Symbols And Metaphors Of Oedipus The King - 958 Words

The story of Oedipus the King have many symbols and metaphors that can be interpreted differently from person to person. There are many metaphors that are used as symbols in Oedipus the King, which includes sight and blindness, self-affliction, and the three way crossroad. These are the three main symbols that were used in the story, and sight means knowledge, self-affliction stems from a sense of guilt, and the three way crossroad stands for decisions. The symbol of vision is a big component of the story of Oedipus. There are several situations where vision is presented in this story and it is a symbol of knowledge. The blind man that told Oedipus that he would kill his father had knowledge about something that Oedipus did not. Although the blind man could not visually see, he had knowledge that allowed him to see Oedipus’ future through a prophecy. Oedipus had the ability to see and was warned by others and did not take the advice that was offered by others. As a result, he cut his eyes out because of the awful things that he did. The use of blindness and sight was a symbol that was used throughout the story. Some of the characters lacked the ability to see, but they had the knowledge instead. Although Tiresias was blind, he could see more about reality than most of the other characters. He was compensated for being blind with his gift of prophecy. Oedipus has excellent vision, but is blind to the truth because he does not accept the words of the prophet. HeShow MoreRelatedLiterary Devices In Oedipus The King By Sophocles810 Words   |  4 Pages400 B.C. Sophocles, a Greek dreamer, wrote the story, â€Å"Oedipus the King†. One might think that a story that old may be boring or poorly written, but in fact it is very descriptive and entertaining. Sophocles even employs different literary devices to enhance the themes throughout the story. Some of these techniques includes: metaphor, personification, imagery, symbolism, tone, meter, setting, and diction. Even though Sophocles uses metaphors during the story, the main subjects being compared areRead MoreNoting Details1540 Words   |  7 Pagesby Sopocles is characterization. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles used characterization to portray Oedipus as the tragic hero. A third literary device used in the play is flashback, which is where the story switches from the present to an event that occurred in the past. The most important literary device in the play is dramatic irony. It is frequently used throughout most of the play. For example, when Creon tells Oedipus about the gods curse on Thebes, Oedipus puts his own curse on the murderer ofRead MoreReview Of Oedipus The King 1394 Words   |  6 PagesMotif in Oedipus the King Sophocles’ writing style in the play, Oedipus the King, offers incredible insight into the ways that authors utilize recurring symbols to create motif in their plays and writings. This particular play uses a blend of irony, wit, and metaphor to create a literary motif. Sophocles explores the literal aspects of sight and blindness, in the form of knowledge and oblivion. Through recurring symbols of sight and blindness, both literal and metaphorical, Sophocles creates a motifRead More William Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King1362 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Though Shakespeares’ Hamlet and Sophocles’ Oedipus the King were written in two different eras, echoes of the latter can be found in the former. The common theme of Hamlet and Oedipus the King is regicide. Also, like in Oedipus the King, there is a direct relationship between the state of the state and the state of their kings. Furthermore, there is also a relationship between Oedipus’ armed entrance into the bedroom in which JocastaRead MoreTheme Of Sight And Blindness In Oedipus797 Words   |  4 PagesSphinx.When Oedipus finally sees the terrible truth of his life, Sophocles hammers home his metaphor by having the king stab out his own eyes. Oedipus says he does this because he can no longer look on the horrors that his unwitting actions have created. With this most famous of gougings, Oedipus literally becomes the thing hes always metaphorically been: blind. At the end of the play, Oedipus becomes symbolic of all of humanity, stumbling fo rward The Scars on Oedipuss Feet When Oedipus was threeRead MoreEssay on Oedipus and Hamlet1424 Words   |  6 PagesProfessor Mihailovic 5-14-01 Though Shakespeares Hamlet and Sophocles Oedipus the King were written in two different eras, echoes of the latter can be found in the former. The common theme of Hamlet and Oedipus the King is regicide. Also, like in Oedipus the King, there is a direct relationship between the state of the state and the state of their kings. Furthermore, there is also a relationship between Oedipus armed entrance into the bedroom in which Jocasta hanged herself, and HamletsRead More The Search for Truth in Anton Chekhovs The Cherry Orchard and Sophocles Oedipus Rex1281 Words   |  6 PagesAn ignorant person is so confident they comprehend the truth, that they are blind to the greater truth. Anton Chekhov and Sophocles deal with the idea of this sinful pride that leads to ignorance in their respective works, The Cherry Orchard and Oedipus Rex. In each drama, certain characters are slapped in the face with the truth; the light is revealed. However, these characters make the connection when it i s too late. Their destruction is already destined to become a reality, a horrid fate thatRead MoreAnalysis of Oedipus the King Essays1825 Words   |  8 PagesThe tale of Oedipus and his prophecy has intrigued not only the citizens of Greece in the ancient times, but also people all over the world for several generations. Most notable about the play was its peculiar structure, causing the audience to think analytically about the outcomes of Oedipus’ actions and how it compares with Aristotle’s beliefs. Another way that the people have examined the drama is by looking at the paradoxes (such as the confrontation of Tiresias and Oedipus), symbols (such as theRead MoreThe Quality Of Self Reliance953 Words   |  4 Pagesand everything happened or would happen in their life is also pre-set by the Gods. Plebeian were often restrained by such a typical perception, therefore they insisted that life was controlled by their own destiny, which was unable to deny. Though Oedipus and Socrates demonstrated their wisdom that was superior than the Plebeians when facing puzzles, the types of wisdom they possessed were different to some extent, and this is the main factor that caused different experience in their later life. TheRead MoreLacan once said, in an unpublished seminar, â€Å"the Oedipus Complex is a dream of Freud† (Felman,1600 Words   |  7 Pages Lacan once said, in an unpublished seminar, â€Å"the Oedipus Complex is a dream of Freud† (Felman, 1034). It is a questionable theory and a so-called ‘dream’ because Sigmund Freud developed the Oedipus complex in such a way that allowed him to stand as an example of his own theory. It begins with what Freud would call ‘introspection’; the analysis of one’s self. He developed terms to use in his psychoanalysis; terms that divide the self and attempt to explain aspects of the human personality. Adding