Tiresias in Oedipus Rex

Tiresias has been a staple in classical literature, a go-to oracle for the ages: his guest appearances range from advising Odysseus in Homer’s The Odyssey to walking the eighth circle of hell in Dante’s Divine Comedy. In Oedipus Rex, however, Tiresias takes on a brief but starring role, portraying the significant themes of sight and truth in a single meeting with the troubled Oedipus.

Motivated by the search for Laius’ murderer, Oedipus seeks Tiresias’ divine aid. At first, Oedipus trusts that Tiresias “canst not see the city, but knowest no less what pestilence visits it” (11), and addresses him with respect, recognizing his ability to communicate with those in heaven and on the earth. Tiresias, reluctant to reveal what he has seen, advises Oedipus that he would rather bear the load of the fulfilled prophecy than “display [Oedipus’] sorrow” (12). Branded a traitor for withholding his knowledge from Oedipus, Tiresias exclaims that Oedipus sees nothing, even in his own home, yet blames him for being blind to the plight of the city. Having had enough of Oedipus’ shortsightedness, Tiresias reveals the truth, simple and clean: Oedipus himself is “the abominable contaminator” (13) of the land. And