Summary:
Analyzes the concept of blindness in Sophocles' play Oedipus the King. Discusses the difference between Oedipus and Tiresias in terms of their blindness. Evaluates Oedipus's change in character since the beginning of the play and the appropriateness of his self-blinding action.
Sophocles focuses on character over plot to propel the storyline to its climax. He develops personality and dialogue more than he addresses physical actions. If the character speeds up, the plot does also--and vice versa. Through his effective use of the chorus to reveal reflective emotion as well as his use of contrasting personalities to reveal tension, Sophocles controls every movement of the play and keeps his audience alert. Although viewers know the story inside and out, they watch the play countless times over just to see the intense dramatic effect of irony. The play abounds with images of sight and blindness, which add to the dramatic irony to heighten the audience's attention to the complex situation. Oedipus's downfall is a result of his blindness. He suffers initially from only a metaphorical blindness but later acquires.....
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