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Teiresias In Oedipus The King

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Teiresias is an important character in all greek tragedies. Although he is blind, he has the vision of the gods and sees far more than the average humans. When in need, both Oedipus and Odysseus turn to Teiresias for advice. Oedipus first welcomes Teiresias with many compliments “Teiresias, you are versed in everything, things teachable and things not to be spoken, things of the heaven and earth-creeping things. You have no eyes but in your mind you know…” (Sophocles 439). As he hears the truth from Teiresias, Oedipus refuses to see or accept the truth and in turn, insults the prophet and makes fun of his blindness, even though he praised it before hearing the truth “It has, but not for you; it has no strength for you because you are blind in mind and …show more content…

Odysseus on the other hand, listens to Teiresias “Great captain, a fair wind and the honey lights of home are all you seek. But anguish lies ahead… Avoid those kine, hold fast to your intent, and hard seafaring brings you all to Ithaka…” (Homer 188). Teiresias assures Odysseus that he will return home and warns him of the hardships to come. Teiresias also offers advice on how to make amends with Poseidon. He is advised to make an offering to Poseidon “a ram, a bull, a great buck boar… Then a seaborne death soft as those hand of mist will come upon when you are wearied out with rich old age, your country folk in blessed peace around you…” (Homer 189). Odysseus follows Teiresias’ advice to journey out to the sea and correct his mistakes and plans to leave after reuniting with his wife “My dear, we have not won through to the end, One trial--I do not know how long--is left for me to see fulfilled…” (Homer 437). Both men turn to the blind all-knowing prophet for advice and both men deal with Teiresias’ words differently--Oedipus turns a blind eye to his words and insults him whereas Odysseus listens to the prophet and follows what he

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