The art is an Athenian play that was performed in ages approximated to be 429 BC. , Oh, look upon the city, see the storm that batters down this citys prow in waves of blood (pg 5). The two devices he used in his side of the speech allowed him to gain more of the citys trust in him, and have them rely on how serious he is about this matter. In the story Tiresias knows all. Realizing that he has killed his father and married his mother, Oedipus is agonized by his fate. The play isnt really about the plague, it is about Oedipus. The story of Oedipus was well known to the athenians. Do you know? He is left in mental turmoil and decay as his unknown, corrupt and immoral past is slowly revealed during his quest to find the culprit who murdered King Laius. Likewise, authors have their own sense of style in writing. In a rage, Oedipus declares that Tiresias and Creon must be plotting against him. Read about the related motif of burial in Homers The Iliad. (2016, Jun 28). Eggy,High School, 11th grade,A+, Both metaphorically and physically sight plays a significant role in understanding the irony of a blind man seeing the truth while Oedipus who isnt blind doesnt seem to the truth thats right in front of him. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. The first one is that the city is like a ship on bloody waves. As an incentive, the king promises leniency exile, not death to the murderer and a reward to anyone providing information. You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, to the house you live in, Oedipus is famed for his clear-sightedness and quick comprehension, but he discovers that he has been blind to the truth for many years, and then he blinds himself so as not to have to look on his own children/siblings. This seemsproves to be his fatal flaw during the play. In this play, the chorus represents the elder citizens of Thebes, reacting to the events of the play. Thus the idea In "Oedipus The King" by Sophocles, we see a man, Oedipus, who can see but cannot see at the same time. which represents truth and knowledge, is present. 3 pages 49 Nov/2003 4.2 As a result; he gains too much pride and confidence and starts to believe he is impalpable. You with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, to the house you live in, those you live with-who are your parents? In "Oedipus The King" by Sophocles, we see a man, Oedipus, who can see but cannot see at the same time. Over time, Oedipus's blindness shows him the lack of knowledge he knew about his true life story. An oracle warned Laius, the king of Thebes prior to Oedipus, that his son would murder him. In Oedipus Rex by Sophocles it is easy to see how blindness affects the transition of the story. And yet the tension heightens when the prophecy evokes Oedipus' fury, leading to the angry confrontation between the prophet and the king. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Homer related that Oedipus's wife and mother hanged herself when the truth of their relationship became known, though Oedipus apparently continued to rule at Thebes until his death. (one code per order). For example, Shakespeare's ways of writings are different from Sophocles's with maybe their use of metaphors or imageries. Additionally, the passage adds to the mystery of the plot and creates suspense, through Sophocles use of paradox, and imagery which cause the mood to change and creates a compelling story.