Question

Identify two instances of figurative language from the Fourth Stasimon of "Oedipus the King" and explain what they mean and why they are significant.

Answer 1

The dominant metaphors are light vs. darkness, and sight vs. blindness.  A reference to this metaphor occurs early in the play, when Oedipus falsely accuses Tiresias and Creon of conspiracy. Tiresias responds by using the same metaphor. Though at this point the reader cannot be sure which character is right, eventually Tiresias comes out the winner.  This is revealed as Oedipus learns his tragic fate. This causes the king to gouge out his eyes, which have been blind to the truth for so long. The idea of sight is critical in Oedipus the King.  Though Tiresias is physically blind, he sees the truth from the beginning, while Oedipus, who has physical eyesight, is blind to his fate.  By the end, Oedipus makes his eyes blind when he learns the truth and finally sees.