Blindness, Sight and Eyes in Sophocles Oedipus The King...

The Deeper Meaning of Sight and Eyes in Sophocles Oedipus The King In Sophocles play, Oedipus The King, the continuous references to eyes and sight possess a much deeper meaning than the literal message. These allusions are united with several basic underlying themes. The story contains common Ancient Greek philosophies, including those of Plato and Parmenides, which are often discussed and explained during such references. A third notion is the punishment of those who violate the law of the Gods. The repeated mentioning of sight and eyes signify the numerous ancient Greek beliefs present in the story. During the Theban Trilogy, there are two major philosophical ideals present. The first, and most significant is the ever†¦show more content†¦The other philosophies present come from two people, Parmenides and Plato. Parmenides theorized that things do not change, and therefore that mans senses were inaccurate and unreliable. A blind prophet Tiresius informs Oedipus of what has happened. Abhorred, Oedipus did not even consider that Tiresias was telling the truth. Instead, he accused the soothsayer of lying and insulting him by stating that your riddance is a blessing. (41) Oedipus is truly the blind one, as he restricts himself to the literal meaning of the tale of the oracle. Unwilling to see what was before him, the overwhelming evidence of his crimes, Oedipus looked for others to blame. Another parallel to being sighted, but blind, is present in Platos Myth of The Cave. Just as the cave dwellers did not want to explore the world outside, Oedipus did not want his fate. Oed ipus is the cave dweller and Tiresius is the enlightened one who cast off his fetters and sees the true world, the world of ideas. Punishment is another element in Hellenistic life. For attempting to escape his destiny, Oedipus is punished by Apollo. However, Oedipus goes beyond what the Gods decreed by blinding himself and then leaving Thebes in exile. The city and even more, his children, are only reminders of his malfeasance. Leaving Thebes is also an attempt to distance himselfShow MoreRelatedSight And Blindness In Oedipus The King789 Words   |  4 PagesCaleb Cho Ms. Kim English 373H 5-October- 2017 Tension Between â€Å"Sight† and â€Å"Blindness† Essay - Rough Draft Deep in the forest lived a blind man named Carl. Once a week Carl would travel to the nearest city to buy supplies and food. One day, a young boy decided to play a trick on Carl, the boy would catch a bug, and then ask if the bug was alive or dead. If Carl said â€Å"alive† the boy would crush the bug and show Carl the bug was dead. If Carl answered â€Å"dead† the boy would let the bug fly away, aliveRead MoreSight in Oedipus the King834 Words   |  4 PagesOnce blind, but Now he Sees: Sight in Oedipus the King Sophocles was a phenomenal writer that captivated his audience with a distinct charm still not yet duplicated by even the best of play-writers today. 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