Tiresias

In Sophocoles' Oedipus The King, Oedipus, the king of Thebes, calls upon Tiresias to aid in the investigation of the killing of the previous king Laius. At first, Tiresias refuses to give a direct answer because he did not want Oedipus to feel burden and instead hints that the killer is someone Oedipus really does not wish to find. However, after being provoked to anger by Oedipus' blaming that he has no foresight and then that Tiresias had had a hand in the murder, he reveals that in fact it was Oedipus himself who had (unwittingly) committed the crime. Feeling angriness, Oedipus throws him out of the palace, but then afterwards realises the truth.

Although, Tiresias is blind but actually he got the ability to predict the future. Even though, Oedipus can see but he is actually blind to see the true in front of him. Tiresias knew everything about the murderer of Laius but he still remains calm and not reveals the true. Oedipus is the person who provoked him on telling the truth yet at the end it’s make him in such of big mess.

Tiresias reveals to the reader that to see physically does not mean that you can see mentally, as Oedipus clearly displays towards his past and his fate. Irony is displayed throughout Oedipus Rex and is ultimately displayed by Tiresias. Tiresias, even though completely blind physically, can see the “wretchedness” of Oedipus’ life. On the other hand, Oedipus, who has complete use of his sight, is totally blind to his past and his fate.