The Contributions of Tiresias in Oedipus by Sophocles

In the play Oedipus by Sophocles, Tiresias is a minor character who has a minimal appearance in the play, however, his contribution to the broad perspective of the play is tremendous. He is the holy prophet whom everyone seeks for his wise council including the ruler of Thebes, Oedipus. Oedipus summons Tiresisas to help them discover the murderer of the former King of Thebes, Laius, in order to cease the plague that has swept the …

…accuses Tiresias of being a "purblin man inears and mind and vision" (Sophocles, 37). It is Oedipus whose quest for the truth that blinds him. The degree, however, of Oedipus mental bindesss is contributed to his loyalty to Thebes and his devotion to the truth which in the end brings his own! self-destruction. Not only does Tiresis serve as a character to illlustrate dramatic irony; he also serves to illustrate the theme of blindess. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**