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King Oedipus himself is responsible for his own blindness. He's responsible for his physical blindness. He's the one who plunges his wife and mother's brooches into both eyes.

Oedipus also is responsible for his previous, symbolicblindness. He hears a rumor that he isn't the biological son of Corinthian King Polybus and Queen Merope. He doesn't like their lack of a direct answer to this piece of unsettling gossip.

So Oedipus goes off to consult with the Delphic Oracle. He likes even less what he learns there. He's told of his fate to kill his father and marry his mother.

Oedipus doesn't think to check out the rumor that the Corinthian monarchs aren't his real parents. Instead, he goes tearing off to Thebes, which happens to be his real hometown. On the way, he kills a stranger who's old enough to be his father and whom he resembles. It turns out to be his father, Theban King Laius.

Then Oedipus marries a woman who's old enough to be his mother and with whom he may or may not share similar features or personality quirks. She turns out to be his mother, Theban Queen Jocasta. The possibilities are all there for seeing with the eyes and processing with the mind. But Oedipus is figuratively blind to all.

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What kinds of blindness are there in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Physical and symbol blindness are the kinds of blindness in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, physical blindness is evidenced in the actual blindness of Teiresisas the blind prophet. Symbolic blindness is found in the cluelessness of Theban King Oedipus. Oedipus suffers from a mistaken self-image that causes him not to recognize the truths that are staring him in the face.


Why does Oedipus doubt what Teiresias tells him about the identity of Laius' murderer?

He does not know that the person he killed on the road from Corinth was Laius.


Who is responsible for Oedipus' tragedy in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Oedipus himself as well as those who know of his true identity and keep silent are responsible for Oedipus' tragedy in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is responsible for his downfall because of his murderous acts, passionate outbursts and secretive ways. But he operates at a disadvantage because of his mistaken self-image. Those who have but do not share information as to his true self-identity therefore share in the blame.


Can Oedipus be regarded as responsible for the death and suffering in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Oedipus can be regarded as responsible for the death and suffering in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is responsible for the death of King Laius and four of Laius' five member escort party. He most likely can enter a successful plea of self-defense since he is outnumbered. In fact, Laius and his charioteer behave badly, hurtfully and offensively. Oedipus subsequently becomes responsible for the suffering of his people because of the pestilence brought on by his neglect of mandatory cleansing rituals in the aftermath of his crimes.


Who is responsible for Oedipus murdering his father and marrying his mother in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is Apollo who is responsible for Oedipus murdering his father and marrying his mother according to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus admits that he is killer ignorant of his victim's true identity. He concedes that he is an immoralist likewise ignorant of his wife's true identity. He does not intend his crime and immorality. Oedipus insists that his misdeeds result from divine meddling in human lives.

Related Questions

What kinds of blindness are there in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Physical and symbol blindness are the kinds of blindness in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, physical blindness is evidenced in the actual blindness of Teiresisas the blind prophet. Symbolic blindness is found in the cluelessness of Theban King Oedipus. Oedipus suffers from a mistaken self-image that causes him not to recognize the truths that are staring him in the face.


What are the two most prominent images used in Oedipus the King?

Sight and Blindness


Why does Oedipus doubt what Teiresias tells him about the identity of Laius' murderer?

He does not know that the person he killed on the road from Corinth was Laius.


Who is responsible for Oedipus' tragedy in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Oedipus himself as well as those who know of his true identity and keep silent are responsible for Oedipus' tragedy in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is responsible for his downfall because of his murderous acts, passionate outbursts and secretive ways. But he operates at a disadvantage because of his mistaken self-image. Those who have but do not share information as to his true self-identity therefore share in the blame.


Can Oedipus be regarded as responsible for the death and suffering in 'Oedipus Rex'?

Yes, Oedipus can be regarded as responsible for the death and suffering in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus is responsible for the death of King Laius and four of Laius' five member escort party. He most likely can enter a successful plea of self-defense since he is outnumbered. In fact, Laius and his charioteer behave badly, hurtfully and offensively. Oedipus subsequently becomes responsible for the suffering of his people because of the pestilence brought on by his neglect of mandatory cleansing rituals in the aftermath of his crimes.


Who is responsible for Oedipus murdering his father and marrying his mother in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is Apollo who is responsible for Oedipus murdering his father and marrying his mother according to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus admits that he is killer ignorant of his victim's true identity. He concedes that he is an immoralist likewise ignorant of his wife's true identity. He does not intend his crime and immorality. Oedipus insists that his misdeeds result from divine meddling in human lives.


What does the shepherd reveal to Oedipus?

The shepherd reveals to Oedipus that he was the one who rescued him as a baby after he was abandoned on Mount Cithaeron. He also discloses the truth about Oedipus's origins, confirming that he is the biological son of Laius and Jocasta, thus fulfilling the prophecy that Oedipus would kill his father and marry his mother. This revelation leads to a tragic realization for Oedipus, culminating in his profound despair and self-inflicted blindness.


How fully does Oedipus accept responsibility for what he does in 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is not at all fully that Oedipus accepts responsibility for what he does in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus ends up having to step down as king of Thebes. He is the killer of his father and sovereign as well as the husband of his own mother. He maintains that Apollo the god of prophecy is responsible for Oedipus' criminal acts and immoral behavior. He says that he is responsible only for blinding himself.


What is ironic about Oedipus appeal to Tiresias?

Oedipus's appeal to Tiresias is ironic because he seeks the blind prophet's insight into his own fate while being blind to the truth of his situation. Oedipus is confident in his ability to uncover the murderer of King Lauis, yet he is oblivious to the fact that he himself is that murderer. His reliance on Tiresias, who sees the truth despite his physical blindness, highlights Oedipus's own intellectual blindness and hubris in thinking he can solve the mystery. This dramatic irony emphasizes the tragic fate that unfolds as he uncovers his true identity.


How is Teiresias' blindness relevant to Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he is blind but sees the truth is the reason why Teiresias' blindness is relevant to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet is the royal advisor to every Theban king since the city's founding by King Cadmus. He knows the entire past, present and future of Thebes through his innate wisdom and through skilled reading of ritual sacrifices. He manages to be so insightful despite being blind whereas the sighted Theban King Oedipus cannot see the murder and incest that are staring him right in the face.


How does Oedipus explain his ordeal and present circumstances to the chorus in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That it is Apollo who ruins his life but that it is he himself who ruins his sight is the way in which Oedipus explains his ordeal and present circumstances in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus loses his friends, home, jobs and reputation for criminal acts and immoral behavior. He objects to the preceding happening to him since he indeed kills his father and marries his mother, but in ignorance of his or their true identities. Oedipus observes that his criminal acts and immoral behavior result from Apollo's relentless carrying out of the prophesied fate of the Furies. At the same time, he states that his blindness is the sole act that throws him into misery for which he alone is responsible.


What research has been done on night blindness?

Congenital night blindness. This is an inherited, stable disease in which persons suffer from night blindness. Recent advances in gene mapping have identified several mutations responsible for this form of night blindness.