What purpose does this serve? How is Oedipus contrasted with Teiresias? How does Oedipus at the beginning of the play contrast with the Oedipus at the end? Why is his blinding himself dramatically appropriate?
A: The physical conditions of sight and blindness in the play serve symbolic functions, particularly as these conditions manifest themselves in Oedipus himself. Oedipus begins the play by being physically sighted, but he is blind in terms of knowledge. He does not know the whole truth about his heritage. Nor does he make the connection between the murder of Jocasta's husband, his subsequent marriage to her, and the prophesy he is trying to avoid. In this way, he is mentally blind to the truth of his situation.
Teiresias, on the other hand, is physically blind, but has insight into the truth of situations, as well as the future. The Chorus Leader characterizes him as a man of insight that can help Oedipus to find the truth: "Our lord Teiresias,/I know, can see into things, like lord Apollo." (l. 334-335). As such, he therefore warns Oedipus not to pursue his search for the truth, as it could only lead to disaster. Oedipus on the other hand is blind to the true extent of the impending disaster, and ignores Teiresias' advice. In this way, he is the opposite of the old prophet: he is a young king who is physically sighted but mentally blind, while Teiresias is physically blind, but mentally sighted. The same contrast is seen between the Oedipus in the beginning of the play and the king at the end. At the beginning, he is physically sighted,...
He is oblivious, despite the warnings of the prophet and the Chorus, not only to the truth of his situation, but also to the truth of the warnings. The audience may suspect that Oedipus is deliberately blind in this regard. In this sense, his final action is dramatically appropriate. It is as if physical and mental sight cannot exist together. Oedipus finds his knowledge of the truth unbearable and blinds himself symbolically to demonstrate his desperate wish for the mental blindness that is lost to him forever: "Don't tell me what I've done is not the best./and from now on spare me your advice. / if I could see, I don't know how my eyes/could look at my own father when I come / to Hades or could see my wretched mother. / Against those two I have committed acts / so vile that even if I hanged myself / that would not be sufficient punishment." (l. 1615-1622). Furthermore, by blinding himself, Oedipus is deprived of all the privileges that were his during his sighted life. He can no longer rule as king, for example, and he loses his children and his wife. He enters a life of powerlessness that is completely in contrast with the life he had before he knew the truth.
The dramatic appropriateness of this act lies in the symbolism of Oedipus' self-imposed blindness. In blinding himself, Oedipus gives up not only his physical sight, but everything that was associated with his mental blindness. He gives up his kingship and his family, as well as his sense of self-respect. This is the dramatic tragedy of his quest for the truth.
