The Metaphor of Sight in "Oedipus Rex"

Paper Summary:

Discussion of how Sophocles allows the characters of "Oedipus Rex" to use the ideas of sight and blindness in a physical sense to make suggestions about the metaphorical blindness of Oedipus.

From the Paper:

"A tragedy like Sophocles' Oedipus The King makes use of many literary metaphors that have contributed to the significance of the Oedipus series in the history of drama. The metaphors of sight and prophecy that exist throughout the play are the primary metaphors at work and Sophocles makes use of the concept of sight from the first scene of the play. The beginning of the play features the Priest of Zeus bidding Oedipus to save the city from certain ruin. In particular, he refers to Oedipus as "greatest in all men's eyes" (ln. 40) and suggests that Oedipus might hear a wise word from some god or even a man (ln 43-4) that will aid him in his quest to save the city. The priest's suggestion that Oedipus will hear, rather than see, something is significant because Oedipus frequently alludes to sight and blindness throughout the play. These references create many moments of dramatic irony because of Oedipus's metaphorical blindness to the inherent flaws in his own character that bring about his ruin."

More papers on The Metaphor of Sight in "Oedipus Rex":

• Analytical Essay # 6310 : "Oedipus Rex"
• Analytical Essay # 135825 : "The Role of Servant in "Oedipus the King"
• Analytical Essay # 133199 : "Sophoclean Oedipus Complex in "Oedipus Rex" Painting"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: