Oedipus Essay, Research Paper

There are many definitions of the word blindness in the dictionary. Two

of them pertain to the story about Oedipus and Teiresias. Both of the men are

blind, but they each possess a different type of blindness. The type of blindness

possessed by Oedipus is probably worse than the type of blindness possessed by

Teiresias.

Blindness, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, can mean one

of two things. The first definition is sightless or complete loss of sight. The

second definition is the inability or unwillingness to perceive or understand. This

definition would be used in a sentence as: one?s blindness to another?s faults.

When I think of the word blindness I think of it in two respects. The first

way is just not being able to see; this is the type of blindness Helen Keller had.

The second way is someone being unwilling to realize something they know will

make them unhappy. I think that the second way can probably be a lot worse

than the first because it may make a person extremely frustrated. Even though

the first definition may also frustrate some people, they could learn to live with

their physical blindness. An emotional blindness would be a lot harder to deal

with.

Oedipus acts very blindly in this story. He does not let himself realize that

he caused Laius? death. He never even lets the thought enter his mind until it is

forced upon him. It is very hard to believe that a king would never inquire about

the preceding king?s death, especially if he is married to that king?s wife.

Oedipus obviously does not give it too much thought. Oedipus also becomes

physically blind, but this physical blindness is caused by his emotional blindness.

His blindness on the outside can not change the blindness on the inside.

Teiresias is physically blind, but unlike Oedipus, is aware of the what

problems are surrounding him. He knows what the outcome will be if he reveals

his knowledge of Laius? killer to the people of Thebes and their rulers. Teiresias

shows great strength of character to be able to say no to the person who rules

him, even if it is for Oedipus? own good. Teiresias does not speak because he

knows it is for the good of the people of Thebes and for King Oedipus.

The type of blindness possessed by Oedipus is probably worse than the

blindness possessed by Teiresias. This is because Teiresias can perceive and

understand things much better than Oedipus. It most likely makes Teiresias very

content, while Oedipus may be very frustrated at not being able to comprehend

things as he should be able to.