quotation plays at the difference between two words often used interchangeably; sight and vision. Although the two words have similar definitions, their connotations are vastly different. Two of Sophocles famous tragedies, Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus, entertain this idea. The characterizations of Oedipus and Tiresias, and the archetype of a blind seer demonstrate clearly the important distinction between sight and vision. The plays challenge us to question whether it is possible to have sight, but no vision, or even vision, with no sight. Sophocles through the medium of his plays suggests that the answer is quite possibly “yes.” The first clue comes from the definitions of the two words. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines both sight and vision as the power to see, but provides the alternate definition for

It is here where we receive a juxtaposition between Oedipus as the young mighty king and Oedipus as the old blind beggar. While Oedipus no longer has the capability to see, it seems his vision is far clearer than before. Oedipus’ mindset is far calmer and wiser than before and his decisions more rational. This version of Oedipus regrets his extreme actions in the end of Oedipus Rex as he has come to the conclusion that what happened was due to fate and not his to control. This rationally is seen when Oedipus condemns Creon for forcing him to stay when he wanted to be banished, and banishing him when he accepted what happened. Just as Tiresias before him, Oedipus’ lack of sight has resulted in far greater