Oedipus Rex Riddle

Oedipus Rex, written by Sophocles is a Greek tragedy built on the basis of a riddle given by the maleficent Sphinx, who in Egypt is considered the protector of the three pyramids, however, the perspective given to us by the narrator in this drama allows us to view that it is really a "disease" which plagues, torments and confines the citizens of Thebes. Despite that fact, the Sphinx can represent all that is rational about man, as in the tragedy she chooses to challenge man's thought and intellect by imposing a riddle in which only those who possess the qualities and abilities could solve such as Oedipus, though arrogant and self-confident, he is the only one of those who tried and---died able to unravel the "mystery" the riddle, or so it
The blindness, which Oedipus suffered, made him unable to accept and comprehend that Tiresias, although a blind prophet, can "see" the truth about his king, and yet Oedipus, with his perfect physical sight, cannot see this truth of himself, for he is still ignorant of it. In fact he is so blind that he becomes furious and angry with anyone who is foolish enough to suggest such an idea concerning his destiny. Correspondingly Tiresias plays an important role and is used significantly by Sophocles to shadow the weaknesses of Man by simply showing that although he is physically blind and he has the vision into the future, Man, being represented by Oedipus shows the lack of respect for wise. This is furthered, when he presents the truth to him. In his reaction, Oedipus "attacks" verbally his blindness and tells him that the only reason he is not blaming him is simply because he is blind. Actually, Tiresias uses his blindness to prophesize that Oedipus would leave Thebes blind, poor, and shamed. This statement obviously aggravated Oedipus even more. From this he begins to turn away from the idea of a prophet and seeing into the future. Ironically Tiresias' physical blindness led ultimately to
His past is revealed to him and he learns that the oracle is actually correct despite his bitter previous attacks. Now Oedipus has completed a full circle: he can see all too clearly what the truth is, but he desperately does not want to accept his fate. So, in response, Oedipus commits an act that is devastating, physically but it is a sense of enlightenment spiritually as he blinds himself so that he may not see anymore. Unfortunately, this does not help his problem. Sophocles wanted to show that because he didn't want to accept the situation the way he "saw" it, he decided instead not to see it at all. In addition to this Oedipus becomes physically blind and this is undoubtedly a representation of the last stage of life. Being physically blind he begins to see the errors of his path and ultimately the truth. As the staff is naturally considered the universal symbol of