Teiresias is one of the important characters in Oedipus Rex. He is the person who is responsible in predicting Oedipus’ fate. He is an expert in prophecy but Oedipus did not believe him at first before he found out the truth. Oedipus under estimated Teiresias and mocked for his blindness. Although Teiresias is a blind man, he is only blind for his sight, but he has a very great intuition in predicting people’s fate. His talent was seen after all prophecies about Oedipus are happened. Oedipus cannot deny anymore for Teiresias’ wisdom because he was the one who is blind. So, don’t mock for people’s blindness, but be cautious of our own blindness.
Oedipus Rex..
My children, generations of the living
In the line of Kadmos, nursed at his ancient hearth:
In supplication, with your boughs and garlands?
The breath of incense rises from the city
With a sound of prayer and lamentation.
- The Origin of Oedipus the King
My children, latest born to Cadmus old,
Why sit ye here as suppliants, in your hands
Branches of olive filleted with wool?
What means this reek of incense everywhere,
And everywhere laments and litanies?
-has been told in a story-telling fashion
In the line of Kadmos, nursed at his ancient hearth:
In supplication, with your boughs and garlands?
The breath of incense rises from the city
With a sound of prayer and lamentation.
- The Origin of Oedipus the King
My children, latest born to Cadmus old,
Why sit ye here as suppliants, in your hands
Branches of olive filleted with wool?
What means this reek of incense everywhere,
And everywhere laments and litanies?
-has been told in a story-telling fashion
Monday, February 25, 2008
Teiresias..
Posted by o N e ' N e Y at 8:51 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Yes, you are correct about Teiresias because I have the same thought as you are. To me whether we are blind or not, what is important is not things that can be seen with naked eyes, but our intuition. Another thing about Teiresias is that he is a prophet who can see the future and the past of anyone including the king himself.
Besides, we also cannot escape from our fate and we must be prepared for it. As you said, do not mock others for his or her inability.
Hi Waniey..
I agree with you about the importance of Teiresias as one of the character in Oedipus Rex. It is true that he is the first man that reveals the truth about Thebes' king, Oedipus. However, I'm quite disagree when you say that "His talent was seen after all prophecies about Oedipus are happened." I'm focusing on the word 'talent' here. I don't think that being a prophet as talented. In my opinion, Teiresias is a really pure and holy prophet, not because of his talent but because it is a gift from God, which we as a normal human cannot have although we are talented enough in reading others' fate. In other word, Teiresias becomes a prophet because he is the chosen one, not because of his talent.
Post a Comment